PEOPLE

/ OMAR MASSALHA

Born on November 4 1945 in Dabburiya, Palestine, he effetuated his studies at the Geneva University, Paris V and VII and the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, as well as the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS).
Awarded in social and clinical psychology, he obtains a PhD en Peace & Development Law.
He begins his carreer as teacher, psychologist and journalist. Between 1978 and 1980 he is associate director to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Paris. Between 1980 and 1993, he is permanent observator for Palestine at UNESCO. He then occupies the functions of UNESCO Director as UNESCO program for Palestine Coordinator (1994-2000). Since 2000, he is Director of the Division for International Organizations. He is also the Secretary General of the Mediteranean Peace Forum.
Far beyond his responsibilities at UNESCO, Omar Massalah has been the coordination for emergency situations (2001-2005), member of the executive committe of ALESCO (Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization) in 1993 and Secreteray General of ALESCO (1983-1992).