In essence, I am a fully bilingual (CLASSICAL ARABIC & ENGLISH NATIVE SPEAKER) independent professional cross-cultural communication consultant, serving as administrator, interpreter, language instructor and cultural mediator, UK-educated to Masters level in Engineering (MEng) and in International Law with International Relations (LLM).
The success of my work is enhanced by combining organisational and leadership skills with expertise in Middle Eastern values and customs. My approach is to foster a team spirit with colleagues and encourage a spirit of partnership between communication counterparts in order to achieve agreed objectives, based on shared principles. This approach is founded on clear respect and integrity as perceived by the communication counterparts. It has evolved through experience gained in negotiations by the International Committee of the Red Cross with security forces and their political authorities to gain humanitarian access, particularly in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. In each case, I have supported the communication with counterparts on arrangements to ensure future success rather than on shortcomings in previous activities. This approach embodies the principles of coaching, in which I am also involved.