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Awo Ablo joined the Â鶹Éç Media Action Board of Trustees in October 2018 and now serves as Vice Chair.

From an early age, I knew that I wanted to work on global issues – even though the only organisation I could name that fit the bill back then was the UN. As I became aware of many more global organisations, my intent remained. I attribute this to having been brought up in various countries in Africa, South East Asia, and the UK.

I graduated with a BA in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Kent and also have a Masters degree from the London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). After my studies, I discovered a whole new world of organisations working in development and security. I began my career with an internship at a then small organisation called Saferworld, which aims to prevent armed conflict.

I came across Â鶹Éç Media Action, or Â鶹Éç World Service Trust as it was known back then, much later, when a recruiter I knew called me about a new role that the charity was creating. I had never heard of it before, but like many people knew and loved the Â鶹Éç World Service – so was intrigued by the opportunity.

I was appointed as Director of Business Development with Â鶹Éç Media Action and took on responsibility for diversifying the funding base, working on the charity’s rebrand, and marketing the organisation within the wider Â鶹Éç and externally. I loved my role – both the business development side of things but also getting to see TV, radio, and mobile programme and project ideas from inception through to delivery.

I have fond memories of my former colleagues who were a highlight of the job. My favourite memory was working with the Country Director for Afghanistan to persuade a large ad agency to produce and shoot an advert for one of our Afghanistan projects pro bono. I was surprised when it escalated into a shoot with a casting call in London, a set in Palma, and pyrotechnic simulations of landline explosions!

Altogether, I’ve worked in the not-for-profit, media and private sectors, primarily in public health, human rights, governance and security. I have over 20 years’ experience in development and have been a member of a number of advisory groups and committees, including the Chatham House Global Health Working Group, as well as chaired debates at industry, development and media events.

Today I’m the Executive Director for External Relations at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) where I’m responsible for relationship management, communications and brand, income, and partnerships. I also serve as Company Director for the Tony Blair Institute. TBI brings together many of the topics I have always found fascinating – innovation in international development, geopolitics and religion.

Since I left Â鶹Éç Media Action’s staff, the organisation has matured and refined its purpose. It is great to come back to the charity as a Trustee and see that it still retains its core ideals of helping people around the world through the power of information and the joy of human connection. Media Action helps so many people in countries struggling with misinformation, disinformation, under-development, conflict, crisis, or instability, and I look forward to contributing to its work as a Trustee.