Conflict and stability

Through their transformative efforts in conflict resolution, Chevening Alumni are playing a vital role in building peaceful communities and promoting lasting solutions to conflict-related challenges

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Achaleke Christian Leke

National Coordinator, Local Youth Corner Cameroon

Achaleke is a civil society activist, youth worker, and peace advocate who specialises in countering violent extremism. Over his ten year career, he has worked with over one million young people and coordinated more than 200 youth development and peacebuilding projects in Cameroon and beyond. Growing up in a community that was rife with violent extremism, Achaleke was himself a victim of radicalisation in his youth. However, he overcame many obstacles and succeeded in transforming himself from an agent of violence into an ambassador for peace and change. Achaleke currently serves as National Coordinator of Local Youth Corner Cameroon, an organisation that champions youth action for peace. He also leads the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network, with responsibility for coordinating over 500 young peacebuilders across 53 countries. A prominent expert on peacebuilding, Achaleke regularly presents at high-level forums and workshops around the world. He was named Commonwealth’s Young Person of the Year in 2016.

Oscar Parra-Vera

Magistrate at the Special Jurisdiction for Peace

Oscar is a passionate advocate for justice in Colombia. He is committed to giving a voice to victims of armed conflict and works tirelessly to promote truth and restorative justice. In his role as a Magistrate at the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, Oscar played a pivotal role in addressing the controversial "false positives" scandal, a series of human rights violations involving over 6,000 extrajudicial killings. Through his leadership, he helped provide truth, justice, and reparations to victims, while organising poignant acknowledgment hearings that brought together victims and perpetrators to foster dialogue, understanding, and healing. Oscar's dedication continues to inspire and effect change within the realms of human rights and peace. He is the Chevening Alumni of the Year 2024 Winner in "Human Rights"

Sergey Sayapin

Professor of Law, KIMEP University

Sergey is a pioneering figure in Central Asian international criminal law, and the most cited international and criminal law scholar of his generation in Central Asia. In 2022, he published, as the lead co-editor, a unique two-volume research handbook on international conflict and security law. He serves as sub-editor for Central Asia of the Encyclopedia of Public International Law, and his advisory work for organisations like the ICRC and UNODC underscore the significant impact he has had on legal practice. He is the Chevening Alumni of the Year 2024 Winner in "Publication".