Marketing & Communications Portfolio
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Nícolas Buitrago
Senior Marketing Officer - Head of Design
Nícolas Buitrago holds a BA in International Studies and French from RMIT University. His interests in post-conflict reconciliation and migration movements were influenced by his passion for travel, photojournalism and participation in international development projects, focused on the complexities of creating an environment for sustainable peace in Bosnia and Colombia, and the displacement challenges facing tribal communities in India. Nicolas has further study interests in climate change policy and youth’s role in peacebuilding processes, particularly in countries emerging from conflict.
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Connect with Nícolas here.
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Bayan Sohailee
Marketing Officer
Bayan, a graduate of Western Sydney University, holds a unique triple degree in International Studies, Social Science (Peace and Development), and Creative Leadership and Critical Thinking, alongside a Bachelor of Science from the same institution. He is also currently pursuing a Master of International Relations at the University of Sydney. His academic journey reflects diverse interests in politics, development, social issues, and science.
During his final year at Western, Bayan was awarded two New Colombo Plan Mobility grants to study in Taiwan and Vietnam. He now serves as the Western Sydney University NCP Alumni Ambassador for 2024.
Bayan is not only academically dedicated but also passionately committed to various domestic and international causes. As a Kurdish-Iranian refugee, he holds profound respect for human rights, justice, and equality. Recognised as Young Volunteer of The Year in Western Sydney, Bayan aspires to contribute meaningfully to the global community and advocate for a fairer, more equitable world.
Elizabeth Lawler
Marketing Officer
Elizabeth is a graduate of the ANU, holding a Bachelor of International Security Studies and Bachelor of Asia-Pacific Affairs. She has a keen interest in peace studies and nuclear politics, with a particular focus on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. She is currently studying a Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) at Deakin.
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Events Portfolio
Sophie Romer
Events Officer
Sophie is currently studying a Masters in National Security Policy at the Australian National University. Previously, Sophie also completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, majoring in international relations and geography. Sophie’s academic interests focuses on contemporary geopolitical issues, particularly those in the Asia-Pacific.
Simran Keswani
Events Officer
Simran is currently undertaking a Combined Bachelor of Commerce and Economics (majoring in finance and economics) at the University of New South Wales. She has a range of experiences volunteering at organisations such as UN Youth, SEVA and Salvation Army whilst also working on her own charity initiative called The Case Closed Project. Her interests lie in foreign policy issues and the role of youth in conflict resolution and peace building.
Adam Bourne
Events Officer
Adam is currently completing his Bachelors of Security Studies and Masters of Counter Terrorism at Macquarie University. His interests in international relations include State of Exception theory, systems of hybrid and asymmetrical warfare, biosecurity and energy security. As an events officer at YDS, he hopes to design events that engage young people with new and emerging ideas about international relations.
Mina Dinh
Events Officer
Mina is in her final year of a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Relations at Deakin University. Being born and raised in Vietnam, Mina has developed a strong interest in the Southeast Asia region. More specifically, she is passionate about human rights, especially about strengthening education rights and opportunities to children in the country, region, and all over the world. Mina is also minoring in Public Relations, with high hopes of leveraging the key knowledge and skills gained in the two fields to connect multiple stakeholders and coordinate programs that help to develop a better world. As an Events Officer, Mina is looking forward to fostering an engaging forum where like-minded young scholars and professionals can interact and nurture their understanding about global issues.
Amelia Grace Wilson-Williams
Events Officer
Amelia is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Communications (Social and Political Sciences) at the University of Technology Sydney. She has experience volunteering for various charities and organisations including What Were You Wearing? Australia. Amelia is a New Colombo Plan Alumni, after completing a Virtual Law Professional Practicum in Jakarta, Indonesia. She will be completing an additional New Colombo Plan supported program this June in Medan, Indonesia. She was a delegate at the 11th University Scholars Leadership Symposium, which was hosted at the United Nations in Bangkok, Thailand in August 2023. Passionate about Australia’s relationship with Indonesia, Amelia aspires to work in the domain of public international law post-graduation. As an Events Director, Amelia looks forward to planning and hosting exciting events for students and young professionals to network with one another whilst learning about international affairs.
Connect with Amelia here.
Podcast Portfolio
Sara Ozrain
Podcast Researcher
Sara recently graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communications from Murdoch University. She currently works full-time as a Law Graduate whilst completing her Practical Legal Training ahead of her admission to practice in August. Sara is actively involved in the human rights sphere and has a passion for international law and international relations.
Our Team
Publications Portfolio
Samuel Ng
Senior Editor
Samuel holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of International Business from the Queensland University of Technology. He is currently a graduate at a commercial law firm and has past experience working in consulting and public sector areas. Samuel is also a Westpac Asian Scholar for Taiwan, having studied at the National Chengchi University in Taipei. His research interests include cross-strait relations, East Asian politics, and political developments in Greater China.
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Kate Langley
Senior Editor
Kate is a policy analyst in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water for the Commonwealth Government. Currently, she is a key member of a dynamic Taskforce working on Australia’s commitments to the United Nations Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with a goal to safeguard the country's biodiversity by 2030. Previously, she led a global team in migration policy as a Research Manager and Migration analyst.
In addition to her government role, Kate is an Australian Global Shaper, supported by the World Economic Forum, advocating for youth involvement in policy-making and impactful change. Kate has dedicated over six years to volunteering with Amnesty International Australia, serving as the South Australia and Northern Territory Youth Advisory Group representative and contributing to youth-driven global affairs initiatives, as well as sitting on the SA/NT Activism Leadership Committee. Kate's international engagement extends to her recognition as an ASEAN-Australian Young Leader and participation in prestigious programs such as the Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations, the United Nations Young Leader’s Program, and the Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program sponsored by DFAT. Kate holds a Masters of International Relations with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Studies, both from the University of Melbourne.
Eliza Wilson
Editor
Eliza is currently completing a Bachelor of Asian Studies at The Australian National University and is studying abroad at Kansai University, Osaka. Within her studies, she focuses on Asia-Pacific Security Studies, Gender Security and Japanese language studies.
Eliza is particularly interested in investigating international affairs through a gendered lens. Further, she focuses on intersectional studies such as gender security post-conflict, and gender issues that arise due to the impacts of climate change.
She wants to raise awareness of these issues and promote effective ways for Australia to respond.
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Connect with Eliza here.
Amy Hamilton-Jones
Editor
Amy is currently a Juris Doctor student at Griffith University and plans to specialise in international law. She is also a recent graduate from a Bachelor of Arts at The University of Melbourne, where she majored in Anthropology. With extensive experience as an English tutor and writer, Amy is passionate about communications and empowering young people to have a voice within international affairs. She is excited to contribute to the Young Diplomats Society as an Editor and to help create written content for such an incredible for-purpose organisation.
Rosie Bendo
Editor
Rosie, born Kaurna Yarta, is undertaking a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Bahasa Indonesia, minoring in English) at the Australian National University.
Alongside this, she works as a Sessional Academic at the ANU, where she tutors a course convened by Professor Asmi Wood. Rosie is also an undergraduate researcher with ANU Law Reform and Social Justice. In her other roles, she works to amplify youth voices and promote constructive dialogues and analysis.
As am a former Anak ACICIS, she has studied Law and Bahasa Indonesia at Universitas Atma Jaya and interned at KontraS (Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence), a Jakarta based Human Rights NGO. She has also worked for the Australia Pacific Youth Dialogue to attempt to aid Australian relationships abroad.
In her spare time, she enjoys going to op-shops to source a sustainable wardrobe, reading Indonesian literature and tending to her houseplants.
Melissa Li
Editor
Melissa is in her final year of Master of International Relations at The University of Melbourne with an interest in international governance and policies. Her background in Psychology, Philosophy and French, helps provide different perspectives of international affairs. Melissa’s interests lie in the geopolitical relations in the Asia region and is currently completing a Minor Thesis centred around this area.
Elizabeth Lawler
Editor
Elizabeth is a graduate of the ANU, holding a Bachelor of International Security Studies and Bachelor of Asia-Pacific Affairs. She has a keen interest in peace studies and nuclear politics, with a particular focus on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. She is currently studying a Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) at Deakin.
Hayley Cheung
Editor
Hayley is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, majoring in Politics and International Relations. Her key interests lie in geopolitics, foreign policy, and national security, with a specific focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Born and raised in Hong Kong, she speaks English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. She has extensive traveling experience across Asia and has specifically volunteered in local communities in Cambodia and the Philippines.
Gideon Daley
Editor
Gideon (he/they) is an editor with YDS, and has previously worked on the marketing team. They have a Bachelor of Arts, and are currently studying a Diploma of Community Services. When he isn’t studying, Gideon works as a freelance writer and scribe. Gideon is particularly interested in migration, international law, corporations as non-state actors, and human rights!
Tian Tian Dorge
Editor
Hey, I'm Tian. I am in my fourth year studying for a Bachelor of Arts/Law at the University of New South Wales and previously completed a Chinese language program at Peking University. I'm currently working as a clerk at a law firm, and I've previously enjoyed working as an international development assistant at UQ. My primary interests revolve around international affairs, with a particular focus on national security, development, and human rights.
Emma Huang
Senior Correspondent
Emma is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne majoring in Economics & Psychology. Her interests lie in psychology and public policy, particularly in the application of psychological theories to policy and global education & health policy. In addition to this, she is passionate about advocating for career literacy for young people and will be going on exchange to Renmin University of China to study international relations & foreign policy in September 2024.
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Connect with Emma Here.
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Nicolas Buitrago
Regional Correspondent (Europe)
Nícolas Buitrago holds a BA in International Studies and French from RMIT University. His interests in post-conflict reconciliation and migration movements were influenced by his passion for travel, photojournalism and participation in international development projects, focused on the complexities of creating an environment for sustainable peace in Bosnia and Colombia, and the displacement challenges facing tribal communities in India. Nicolas has further study interests in climate change policy and youth’s role in peacebuilding processes, particularly in countries emerging from conflict.
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Connect with Nicolas here.
Noa Dumond
Regional Correspondent (Australia & The Pacific)
Noa, with a BA in Politics, International Relations, and Geography from the University of Melbourne, and a recent MSc in Crisis and Security Management from Leiden University, has experience as experience as a research officer for the Government of New Caledonia in 2022, complemented by volunteering work in South Africa and Vanuatu. Additionally, she participated in a young leaders summit in the South Pacific and is passionate about peace mediation and humanitarian diplomacy. In her role as Regional Correspondent for Australia and the Pacific, she seeks to highlight pertinent issues within and around the region.
Sarah Shakeel
Regional Correspondent
(Middle East & North Africa)
Sarah is majoring in International Studies with an extended minor in global development. Sarah has previously worked as a Technical Advisor at the Department of Defence and as a Junior Consultant at Enel Green Power. Her experiences in cybersecurity, renewable energy consultancy, and as a Green Steps Scholar for Monash University, have emboldened her belief in transnational policy and the critical need for global collaboration to address issues of cybersecurity threats, climate change, and refugee vulnerability.
Shajara Khan
Regional Correspondent (North America)
Shajara Khan graduated from UNSW with a Master of International Relations and a Bachelor of Arts (Korean Studies). During her master's, she worked on her dissertation analysing how ideology plays a major role in U.S. politics, which has led to the role of North American correspondent.
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Connect with Shajara here.
Remy Szabo
Regional Correspondent
(East Asia)
Remy Szabo is a young professional working in International Affairs for an Australian NFP. He holds a Bachelor of International Relations and Bachelor of Commerce (International Business) from ANU, and a Graduate Diploma of Education from ACU. His research interests include Australian Foreign and Strategic Policy, and the role of ideology in world politics.
Lachlan Kappa
Regional Correspondent (South & Central Asia)
Lachlan Kappa graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Arts (International Relations), with a strong emphasis on Security Studies, Conflict, History, and French. He currently works in travel risk intelligence as an Asia-Pacific (APAC) Junior Analyst. His interests include language learning, and gaining insights into geopolitical issues facing the Post-Soviet and French-speaking worlds.
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Evangelia Wichmann
Regional Correspondent (Latin America)
Evangelia Wichmann is currently engaged in humanitarian work in Thailand, focusing on improving access to safe drinking water in Myanmar. She has completed a Bachelor of Arts in International relations/politics and French at the University of Melbourne as well as a Diploma in Chinese Studies. Fluent in German, French, and Italian, Evangelia spent the first six months of 2023 in Taiwan to further improve her Chinese skills. In August, she will relocate to Paris to pursue a dual Masters degree in International Development and Political Economy through Sciences Po and the London School of Economics. Her ultimate goal is to work in the field of international women's rights and climate change.
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Connect with Evangelia here.
Joe Alexander
Regional Correspondent (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Joe Alexander is a First Class International Relations (BA) postgraduate from the University of Leeds, UK. His acute interests are within the fields of geopolitical advisory, international diplomacy, Responsibility to Protect, conflict management, and security studies. Collaborating with renowned Professor Jason Ralph on his dissertation, Joe contributed to the understanding of multi-causal models and nuanced accounts for Russia’s foreign policy.
Connect with Joe here.
Tahlia Beckitt
Regional Correspondent (South East Asia)
Tahlia is currently studying International Relations at Curtin University and was the Future of Work delegate at the 2023 G20 Youth Summit in India. A former intern at Castle Asia in Jakarta, Tahlia is highly interested in Australia’s relations with Southeast Asia and the potential for effective and respectful diplomacy and cooperation between Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific. Tahlia has also engaged as a speaker at the 2023 World Food Forum Flagship Event and volunteers for the ASEAN-Australia Strategic Youth Partnership.
Bella Baker
Contributing Writer
Isabella is a Dalyell scholar at the University of Sydney studying a Bachelor of Arts and Advanced Studies in Global and International Studies. She is interested in global affairs, national security and human rights with a particular focus on Australia’s relationship with China and the Indo-Pacific.
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Connect with Isabella here.
Lachlan Forster
Contributing Writer
Lachlan Forster is an honours student in International Relations and History at La Trobe University, having graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2023. Lachlan was a 2023 New Colombo Plan Scholar for Singapore and Malaysia, and has worked with the Victorian Government and the Malaysia Australia Business Council. Lachlan has been previously published by the Victorian State Parliament, the Herald Sun, Young Australian in International Affairs and YDS.
Miranda Chen
Contributing Writer
Miranda is a fourth-year student studying a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at the University of Sydney. She is majoring in International Relations and minoring History. She is passionate about foreign policy and seeks to incorporate this and her studies into her writing at YDS.
Melissa Dib
Contributing Writer
Melissa Dib is a fifth year Law and Business (Human Resource Management) student at the University of Technology, Sydney. She is currently an intern at the New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties and the UTS Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research. Her experience varies from education and tutoring, mentoring, legal research and advocacy. She has written articles pertaining to employment relations, whistleblower legislation, the Voice Referendum, anti-discrimination and modern slavery. She also is an avid mooter, having competed at intervarsity and national levels and was nominated as a finalist for the 2023 Female Law Student of the Year awards. Melissa is extremely excited to be joining YDS in 2024 as a contributing writer and hopes to blend her passions for law and human rights and international relations when writing up engaging and informative pieces about topics she is interested in and passionate about!
Marina Daley
Contributing Writer
Marina is a recent Master of International Relations graduate from the University of Melbourne, where she also completed a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Politics. Currently based in Madrid, where she completed an exchange year at the Autonomous University of Madrid. Her interests are in political economy, specifically trade, and sustainability. She completed an internship with EY in their sustainability and climate change team and was a member of AMP’s Youth Advisory Committee.
Hannah Scallion
Contributing Writer
After graduating with a Bachelor of International’s Studies specialising in global Security, Hannah is currently completing an internship at the International Criminal Court in its public information and Outreach unit as she combines her passion for international affairs with her communication and journalism skills.