New York/The Hague
Shazia Z. Rafi was the Secretary-General of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) from 1996-2013. PGA is a non-profit, non-partisan organization of elected legislators from over 130 countries that leverages parliamentary processes to promote peace, international law, gender equality and reproductive health. PGA was founded in Washington D.C. in 1978 with a focus on nuclear non-proliferation and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
Under Shazia Z Rafi’s leadership, PGA has successfully promoted the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court; played a critical role in the passage of the Arms Trade Treaty to regulate conventional weapons trade; built international consensus for progressive legislation on gender equality and reproductive health at the Cairo Conference and the Beijing Conference; clean air/clean water legislation focused on urban environmental health and mediated in conflict zones from Azerbaijan to Cote d’Ivoire and Haiti.
Shazia Z. Rafi has been PGA’s first female Secretary-General, the first Secretary-General from the developing world and from an Islamic country, and the organization’s longest-serving chief executive. Under her tenure PGA has been transformed to a stable, growing and influential player in the worlds of diplomacy, international law and development; with established relations with the United Nations system, the World Bank, the World Economic Forum and leading International NGOs.
Ms. Rafi joined Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) in 1993 as Director, Democracy and Development Programs. She was appointed Deputy Secretary-General in June 1995 and Secretary General in June 1996. At PGA, Ms. Rafi has developed projects on the Role of Parliamentarians in Conflict Management and Political mediation; in Rule of Law and Good Governance; in gender equality and women’s empowerment; and the Role of Foreign Aid Committees of Donor parliaments in Development Assistance. Ms. Rafi has published in Ms. Magazine, the Christian Science Monitor, the New York Daily News, womensmediacenter.com, and Pakistani publications.
Prior to joining PGA, Ms. Rafi served for five years as the United Nations Representative for the All Pakistan Women’s Association, as a consultant to the UN Center for Transnational Corporations and the Women’s Action Alliance. Ms. Rafi has a Master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (1983), graduated Magna cum Laude from Bryn Mawr College (1979) in Political Science and speaks five languages.
Ms. Rafi was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General to serve on the Advisory Board of the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), in an individual capacity, for the period of 2012 – 2013. She also serves as inaugural advisory board member for the Asian Women’s University, Malaysia; and Senior Advisor, Transparency International Defense and Security Program and advisor/annual speaker to Women in Public Service Summer Institute of the Wilson Center, Washington D.C.
Shazia Rafi has dedicated herself to making a difference, appreciating that others will inherit what she leaves behind. Leadership is about one life influencing others, and Shazia has certainly done that. Ross Robertson, Assistant Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament and President of PGA
Dr. David Donat Cattin, a legal scholar and human rights activist who has worked over the last thirteen years at PGA to promote the universality and effectiveness of the International Criminal Court.
In David we have found a passionate advocate, a dedicated and committed champion for the advancement of human rights, peace, democracy and the rule of law. I welcome his appointment. Ross Robertson, Assistant Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament and President of PGA.
Dr. Donat Cattin currently serves as Senior Director of PGA’s International Law and Human Rights Program. Under his coordination, PGA Members contributed to the ratification process of 76 out the current 122 States Parties to the Rome Statute. He holds a Ph.D. in International Law and Human Rights (2000) from the University of Teramo (Italy), Faculty of Law, and a magna cum laude law degree (1994) from the LUISS-Guido Carli University of Rome (Italy), Faculty of Law. He has written extensively on international criminal law, has taught international law at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs and University of Salzburg School of International Criminal Law, and has been interviewed in international media on justice and development issues.
