Philine is a lawyer and mediator by background and worked in conflict resolution for the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Côte d'Ivoire before joining UWC International.

As the Head of Programme Development Philine leads the development of new high-priority areas and works closely with steering groups created by the International Board, including the one coordinating UWC’s COVID-19 response. The Programme Development Team’s remit currently includes the following programmes: 

• Safeguarding (child protection)
  As the Safeguarding Officer of UWC International Philine also handles safeguarding disclosures made to UWC International via the safeguarding reporting system. 
• Mental health support
• NC Fundraising - supported by a global team of consultants
• UWC Refugee Initiative, a scholarship programme for students with a refugee background
• EU Scholarship Programme for Cypriot Youth at UWC - supported by UWC Cyprus
• New UWC schools approval process

From working for international organisations, NGOs and in international relations for the German government Philine has diverse project and programme management experience. She has volunteered with NGOs in Egypt, South Africa, France and Germany working on conflict resolution, psychosocial support and legal advice for refugees.

Philine is from Freiburg, Germany and would have loved to attend a UWC school or college if she had known about the movement a little earlier. She feels lucky to be contributing to UWC’s mission of bringing life-changing educational opportunities to young people around the world independent of their financial means, celebrating diversity and actively promoting peace. Philine speaks English, French and her native German.