Maarit Thiem
Senior Project Coordinator
showRefugee Advisory Board for Germany
The Refugee Advisory Board Germany has been established to ensure that international decision-making is informed by the perspective and expertise of forcibly displaced persons who provide critical feedback on international refugee issues and programmes. The Secretariat is located at bicc and coordinates the activities.
As the first national board of this kind in Europe, its members work together to contribute their insights to (inter)national dialogues and to participate in a meaningful way in (inter)national policymaking. To this end, the board members join the German delegation at global meetings on refugee issues, such as the UNHCR ExCom meetings, the Global Refugee Forum and high-level official meetings. They are also actively involved in national socio-political processes and work closely with key German government agencies and participate in consultative meetings with ministries, civil society and UNHCR.
In addition, board members advise governmental and non-governmental actors on refugee-related policies at the national and transnational levels. To support these efforts, the board publishes policy briefs to inform and guide decision-makers. The board aims to strengthen the representation and amplification of refugee voices in (inter)national processes and policies related to forced displacement and refugee protection.
The Secretariat is located at bicc and coordinates the activities. Visit the RAB Germany Website to find out more.
Board Members
Lehaz Aldarf
Lehaz Aldarf is an educator, youth mental health consultant, trainer and human rights advocate specialising in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across education, policymaking and community development. A Freie Universität Berlin graduate with a bachelor's degree in special education, Lehaz creates inclusive, trauma-informed educational environments for refugees and immigrants, using emotional literacy and innovative strategies to foster resilience and empowerment. Since 2019, they have supported young people whose education was disrupted by war and displacement, collaborating with organisations such as Sprungbrett Zukunft e.V. and Back on Track e.V., delivering political education, empowerment training and anti-bias workshops. Lehaz works closely with queer refugees, Syrian women and individuals with marginalised gender identities to amplify their voices in policymaking and to promote visibility and advocacy through a queer Arab collective in Berlin. Motivated by personal experience of forced displacement, they join the Refugee Advisory Board Germany to strengthen representation, amplify marginalised perspectives and promote equitable, participatory and socially just integration and protection policies.
Agnes Cynthia Amoding
Agnes Cynthia Amoding is a legal expert from Uganda specialising in social justice advocacy, refugee law, and international law. With a strong background in grassroots legal practice, she has worked with social justice and refugee organisations in Uganda and served as a Next Generation Fellow for the UN's Our Common Agenda Initiative. She has also been involved as a Young Justice Leader at NYU, advocating for people-centred justice. Passionate about social justice, Cynthia currently supports refugees and asylum seekers in Germany by helping them navigate their rights and integrate into society. As a board member, she aims to influence refugee policy and deepen her understanding of integration strategies through collaboration with fellow members and stakeholders.
Mojib Rahman Atal
Dr Mojib Rahman Atal holds a PhD in Migration Studies from the University of Erlangen–Nürnberg, where his research examined institutional violence and everyday discrimination against Afghan refugees in Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden. Before resettling in Germany in 2015, he served as a Political Advisor for the German Consulate General and Embassy in Afghanistan and, following the 2021 collapse of the Afghan government, advised the German Federal Foreign Office on the evacuation of vulnerable Afghans. Mojib has worked as a researcher at the German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval) and taught Migration Politics at the Technical University of Nuremberg (2020–2023). He is currently an Integration Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Group in Brussels, contributing to EU- and non-EU-funded projects on migration and integration. Drawing on his lived experience as a refugee and professional expertise in research, evaluation and policy analysis, Mojib joins the Refugee Advisory Board Germany to share lessons learned and promote effective policies that benefit both migrants and host societies.
Şengül Çelik
Dr Şengül Çelik is a philosopher and ethicist committed to human rights, with over 15 years of experience in academia, research and social engagement, including 15 months of social work with refugees at Trockendock e.V. Originally from Turkey and now based in Germany, she has taught at several universities, most recently in bioethics at the University of Mannheim. Her expertise spans applied ethics, bioethics and social justice, with a focus on women’s rights, migration and refugee protection. Beyond academia, she has published essays for wider audiences and delivered numerous seminars and public lectures internationally on philosophy, ethics and human rights. She currently serves as Director and Non-resident Senior Research Fellow at the European Center for Populism Studies (ECPS), where she coordinates human rights initiatives. Şengül joins the Refugee Advisory Board to strengthen refugee participation in decision-making and advance inclusive, equal-opportunity integration policies. Driven by the belief that every refugee deserves protection and a platform to be heard, she hopes to contribute to a more balanced and constructive public discourse while supporting a more peaceful future for the next generations.
Ahmad Zia Ferozpur
Ahmad Zia Ferozpur is an international communications professional and refugee advocate with over 15 years of experience across the United Nations, NATO, academia, and global media. Displaced from Afghanistan, he rebuilt his life in Germany, combining professional expertise with grassroots engagement. Zia works as a journalist and communications consultant, monitoring refugee-related developments in Europe and producing content on governance, education rights and human rights. He holds a master’s degree in International Relations from Freie Universität Berlin and a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Balkh University, with additional training in the United States and Europe. Multilingual in Dari/Farsi, English and German, he connects diverse communities and stakeholders. Zia volunteers in Berlin, supporting refugee communities with translation and integration assistance. Recognised with the 2024 Elisabeth-Selbert-Initiative Human Rights Defenders Scholarship, he aims, as a member of the RAB, to amplify refugee voices, advocate for sustainable integration policies and strengthen trust between communities, civil society, and institutions.
Ahmad Hawarnah
Ahmad Hawarnah, who has Palestinian roots and holds refugee status in Syria, came to Germany in 2015 as an unaccompanied minor at age 15 and became a German citizen in 2023. His personal journey has profoundly shaped his understanding of displacement, belonging and societal participation. Drawing on firsthand experience with integration challenges, Ahmad became actively involved in civic and political engagement.Through volunteer work and roles in NGOs, integration committees and as a translator and consultant, he has built extensive experience in refugee rights, communication and negotiation. His academic background in Business Informatics adds a complementary perspective on how economics and technology influence social structures.Ahmad served for three years as CFO of the NGO “Cola Taxi Okay” and has been a member of the Integration Committee in Karlsruhe since 2020. He also founded “Migrants for Karlsruhe,” an initiative advocating for migrant rights and visibility. Motivated by a commitment to empowerment and participation, he aims to ensure refugees have a voice in policymaking on the Refugee Advisory Board Germany.
Nyima Jadama
Nyima Jadama is a Gambian TV moderator and advocate with over ten years of experience in journalism, media competence and community empowerment. Driven by her commitment to empowering marginalised communities - especially women - Nyima hosts "Nyima's Bantaba" and the "Unfiltered Podcast," where she highlights migration, integration and women's empowerment. She uses her platform to amplify underrepresented voices and foster social change. She also founded the Bantaba Academy, which offers media literacy training for migrants and refugees in Berlin. Nyima also works as a language and cultural mediator, supporting refugees in the region.
Majdi Laktinah
Majdi Laktinah is a migration and health expert from Syria who moved to Germany in 2012. He holds a Master’s degree in Global Health and focuses on mental health, sexual health, and promoting equity in health care systems, especially for migrants and refugees. With extensive experience in managing emergency response projects and having worked on projects, such as refugee shelters, mental health support, and COVID-19 facilities, he currently works as the Client and Community Engagement Manager at the International Rescue Committee Germany and has represented the Refugee Advisory Board Germany at the UNHCR’s 75th ExCom Plenary Session. Majdi advocates for inclusive policies and dialogue between civil society and policymakers to increase political participation and reflect the diversity of German society.
Shaden Sabouni
Shaden Sabouni is a PhD researcher at the University of Fulda, focusing on the impact of social changes on refugee family dynamics, influenced by her own experience as a refugee since arriving in Germany in 2017. With a strong commitment to her field, she pursued higher education at the age of 40, earning a Master’s degree in Intercultural Communication and European Studies to challenge stereotypes about refugees. She has worked with various organisations to support refugee integration and is currently a freelance cultural trainer for GIZ and a fellow at bicc. Her motivation to join the RAB stems from her diverse experiences as a refugee, mother, researcher and activist, and she believes that integrating these perspectives into policymaking can enhance safety and harmony for host and refugee communities. Shaden envisions a more inclusive future for all residents of Germany and Europe, emphasising the importance of diversity and acceptance in creating a peaceful world.
Zohra Wandaa
Zohra Wandaa has nearly a decade of experience in journalism, humanitarian work, and social activism, focusing on human rights and refugee integration. She holds degrees in pharmacy and medical technology, along with advanced studies in project management and education, giving her a multidisciplinary perspective. Her career includes significant roles with the United Nations and the International Rescue Committee, where she coordinated efforts for internally displaced people in Afghanistan. Zohra has also led campaigns against sexual street harassment and served as a youth representative in the Afghan Youth Parliament. She currently works as a psychosocial counsellor at Albatros gGmbH, where she supports Afghan and Iranian refugees.
Abdul Basir Zarify
Abdul Basir Zarify is an Afghan human rights advocate and refugee support professional who arrived in Germany in 2022 through the humanitarian admission programme after facing persecution and displacement. His personal experience with forced displacement and integration drives his commitment to protecting and empowering vulnerable communities. Basir has strong expertise in refugee protection, resettlement, humanitarian admission programmes and asylum procedures. As a Case Worker in the German Federal Admission Programme for Afghanistan (BAP), he has managed over 200 cases involving women, human rights defenders, LGBTQIA+ individuals and artists, gaining deep insight into both the UNHCR resettlement process and the German asylum system. He also volunteers with national and international organisations that support advocacy, integration and refugee empowerment. He engages in political and diplomatic dialogues with German authorities, international delegates and the Federal President. After achieving C1-level German within a year, he is currently studying Computer Science. Basir joins the RAB to strengthen refugee participation and promote policies that empower refugees to shape their own futures.
Publications
Other
Project team
Funded by
bicc supported the establishment of the Refugee Advisory Board Germany in cooperation with R-SEAT in 2024, with funding by the Robert Bosch Foundation. bicc acts as the Secretariat of the RAB.