Meet Jared O. BellFormer U.S. Diplomat, Educator, and Advocate for Justice
Over 15 years designing, monitoring, and evaluating international development programs across fragile and conflict-affected states.
BiographyA career built in fragile places
Dr. Jared O. Bell is a global expert in post-conflict development and transitional justice, with over 15 years of experience designing, monitoring, and evaluating international development programs across fragile and conflict-affected states. A former Foreign Service Officer (U.S. Diplomat) with USAID, he served in numerous roles in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nicaragua, and at USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C., and previously directed the ABA Rule of Law Initiative's Central Asia portfolio.
His work also spans Central and East Africa, where he advanced human rights awareness, supported civil society advocacy, and strengthened operations for international NGOs.
InstitutionsFrom USAID to the UN system
Dr. Bell's career extends across global institutions such as UNDP, the UN Human Rights Council, Peace Direct, and the American Red Cross, with a focus on governance, atrocity prevention, civil society, and democratic transitions.
He is further recognized as a UNESCO Policy Lab Expert and Visiting Non-Resident Fellow at Western University's Centre for Transitional Justice and Post-Conflict Reconstruction.
In The ClassroomTeaching the next generation
He has also held academic and advisory roles, including Assistant Professor of International Relations and Post-Conflict Studies at the International University of Sarajevo, Expert Advisor for the Atrocity Intervention Simulation Exercise at Binghamton University's Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention, and Visiting Scholar at the University of The Gambia.
He currently teaches graduate courses on designing, monitoring, and evaluating international development programs at NYU's Center for Global Affairs.
Author & CommentatorWriting the record
He is the author of Frozen Justice: Lessons from Bosnia and Herzegovina's Failed Transitional Justice Strategy and the forthcoming The Othering of Conflicts and Mass Atrocities. He has lectured and presented widely across Europe, Africa, and North America on human rights, transitional justice, and peacebuilding.
His policy commentary has appeared in Foreign Policy, Foreign Policy in Focus, The Hill, The Peace Chronicle, International Policy Digest, UN Agora Blog,CounterPunch, Dissident Voice, Z-Net, and LA Progressive, and he has provided analysis for television outlets including Al Jazeera Balkans, Pakistan Television, NTN24, and Al-Qahera News.
Lasting peace is not built by silencing the past, but by confronting it with truth, extending justice, and investing in people's future.
Professional JourneyFifteen years across diplomacy, NGOs, and the field
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01
Diplomatic Service (USAID)
Served as a Senior Advisor and U.S. Foreign Service Officer in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Nicaragua, and Washington, D.C.
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02
Leadership in NGOs
Directed the ABA Rule of Law Initiative's Central Asia portfolio and worked with UNDP, the UN Human Rights Council, and Peace Direct.
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03
Humanitarian Engagement
Advanced human rights and civil society advocacy in Central & East Africa with the American Red Cross and other NGOs.
In The FieldAcross Borders, Institutions, and Ideas
RecognitionAwards, fellowships and appointments
Multiple U.S. government awards for leadership, innovation, and service
James O. Elmore Research Scholarship (2013–2015)
Dissertation Research Grant, Nova Southeastern University (2015)
Erasmus Exchange Grants (2017, 2018)
Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution advanced training at the University of Leiden, the Venice Academy of Human Rights, and the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies
SpeakingBook Jared O. Bell for your next event
Keynotes, panels, lectures and expert commentary on human rights, transitional justice and peacebuilding.