December 2008:

As a Crisis, Stabilization and Governance (CSG) Officer in USAID, I assist in the planning, analysis, negotiation, implementation, and evaluation of USAID emergency, crisis, transition, humanitarian assistance, food assistance and democracy and governance (includes rule of law, transitional governance, electoral processes in situations of conflict, peace-building through civil society organizations, security sector reform, demobilization, disarmament and reintegration (DDR)) programs. As a CSG Officer in USAID's Foreign Service, I anticipate serving most of my career overseas in countries affected by conflict, complex emergencies, natural disasters, and transitions in governance. My first assignment overseas will begin mid-2009 in Kenya.  

I am currently co-country representative (with Randy) with the Mennonite Central Committee doing administrative and peacebuilding work in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia and the region of Kosova.  

A native of Jajce , Bosnia - Herzegovina , I also worked with relief and peacebuilding projects in 1994-1996, during and immediately following the war in this country. I have also worked as a facilitator and trainer with Seeds of Peace and with the STAR Project (Seminar on Trauma and Awareness and Recovery) for religious leaders at Eastern Mennonite University.

I am currently co-country representative with the Mennonite Central Committee doing administrative and peacebuilding work in Bosnia-Herzegovina , Serbia , Croatia and the region of Kosova.

  Formerly I worked in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1995-1996. Since 1999 I also taught classes in social movements, and I have been a trainer and consultant to peacebuilding projects in Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

I am in my third year at the University of Melbourne in Ph.D. studies. My doctoral studies are in the School of Anthropology, Geography and Environmental Studies. My thesis topic is “Contributions of Citizens: Peacebuilding in Croatia.”

May 2008

Last summer I concluded my work in Bolivia and returned to the U.S. where Michel Remi Njiki and I were married on September 1 st,2007  We moved to Jerez de la Frontera, Spain soon after our wedding.  I continue to teach distance learning courses with Eastern University in CCGPS (the Campolo College of Graduate and Professional Studies).  I also work part-time with a development and education organization here in Spain called Madre Coraje.  I am in charge of coordinating and implementing workshops on peace, equality and care of the earth in the local public school system.  Aside from this I work part-time teaching English.  In my free time I am writing children's stories, studying French, singing in the cathedral's choir and for the first time in my life, I'm in a Bridge club! 

Michel is finishing his doctorate in international immigration law.  He also works in the International Relations department of the University of Cadiz and is teaching 80 hours this semester on international humanitarian law.  In December, 2008, we will travel to Cameroon for our second wedding celebration with many of Michel's family and friends in Yaoundé and in Douala.  In the future if any of you are traveling through Spain please drop in! 

2/1/07

I am living in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and working with Mennonite Central Committee/MCC.  I work in the peacebuilding program.  We work with church pastors, religious leaders, and other NGO's working in the peacebuilding field. 

Last October I met with  Bolivia's president, Evo Morales, for a few seconds (smile); time enough to hand him a copy of Lederach's Building Peace. 

This is a time of ferment, not only in Bolivia, but in the region, and that entails some tension.  There's much reason for hope even as we're dealing with some difficult issues externally in our environment as well as internally in our organization.  We had our first  STAR seminar this spring with religious leaders, which gave us all a lot of hope and space to look at how to heal. 

Another exciting thing from this past year: last summer (2006) I taught two courses with Eastern University in Ecuador and Brazil.  It was a wonderful experience, and I met many new friends through Eastern's School of Leadership and Development.  I hadn't ever been to South America before this past year, and I find the diversity among S.A. countries very intriguing.  I'm attaching a picture that is from the Brazil class. 

Alastair McKay co-founded Bridge Builders in 1996. He returned to the organization as director following his M.A. in conflict transformation.  

Bridge Builders serves in the ministry of peacemaking and reconciliation, seeking to transform conflict within the church. It is a program of London Mennonite Centre. Bridge Builders provides training, mediation, consultancy and related services for all Christian churches and denominations in Britain . Presently, Bridge Builders has a staff of three to work with McKay. For further information on Bridge Builders see www.menno.org.uk .  

Alistair is currently working on a graduate degree, a Doctorate of Ministry, due to finish in 2011! He continues to listen to Bruce Cockburn’s music, to follow Leeds Utd football club, and has recently taken up tennis after a long break. He can be contacted by email at alastairmckay@menno.org.uk .  

Alastair and his family live in Muswell Hill in North London . Sue, an architect by training, is heavily involved in a major building redevelopment at the Methodist Church where the family worship, and continues to pursue her artistic interests. Eleanor (born 1995) recently started secondary school; her main interests are sport and music, especially violin, oboe and choir. James (born 1997) enjoys soccer, reading books, making bows and arrows, and playing the trumpet.