Ibrahim Hassan is an expert and activist who works to promote the inclusion and social relations of marginalized minority communities. He is knowledgeable about social and public relations, social science public administration and development. Ibrahim is currently the CEO of the Marginalized Community Advocacy Network (M-CAN) and is the chairperson of Somalia's Human Rights Civil Societies' Network. He is also a leader of the four minority rights organizations that work across Somalia and neighboring country, and he develops and implements communication strategies. Ibrahim formerly was a project designer who developed strategic program and initiatives for marginalized minorities to facilitate the importance of their inclusion. He coordinated AGA's support projects that provided opportunities to unemployed women youth groups, and he previously served the community support projects as a health and nutrition supervisor at IRC, peace ambassador in East and Central Africa at AISP and a researcher at Portland State University. In his last position, Ibrahim co-founded Gurmad Media, which is a women-led organization that serves the interests of women in their communities and refers gender-based violence cases. The organization is supported by U.S. Embassy funded programs in Somalia. Ibrahim holds a bachelor's degree in public administration and management and post-graduate certificates in human resources. He is currently a candidate to receive a master's in development studies and management. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Minority Inclusion Program

Marginalized Communities Advocacy Network (MCAN) is community-based, non-governmental organization that advocates and fosters the inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized minority groups. The project's objective was to promote positive changes in policies, government actions and relevant non-state actors for human rights. 

If stakeholders collaborate in development of district sectorial policies, there will be a conducive environment for the design, financing and implementation of projects that meet the needs of communities including marginalized and minority groups. If this collaboration becomes a reality, then district governments, CSOs and NSAs will progressively improve their performance in responding to the needs and aspirations of Somali citizens. This will strengthen and fulfill the promise of the groups’ capacity and democracy as outlined by the Somali constitution. 

The program was meant to solve the citizen crisis in the region that has caused youth to disengage from their country’s constitution and governing process. This goal was achieved by conducting 3 two-day trainings with 20 participants each, to equip participants (mostly members of marginalized groups) with knowledge of their civil rights and rights to inclusion in decision-making roles in the Somali government. The sessions covered other country's constitutional structures as case studies in order to more comprehensively introduce participants to their own constitutional rights to involvement in decision-making spaces in Somalia. The project raised awareness among minority clan members, women, youth and men and women living with disabilities about access to decision making spaces.  

 

"The project has enabled us to understand quite a lot of issues that we were ignorant about. I never knew there are such projects that support inclusion of marginalized minority groups into leadership positions. As from today, I will always be keen on any opportunity to agitate for inclusion of marginalized minority groups into leadership positions." - Workshop Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Ibrahim was a participant in the IVLP Project: A Global Moment in Time: Reflections on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center.

Ibrahim's exchange experience led to the development of his IVLP Impact Award Project: "The IVLP made me think a lot and explore my advocacy work. It taught me the idea that hard work and commitment can create love and kindness to change disparities in society."

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually

Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Washington, DC; Orlando, FL; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Kalamazoo, MI; Minneapolis, MN; Cleveland, OH; Portland, OR

Country: Somalia

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