Paula Pires Souza de Oliveira

Paula Pires Souza de Oliveira holds two bachelor of arts degrees – one in public health from the University of Brasilia and the other in International Relations from UNICEUB in Brazil.

Ms. Oliveira has fourteen years of professional experience, mostly in foreign policy, international cooperation for development, humanitarian response, and peacekeeping.
She worked at the United Nations Mission for the Verification of the peace agreement between FARC-EP and the government in Colombia, with a primary focus on advocating for the protection of vulnerable communities, including children, ethnic groups, and former combatants.

Oliveira also spent seven years working in international cooperation, focusing on education, health and food security across regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. Additionally, she coordinated a humanitarian response program for climate-related disasters in North Africa.

Ms. Oliveira hopes to make the most of her time during the MIDP Program at Duke University, with the goal of developing skills in peace and development that will enhance her ability to protect children and vulnerable communities, particularly from violations linked to armed conflicts. She is also eager to use her free time to participate in volunteer activities supporting children, animals, and vulnerable communities.