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Latif Ismail (1974) is a both a Somali and British citizen, presently living in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. He has become prominent in the academic, private and development sectors – particularly focused on both the successes and problems in Somalia and how to build upon these to affect positive change.

Early life
Latif Ismail was born at the [hospital name] in Hargeisa, Somaliland on the [date]. Due to the ongoing conflict across the whole of Somalia, Latif left the country in [date] and made his way to the United Kingdom.

Education

 * Here he worked numerous jobs until he was able to fund his way through university, firstly attaining a BA (Hons) in Development Studies from the University of East London in 1999 and then receiving an MSc in Development & Security from the University of Bristol in 2013. The University of Bristol awarded him their Convocation Award for services and contributions to both the university and the wider community in Bristol, and his name is now engraved on the honours board at the Student Union in Bristol.

Adult Life

 * Latif's work in Bristol has always had an active focus in the community, seen in 2008 when he was a guest speaker at a | Bristol Somali Media Group event on knife and gang awareness among Somali communities . He became further involved with the Somali diaspora of the city when he became chair of the | Bristol Somali Forum, focusing on issues such as housing, business and community support . This focus also allowed him to become a spokesperson for the Somali community in Bristol, highlighting a variety of issues in the public sphere such as the detrimental health and social issues of Khat use among Somali communities.


 * Between 2009 and 2018, Latif was a registered Trustee of | Refugee and Migrant Justice, working with lawyers to secure justice for asylum seekers and other migrants in the UK.


 * He has always been considerably active in standing up and protecting people’s rights, whether than be through his work with | Refugee Action or taking a public stance against organisations such as the English Defence League . With such an involvement with the Bristol community, which can be seen in a variety of other projects such as the art exhibition Building The Bridge, where Latif propagated Bristol as a city which welcomes refugees and is an environment where Somalis can flourish.


 * Throughout this time in Bristol, Latif founded the company | Transparency Solutions, a Somali-led research and development consultancy.


 * Transparency Solutions has been involved in a variety of projects, with partnerships that have included the University of Bristol, DFID and the EU. One particularly successful project was the High-quality Research Support (HQRS) programme in partnership with the | Observatory of Conflict and Violence Prevention and the University of Bristol. The HQRS programme was focused on working with Somali researchers to improve their research skills with the aim to help them become Somalia’s leading researchers in the future . The trainees were mentored by a variety of academics which led to the publishing of articles with almost a one hundred percent success rate.


 * Latif is also the Managing Director of the Somali based security company | Horn Risk Management, which works tirelessly to provide security and safety for a variety of clients with the aim to increase an international and diaspora presence across the whole of Somalia and affecting positive change.

Notable activities

 * On the 22nd June 2011, the city of Bristol attained the status of a City of Sanctuary, providing a safe and welcoming space for refugees and asylum seekers. Latif was one of the faith statement readers at the opening ceremony, representing the Islamic community during the City of Sanctuary ceremony.


 * Latif chaired a discussion with the UK International Development Minister at the time, Stephen O’Brien, in February 2012; considering which subjects needed to be tackled at the London Conference on Somalia of the same year.


 * On 12th June 2014, Latif spoke on behalf of the University of Bristol, alongside | Professor Eric Herring also from the University of Bristol, on ‘Unlocking Somalia’s Potential’, considering strategic partnerships between the university and the various sectors within Somalia.


 * In December 2017, Latif travelled to Nairobi as a guest speaker and panellist at a DFID Conference, focused on their | IAAAP programme. Latif was discussing challenges and obstacles leading up to the elections in South Central Somalia scheduled for 2020, whilst his colleague Peter Campbell was considering the benefits and opportunities of Network Analysis in preparing for the elections.

Honours, decorations, awards and distinctions

 * Convocation Award, 2013, University of Bristol.