Vice President (Social Sciences and Humanities) WAAS; WAAS Representative to the UN in Geneva
Short Bio:
Donato Kiniger Passigli is Vice President (Social Sciences and Humanities), World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), and former UN Senior Official. He currently leads an international dialogue-driven peace-building initiative called “The Peace Offensive” and acts as the principal advisor of “UNWASTED” a global campaign for environmental sustainability. He is Co-chair of the ongoing Human Security Campaign for All (HS4A).
Donato is an adjunct professor for crisis management post-graduate courses. Collaborates with the Open University of Catalunya (UOC), Barcelona, and the School of Advanced and International Political Studies (HEIP), Paris. Also collaborates with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) where, for two years, served as senior adviser for peace and security. He also collaborates with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Alma Mater Europaea University of Maribor, teaching mediation and communication techniques.
Until 2019, Donato headed the Fragile States and Disaster Response department of the International Labour Organization (ILO), in charge of crisis response programs in the wake of major humanitarian crises, addressing governance and employment deficits.
In his 34 years at the United Nations, he was, inter-alia, spokesperson for the UN Humanitarian Affairs Office (OCHA) and head of the media and public affairs branch of the Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Besides, he served as political affairs officer and chief of staff for the UN mission in Western Sahara and was head of external relations at the International Criminal Tribunal for former-Yugoslavia and Rwanda. Previously, he joined the UN peacekeeping mission in former-Yugoslavia and headed the Belgrade office. Prior to that, he was based in New York for seven years as an economic affairs officer at the UN Headquarters, and managed large UN development programmes worldwide, including major water resources projects.
Donato specialized in humanitarian action and governance, conflict analysis, risk management, disaster needs assessment, business continuity and partnership-building. He is a published author and delivers lectures and trainings. He is a journalist, member of the Italian Press Federation.
Recent publications: https://cadmusjournal.org/author/donato-kiniger-passigli
