DAWIDA Board Members
Rita Knight Juul Andersen - Chairperson and Founder of DAWIDA
MSc. Migration & Development / Global Refugees Studies & B.Sc. Social Work
Rita is a highly motivated and effective professional in Migration & Development intervention. She thrives to work with decision-making processes in her many years’ interdisciplinary work across private & public sectors. Additionally, in civil society organizations (CSOs). In Denmark Rita worked mainly with asylum-seekers, refugees and family reunification in the country during her employment at the Danish Red Cross, Danish Refugee Council and at four different municipalities. From her own firm, Social-Knight Consultancy in Denmark (2008-2014), Rita conducted five studies and headed numerous debates, workshops and seminars on the discourse -Migration & Humanitarian/Development intervention.
In the CSO’s domains, Rita’s passion is rooted in mobilizing diaspora (migrant) women and youth, raising or enhancing their awareness on their rights, advocating for and facilitating the fore-mentioned Diasporas’ inclusion as stakeholders in development interventions. The determined passion extends to a quest for empowering these Diasporas to come forward and contribute to the decision- making- processes that influence their lives in Denmark and/or in their countries of origin. It is from this passion that the platform, DAWIDA was born.
"Diaspora’ is a central concept in contemporary migration research. The concept refers to a population that voluntarily or compulsorily, live scattered in several countries outside their original (or imagined) homeland and over time maintain allegiance to it and with each other ''
MSc. Migration & Development / Global Refugees Studies & B.Sc. Social Work
Rita is a highly motivated and effective professional in Migration & Development intervention. She thrives to work with decision-making processes in her many years’ interdisciplinary work across private & public sectors. Additionally, in civil society organizations (CSOs). In Denmark Rita worked mainly with asylum-seekers, refugees and family reunification in the country during her employment at the Danish Red Cross, Danish Refugee Council and at four different municipalities. From her own firm, Social-Knight Consultancy in Denmark (2008-2014), Rita conducted five studies and headed numerous debates, workshops and seminars on the discourse -Migration & Humanitarian/Development intervention.
In the CSO’s domains, Rita’s passion is rooted in mobilizing diaspora (migrant) women and youth, raising or enhancing their awareness on their rights, advocating for and facilitating the fore-mentioned Diasporas’ inclusion as stakeholders in development interventions. The determined passion extends to a quest for empowering these Diasporas to come forward and contribute to the decision- making- processes that influence their lives in Denmark and/or in their countries of origin. It is from this passion that the platform, DAWIDA was born.
"Diaspora’ is a central concept in contemporary migration research. The concept refers to a population that voluntarily or compulsorily, live scattered in several countries outside their original (or imagined) homeland and over time maintain allegiance to it and with each other ''
Lynette Munk - Vice Chair
Bachelor in Nursing, Social Psychiatry from University Campus, Slagelse
Lynette works as a Psychiatric Nurse at Holbæk Hospital, Denmark. She has a professional Bachelor degree in nursing from University College Sjælland Slagelse, Denmark. Under her study program, Lynette interned at Launceston General Hospital, Tasmania where she was awarded the Crown Princess Mary Scholarship from the University of Tasmania. Lynette is Former Vice Chairperson for Kalundborg Kommune Integrationsråd and member of Rådet for Etnisk Minoriteter. Her interest lies in various methods of tackling the spread of HIV, through educational programmes. In her position in DAWIDA, she strives to empower migrant/diaspora women to get involved – collaborating with organizations in their Sub-Saharan countries of origin – aimed at reducing the currently escalating numbers of people living with HIV. Furthermore, Lynette advocates for and facilitates intervention that addresses emotional needs of people living with aids as vital part of HIV treatment and care.
“Give a girl an education, introduce her properly into the world, ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody. ” (Jane Austen). “As a woman I have no country. As a woman I want no country. As a woman, my country is the whole world.” (Virginia Woolf ).
Bachelor in Nursing, Social Psychiatry from University Campus, Slagelse
Lynette works as a Psychiatric Nurse at Holbæk Hospital, Denmark. She has a professional Bachelor degree in nursing from University College Sjælland Slagelse, Denmark. Under her study program, Lynette interned at Launceston General Hospital, Tasmania where she was awarded the Crown Princess Mary Scholarship from the University of Tasmania. Lynette is Former Vice Chairperson for Kalundborg Kommune Integrationsråd and member of Rådet for Etnisk Minoriteter. Her interest lies in various methods of tackling the spread of HIV, through educational programmes. In her position in DAWIDA, she strives to empower migrant/diaspora women to get involved – collaborating with organizations in their Sub-Saharan countries of origin – aimed at reducing the currently escalating numbers of people living with HIV. Furthermore, Lynette advocates for and facilitates intervention that addresses emotional needs of people living with aids as vital part of HIV treatment and care.
“Give a girl an education, introduce her properly into the world, ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody. ” (Jane Austen). “As a woman I have no country. As a woman I want no country. As a woman, my country is the whole world.” (Virginia Woolf ).
Laila Haxthausen - Msc. Public Administration and International Development Studies from Roskilde University
Lala is passionate about welfare and international development issues, and have worked extensively with project development and project management, nationally (Denmark) and internationally. In Denmark Laila has managed projects targeting socially vulnerable citizens, particularly within the areas of integration, urban development and recreational activities for children and youths. Internationally, Laila has worked with NGOs in China and Zimbabwe with child protection, women's rights and advocacy, and through this Laila has gained experience with monitoring and evaluating developmental projects as well as fundraising and grant management. Equally, Laila has conducted two independent studies on women's inheritance rights in Dhaka, Bangladesh and in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Lala is passionate about welfare and international development issues, and have worked extensively with project development and project management, nationally (Denmark) and internationally. In Denmark Laila has managed projects targeting socially vulnerable citizens, particularly within the areas of integration, urban development and recreational activities for children and youths. Internationally, Laila has worked with NGOs in China and Zimbabwe with child protection, women's rights and advocacy, and through this Laila has gained experience with monitoring and evaluating developmental projects as well as fundraising and grant management. Equally, Laila has conducted two independent studies on women's inheritance rights in Dhaka, Bangladesh and in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Pamela Mary Kasembo B. Louis, Communications & Public Relations Manager
MA. English & Media Studies & BA in English and Cultural Studies (Journalism) from Copenhagen University.
Pamela has worked with integration, competency development, international education and cultural awareness. Pamela was earlier on employed, among other places, in the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Energy and Climate. Today Pamela is employed as Head of Section, at Roskilde University, where she works mainly with education (law on education, counselling, admissions, evaluation of international and local education, deals with student complaints, credit transfers, research on education and analyses, master's examinations in the Department of Business, Communication & Information Technologies, etc.)
Pamela has a project in Uganda together with a local Volunteer, Grace Kobusinge. The project deals with taking care of old people, who neither have means nor families to take care of them. so far there are 11 old people that are being catered for (hospital bills, basic needs and general care such as visits to see how the target group is faring, etc.). The long-term dream is to construct a little Old-folks Home for the less fortunate.
"Be the Change you would like to see in the world, and strive to make it happen, and don't look back. Learn from your mistakes and challenges. After all life without mistakes and challenges is life not lived to its fullest. Help the less fortunate and do not expect any rewards."
MA. English & Media Studies & BA in English and Cultural Studies (Journalism) from Copenhagen University.
Pamela has worked with integration, competency development, international education and cultural awareness. Pamela was earlier on employed, among other places, in the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Energy and Climate. Today Pamela is employed as Head of Section, at Roskilde University, where she works mainly with education (law on education, counselling, admissions, evaluation of international and local education, deals with student complaints, credit transfers, research on education and analyses, master's examinations in the Department of Business, Communication & Information Technologies, etc.)
Pamela has a project in Uganda together with a local Volunteer, Grace Kobusinge. The project deals with taking care of old people, who neither have means nor families to take care of them. so far there are 11 old people that are being catered for (hospital bills, basic needs and general care such as visits to see how the target group is faring, etc.). The long-term dream is to construct a little Old-folks Home for the less fortunate.
"Be the Change you would like to see in the world, and strive to make it happen, and don't look back. Learn from your mistakes and challenges. After all life without mistakes and challenges is life not lived to its fullest. Help the less fortunate and do not expect any rewards."
Mie Zingenberg - Project coordinator
Mie Zingenberg is passionate about politics and interest representation. With an education in European Affairs from Lund University, she has a profound understanding of, not only the EU system, but also political strategic management as well as interest representation. She has experience with several political campaigns, Danish interest representation in Brussels and Education law from her time at the International education and SU office at Copenhagen University. Mie’s role in Dawida is to successfully structure our project strategy and develop “a way forward”."
Mie Zingenberg is passionate about politics and interest representation. With an education in European Affairs from Lund University, she has a profound understanding of, not only the EU system, but also political strategic management as well as interest representation. She has experience with several political campaigns, Danish interest representation in Brussels and Education law from her time at the International education and SU office at Copenhagen University. Mie’s role in Dawida is to successfully structure our project strategy and develop “a way forward”."
Melissa Rae Akiko Larsen - Project Manager
Global Nutrition and Health Bachelor student, Metropolitan University College Denmark
Melissa's field of interest lies within minority groups and health, particularly among women, in which she strives to promote good health and equity for better quality of life. Melissa has experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection, and knowledge within nutrition, physical activity, project management and inter-cultural communication.
Global Nutrition and Health Bachelor student, Metropolitan University College Denmark
Melissa's field of interest lies within minority groups and health, particularly among women, in which she strives to promote good health and equity for better quality of life. Melissa has experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection, and knowledge within nutrition, physical activity, project management and inter-cultural communication.
Selusweyinkosi Maqeda - Public relations Officer/Assistant Treasurer
Currently studying a Bachelor's degree in Leisure Management at University College Zealland.
Selusweyinkosi Maqeda is a Front Office manager at CABINN Metro Hotels in Ørestad, Denmark. Founder of Matabeleland Care foundation a non-profit organisation whose mission is to engage in community development projects that bring measurable employment and improvement in the Matabeleland region of Zimbabwe. Matabeleland Care Foundation is a non-profit organization whose aim is to participate in & enhance the development of schools and hospitals in the Matabeleland region of Zimbabwe. The Foundation is one one DAWIDA's working partners in the Sub-Saharan countries.
Currently studying a Bachelor's degree in Leisure Management at University College Zealland.
Selusweyinkosi Maqeda is a Front Office manager at CABINN Metro Hotels in Ørestad, Denmark. Founder of Matabeleland Care foundation a non-profit organisation whose mission is to engage in community development projects that bring measurable employment and improvement in the Matabeleland region of Zimbabwe. Matabeleland Care Foundation is a non-profit organization whose aim is to participate in & enhance the development of schools and hospitals in the Matabeleland region of Zimbabwe. The Foundation is one one DAWIDA's working partners in the Sub-Saharan countries.
Carl Anders Sven Hultin (aka CASH) - Coordinator of Diaspora Youth in Art & Culture
Carl has studied Architecture for 3 years at Saint-Luc (UCL) and at La Cambre (ULB) Brussels, Belgium. Under a ‘reflections’ break from his studies, he travelled around the Globe during wich he re-discovered his passion for painting and later on, for visual arts. As a self-taught Swedish- Zimbabwean and young artist, Carl’s passion is nurtured by his engagement in multidisciplinary spheres, stretching from the EU parliament, Scandinavia, U.S.A., Africa and Asia. Notably, his work in various visual arts include paintings, drawings, illustrations and logos A few examples are:
- Logo for the University of ULB
- His honorary meeting with & portrait-painting of Rev. Jesse Jackson
- His exhibition during the La Biennale di Venezia, on an off course.
- His collaboration with Arne Quinze for the Bridge of Tomorrow (one of the biggest festivals in the world).
- His invitation by and portrait painting of the former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan.
Emil Wulff – Multicultural Communication in Organisations, CBS – Communications
Emil is a member of DAWIDA’s wonderful group of volunteers. Emils primary focus is the organisation’s external communication where he updates various social media while working on the website and newsletters.
Currently, Emil is doing his Master’s in Multicultural Communication in Organisations at Copenhagen Business School, while working as student assistant at Siteimprove.
Emil chose to volunteer at DAWIDA because he believes that we all share the responsibility of helping and integrating the people coming to our country. Refugees, in particular, as they arrive with nothing but the hope of a better life than what they experienced in their home regions.
Emil loves meeting and working with people from different cultures, and in DAWIDA he feels he have the opportunities to do so.
Emil is a member of DAWIDA’s wonderful group of volunteers. Emils primary focus is the organisation’s external communication where he updates various social media while working on the website and newsletters.
Currently, Emil is doing his Master’s in Multicultural Communication in Organisations at Copenhagen Business School, while working as student assistant at Siteimprove.
Emil chose to volunteer at DAWIDA because he believes that we all share the responsibility of helping and integrating the people coming to our country. Refugees, in particular, as they arrive with nothing but the hope of a better life than what they experienced in their home regions.
Emil loves meeting and working with people from different cultures, and in DAWIDA he feels he have the opportunities to do so.
Lisbeth Sørensen - International Business Communication, Uni. Southern Denmark – Communications
Lisbeth has been a member of DAWIDAs volunteer group since October 2015. Currently, she is studying a bachelor’s degree in International Business Communication at University of Southern Denmark.
Lisbeths primary focus is the organisations external communication where she updates various social media while working on the website and newsletters.
Lisbeth wanted to volunteer for DAWIDA because she loves to work with people from different cultures and believes that DAWIDA is the place to do so.
Lisbeth has been a member of DAWIDAs volunteer group since October 2015. Currently, she is studying a bachelor’s degree in International Business Communication at University of Southern Denmark.
Lisbeths primary focus is the organisations external communication where she updates various social media while working on the website and newsletters.
Lisbeth wanted to volunteer for DAWIDA because she loves to work with people from different cultures and believes that DAWIDA is the place to do so.