Ahmad Bakdad – Council Member

Ahmad Bakdad was elected as an IPB Council member in October 2025, after working with IPB as Assistant Coordinator.

He is from Syria, he is committed to promoting child rights and gender equality, and supporting vulnerable communities, particularly children and women. Dedicated Safeguarding & Protection practitioner and project manager, specialized in capacity building and policy development for child protection & safeguarding, investigations, humanitarian aid, and community-based protection initiatives.

Holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Law and legal practice authorization. With 7+ years of national and international professional humanitarian, Community development, advocacy, global campaigns, and peace-building experiences.

Amani Aruri – Council Member

Amani Aruri was re-elected as an IPB Council member in October 2025, after serving a first term from 2022.

Amani has developed skills and capacities in the fields of social transformation, community activism, human rights, peace and security, advocacy, national dialogue and peace mediation to advance gender equality, economic wellbeing, social justice and human rights agendas at the national, regional and global levels.

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Eskil M. Grav – Council Member

Eskil Grav was re-elected as an IPB Council member in October 2025, after serving a first term from 2022.

He is a member of the IPB family,  and active in the fields of peacebuilding and disarmament. He has past experience working in community and peacebuilding activities in both Tanzania and Lebanon, and a has a background in Human Security Theory. Eskil is currently the Parliamentary Ombud for Scrutiny of the Public Administration in Oslo, Norway.

Esset Samatova – Council Member

Esset Samatova was re-elected as an IPB Council member in October 2025, after serving a first term from 2022.

She is an experienced psychologist and activist from Russia, who since 2011 has been active in the fields of human rights, democratic values, peace and non-violent communication aiming at a more peaceful country through cooperation and cultural exchange. She holds a Bachelor degree in Psychology and Philology and is presently working as Coordinator/Project Manager in several women’s empowerment projects. In line with her voluntary positions, Esset has been constantly working towards a safer country for women and other vulnerable society groups. 

Baroness Dayon Ako-Adounvo – Council Member

Baroness Dayon Ako-Adounvo was re-elected as an IPB Council member in October 2025, after serving a first term from 2022.
She has a background in biology and sales & business organization, airport operations and marketing. She is the founder and leader of the International Education Connect Agency which supports capacity building for the socio-economic development in Ghana and Sub-Saharan regions and promotes vocational skills exchange to foster peace and unity among the youth. Furthermore, she is founder and leader of the Feeding Hands Ministry & Zoes Trust, a non-government organization that supports villages in Ghana with food, water, and clothes.

Tyson Smith Berry Jr. – Council Member

Tyson Smith Berry Jr. was re-elected as an IPB Council member in October 2025, after serving a first term from 2022.

Tyson is currently the Executive Director of 4Kids International. He has over 15 years of work experience in humanitarian and social work including education, child protection, peace-building, governance, health, youth and community development. Furthermore, he has expertise in monitoring and evaluation, demography, information technology, programming, and compliance with all necessary regulations in line with the standards of internal policies and procedures of NGOs both local and international.
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Yurii Sheliazhenko – Council Member

Yurii Sheliazhenko was re-elected as an IPB Council member in October 2025, after serving a first term from 2022.

Yurii is the Executive Secretary of the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement, board member at the European Bureau for Conscientious Objection, and at the World BEYOND War. Furthermore, he was lecturer and research associate at the Faculty of Law, KROK University in Kyiv, Ukraine, where he defended his PhD dissertation in law in December 2021. He also obtained master’s degree in law in 2016 as well as a master’s degree in Mediation and Conflict Management in 2021. Yurii authored tens of scholarly articles, taught courses in constitutional and human rights, comparative and international law, legal theory and history. Also, he is public intellectual, blogger, and human rights defender.