Shamil Idriss

Biography

Shamil Idriss leads Search for Common Ground (Search), a global organization committed to transforming the way the world deals with conflict, away from adversarial approaches toward cooperative solutions. With 650+ staff working in 35 countries, Search is the largest dedicated peacebuilding organization and was nominated by the Quakers for the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. Idriss has presided over Search’s growth in reach, impact, and influence, including leading multiple merger processes and forging strategic partnerships with UN agencies, multi-national corporations and global NGOs.In 2005, Idriss was appointed by then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as Deputy Director of the UN Alliance of Civilizations. He served on the Steering Committee of the World Economic Forum's Council of 100 Leaders and was a recipient of the 2015 Open Society Foundation New Executive Award. He serves on the Boards of Giving Tuesday, Ploughshares Fund, and Soliya.