At our AGM this year on June 28th, Misean Cara was delighted to confirm the appointments of two new members to the Misean Cara Board of Directors. Joining the Board, effective immediately at the AGM, are Rev John Parkin and Mr Philip O’Brien.
“It is a privilege to welcome Rev Parkin and Philip O’Brien to the Misean Cara Board. Misean Cara is fortunate to be adding the rich experience and expertise that each of them brings respectively through their decades of work with international development and humanitarian organisations both in Ireland and abroad.”
-John Moffett, Misean Cara CEO
About Rev John Parkin A retired Methodist Minister and native of Yorkshire, Rev John Parkin spent several years working overseas with Christian Aid (in India, Pakistan and Ethiopia) and has also travelled with the Methodist World Development and Relief Fund in Ghana, South Sudan, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. His focus on the promotion of human rights includes a post as an election observer in South Africa in 1994 during the country’s first full democratic elections, and as a human rights observer in Palestine. Rev Parkin earned a PhD in Geology from Trinity College Dublin before studying theology in Belfast to become a Methodist Minister. From 1987 to 2012 Rev Parkin served congregations around Ireland including Dublin, the Midlands, and twelve years in Waterford, where he was a dedicated advocate for the community’s immigrant community. He has lived in Ireland since 1971 and is a naturalised Irish citizen. Rev Parkin also serves as the Chairperson of Kairos Ireland.
About Philip O’Brien During his long career in international development Philip O’Brien held senior leadership positions with the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation in Geneva, and multiple roles with UNICEF in their offices in Central and Eastern Europe, Sudan, the Baltic States and Bangladesh. He also held posts with Concern Worldwide in Yemen, Tanzania and Bangladesh. His specialties in international development include health and educational strategy development, organisational strategy and change; fundraising; child rights; and public policy and advocacy. Mr O’Brien is currently the President Emeritus of the Board of Association Montessori Internationale, and is a founding member of UNICEF Hungary. He holds a master’s degree in Economic Science and a Diploma in Social Policy and Administration.
