Once again this year, AWoN’s Summit was the occasion of the renewal of the Board, with the election of four new members for a two-year term running until September 2027.
We warmly welcome Maura James, Mousumi Saikia, Rouddy Kimpioka and Tuija Samila, who are joining Zoé Balkrishnan, Alaaddin Uslu and Nejra Kadić Meškić, elected last year and entering the second part of their term. This new, diverse and enthusiastic Board will be chaired by Maria Kjellsdotter Rydinger and soon gather to set the priorities of the Network for the months to come, based on the General Assembly’s discussions in Poland.
Meet Maura!
Maura is a curious adventurer interested in how people learn, connect, and share. Currently on the Medicine Wheel, learning indigenous Q’ero spiritual practices and beginning a Community Healers Apprenticeship, Maura is a writer and activist based outside of Boston, Massachusetts, USA. She values her connection with and learns from communities at the Poland/ Belarus border, the Afghanistan diaspora, and the Palestine movement for liberation, among others.
A few words as new Board member
‘I am so honored and humbled to be a newly elected AWoN board member. Earlier this year, I thought my work at borders and contributions to migration theory and practice were over, ending prematurely thanks to capitalism. When I couldn’t be at the Summit, something I had been looking forward to all year, I thought it was a sign from the universe – khallas, Maura, this part of your life is over, for now.
I was wrong, and this opportunity reminded me that there are still curious people and people-centered spaces. Thank you Zoé for nominating me, and thank you dear AWoN colleagues for trusting me and electing me to the board. I am eager to contribute to this great organization, and am so grateful you find value in me. I will remember your faith and carry it with me, as I do my best to serve all of you.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out any time if you have ideas, are feeling like there’s no space for you in your work, or you want to share stories. I try to write everyday, so I might just be able to share one with you too!’
Welcome and thank you, Maura!