Mariam Memarsadeghi has a passion for open societies. Her mission is to help courageous individuals fighting for justice and freedom in their countries. She is an advisor on democracy, human rights, and conflict prevention programs, helping support civic engagement and community action to solve problems of repression and violence.

Leveraging the latest technologies in even the most closed political environments, Mariam works with civic activists and citizen groups to advance public voice and promote transparent, accountable government. The range of her human rights expertise and on-the-ground experience across the Middle East and in the Balkan region mean highly tailored, results driven programming strategies.

Much of Mariam's passion for open societies is rooted in her experiences as a child during the Iranian Revolution. As a witness to the violence of radical Islam and the ongoing repression of an ideological state, Mariam instinctually and philosophically believes in the universality of human rights. She is committed to promoting both the value tenets and the institutions of liberal democracy as a means to upholding human dignity in any culture.

Mariam collaborates with global networks of activists, democracy practitioners and civil society experts to craft practical solutions to political repression. She helps grassroots groups, international organizations, donor institutions, think tanks and governments to promote open societies where all people can achieve their full human potential.

Her current projects include an e-learning activism portal for women civic leaders in the Middle East (with the Center for Liberty in the Middle East, George Washington University and regional partners), research and development on internet freedom and cyber-activism for activists in repressive regime contexts, and community based conflict mitigation initiatives in Iraq.

• Support to civil society activists
  
  
• Civic education
  
  
• Women's rights advocacy in Islamic/Shari'a contexts
  
  
• Free media, internet freedom, cyber-activism and e-learning
  
  
• Conflict prevention, peace building and humanitarian response
  
  
• Election management, monitoring and voter education
  
  
• Research and analysis on civil societies, human rights violations, media environments, conflict dynamics, and democratic development

design and strategy; launch and staffing; work plan development and implementation; sustainability planning; monitoring, evaluation and donor reporting

civic education; human rights monitoring, documentation and advocacy; civic activism; government watchdog training; free media development

full proposal writing and fundraising services; strategic planning and organizational growth; web outreach

on-the-ground research on programming opportunities and recommendations; country assessments; lessons learned and evaluation reports

"Mariam is a true activist. She has a clear understanding of how to push for democracy and protection of human rights in highly repressive environments. Her vision and commitment to civil liberties make her a remarkable advisor to those who seek to promote these ideals in the Middle East."

--Ahmad Nader Nadery
Commissioner, Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission
Reebok Human Rights Awardee
Time magazine, "Asia Hero"

"Mariam is highly intelligent and well informed in the politics and sociology of the MENA region. She has a strong sense of responsibility as well as exceptional interpersonal skills. It is a pleasure to work with her."

--Mahnaz Afkhami
Founder and President, Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development and Peace
Executive Director, Foundation for Iranian Studies
Former Minister for Women's Affairs, Iran

"Mariam brings outstanding qualities of leadership to her passionate, disciplined and intelligent support for building and strengthening societies so that they will be open. Adverse and difficult circumstances never cause her to blink. She is always present to help individuals, organizations and groups in their efforts to fight for justice and freedom in their countries."

--David Cohen
Senior Fellow, Civic Ventures and Experience Corps
Congressional Senior Fellow, Council for a Livable World
Co-Founder, Advocacy Institute
President, Global Integrity

"Very flexible...reliable, creative, honest and direct in her approach..."

--Pasquale Lupoli
Director of Operations, International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Former IOM Chief of Mission in Kosovo and Macedonia