We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Dima Mekdad as Co-Chair of Refugee Week UK. Dima will be joining current Refugee Week Chair Enver Solomon (CEO of Refugee Council), to guide and oversee Refugee Week, including by supporting the Refugee Week partnership, and acting as a spokesperson and ambassador for Refugee Week.

Dima’s role follows a decision by the Refugee Week steering group that Refugee Week should have two co-chairs, at least one of whom should have lived experience of displacement.

Dr Dima Mekdad is the general manager of Shubbak. She is a researcher, organiser, and a new writer. Dima has a PhD in Analytical Science from King’s College London. She was a project manager and a researcher at the UK National Measurement Laboratory for over nine years. Dima is the co-founder and former director of Qisetna, a cultural project which focuses on using storytelling as a tool for personal empowerment, social engagement and cultural heritage preservation. She is also the co-founder of Zamakan, a nomadic non-profit platform that supports artists, cultural workers and creatives from West Asia and North Africa.