Sarah Sladen is director of the Alliance for International Youth Development (AIYD), a community of practice and advocacy platform of 24 leading U.S. based youth and community development organizations. AIYD is a forum for youth practitioners, donors and policy makers to share and discuss effective practise, and to advocate for and inform policies that support and impact youth worldwide. To support and advance its mission, AIYD has formed a strategic partnership with InterAction. Prior to joining InterAction, Ms. Sladen supported the Educational Quality Improvement Program (EQUIP3) at the Education Development Center (EDC) and served as the International Program Coordinator for the Skills Training for Afghan Youth (STAY) project under EQUIP3. Ms. Sladen has also worked as a youth counsellor and program director at Seeds of Peace, a leadership and conflict resolution program for youth from the Middle East and South Asia, as well as youth from immigrant communities in the USA. She also has worked with youth programs in South Africa including Grassroots Soccer and Ikamva Youth, on sport and development, HIV/AIDS, and education. Ms. Sladen has a special interest in the Middle East and North Africa and studies Arabic. She holds a B.A. in politics and history from Mount Holyoke College and an M.A. in international development from the School of International Service at American University.