Hanifa D. Mezoui, Ph.D.

A native of Algeria who has worked with the United Nations for the past 25 years, Dr. Mezoui holds a Doctorate in French Linguistics, an MA in French Literature, and a diploma in Business Administration from the University of Aix-en-Provence in Southern France. She is currently Chief of the NGO Section of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (ECOSOC), where for the past 10 years she has successfully implemented the Secretary General’s policy of greater NGO participation in the work of the UN and “opens doors” for NGOs by helping them to achieve consultative status with ECOSOC. During the past eight years, her commitment to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals has led her to establish an outreach programme (UN-NGO-IRENE) to mobilize civil society for a global campaign to achieve the UN development agenda.

Dr. Mezoui has extensive knowledge of and expertise in all dimensions of UN human resources management, including general administration and financial issues. She has also served in the Panel of Counsel, advising and guiding appellants on administrative questions and opting for conciliatory measures whenever possible. She regularly lectures at universities around the world to explain the United Nations System and its internship program, which provides youth with the opportunity to access the United Nations. Dr. Mezoui also serves as the current Secretary General of the “Association Culturelle Francophone” (ACF), where she has accepted the challenge of promoting knowledge and understanding of cross-cultural diversity between 55 countries of the United Nations that share common values in culture, human rights, peace, and development.