The Icons of Change Global Secretariat proudly announces the appointment of Michelle Mbilikwao Manda as Director for Peace and Conflict Resolution under the Icons of Change Peace Fellowship.

A respected diplomat, legal educator, and international relations expert, Michelle brings to the Fellowship a distinguished record of leadership rooted in diplomacy, justice, and institution-building — hallmarks of her lifelong commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

Throughout her career, Michelle has worked at the nexus of foreign policy, human rights, and education, bridging nations and empowering communities through knowledge and dialogue. In 2009, she made history as Charge d’Affaires ad interim, establishing Zambia’s first diplomatic mission in Southeast Asia — the Zambian High Commission in Malaysia. Her vision and leadership in this pioneering role laid the foundation for strengthened bilateral relations and regional partnerships.

Her service continued as Deputy High Commissioner, reinforcing Zambia’s diplomatic presence in Asia, and earlier, as Assistant Director for Asia & Pacific Affairs and later for European Affairs at the Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she contributed to shaping Zambia’s foreign policy framework and advancing intergovernmental cooperation.

Beyond diplomacy, Michelle has been a steadfast advocate for human rights, having represented Zambia in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and contributed to the drafting of the Zambian Report on the Rights of the Child. Her advocacy underscores a deeply held belief that peace and justice are not abstract ideals, but systems that must be continually strengthened through ethical leadership and inclusive governance.

Parallel to her diplomatic career, Michelle has made transformative contributions to legal education in Zambia. Since 2014, she has served as Lecturer and Examiner at Cavendish University Zambia, teaching Public International Law, Human Rights, Conflict of Laws, and Arbitration. She has played an instrumental role in shaping the minds of future lawyers, policymakers, and public leaders who will carry forward her mission of justice and reform.

In 2018, Michelle spearheaded Cavendish University’s Paralegal Training Programme, bringing legal literacy to underserved communities and training over 200 paralegals — a milestone in expanding access to justice at the grassroots level. In 2024, she was appointed Head of Postgraduate Studies at the Faculty of Law, where she now leads Cavendish’s growing Master of Laws (LL.M.) program, mentoring the next generation of legal innovators.

Currently pursuing her PhD in Law at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching Methods, Michelle exemplifies the lifelong learner-leader — committed to advancing both her own expertise and the educational standards of her nation.

As Director for Peace and Conflict Resolution, Michelle will play a vital role in steering the Icons of Change Peace Fellowship’s initiatives on conflict mediation, peace education, and institutional integrity, promoting global collaboration among peace advocates, educators, and policymakers. Her leadership embodies the principle that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the active presence of justice, dialogue, and opportunity.

We celebrate Director Michelle Mbilikwao Manda for her remarkable achievements and her dedication to building systems that uphold peace and strengthen justice worldwide. Through her example, she reminds us that diplomacy, education, and leadership — when grounded in integrity — can transform not only institutions, but generations. 🌿🤝

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