Prof Garrett Thomson

CEO

Prof Garrett Thomson is the GHFP’s CEO. He received his DPhil from the University of Oxford. Currently he is Compton Professor of Philosophy at the College of Wooster, USA. He was formerly the CEO of the World Subud Association from 2005–2010. Garrett is the author of numerous books including Needs; Kant; Introduction to Modern Philosophy; and a series of introductory texts on Descartes, Locke, Aristotle, Kant, and Leibniz. He co-edited the six-volume The Longman Standard History of Philosophy. His other recent works include Una Introducción a la Práctica de la Filosofía, On Philosophy and On the Meaning of Life. Most recently, Garrett has co-authored books as part of the GHFP’s research team.

Alice McCarthy Sommerville

Human Centred Education Researcher

Alice McCarthy Sommerville is a Human Centred Education Researcher. Her own research work is underpinned by an interest in the connections between education, ethics and human flourishing, with a particular focus on respecting children and young people as agents. Her role at the GHFP includes providing professional development and mentoring to teachers and school leaders, and curriculum design and delivery of well-being programmes for 14–16s. Alice coordinates UNESCO’s Intergenerational Dialogue & Inquiry (IDI). She is Chair of Governors of Sands School, a democratic school in Devon, UK.

Toto Mars

Researcher

Toto Mars is a researcher at the GHFP. His research interests and expertise include relational theory and ethics, human-centred education, positive peace, decoloniality and leadership studies. A graduate from the University of Oxford in 2021, Toto has since contributed to different areas of the GHFP’s research work, including IF20 policy briefs, the Ethics Education Fellowship programme, and the UNESCO Intergenerational Dialogue & Inquiry (IDI) pilot. Toto is now leading research for the development of a UNESCO Future Leaders Academy aimed to inclusively nurture ethical leadership in youth for community transformation and systemic change. Toto is also a professional music producer and pianist.

Daniela Maria Urrutia

Co-director, Programmes in Colombia

Daniela Maria Urrutia is a co-director of GHFP’s programmes in Colombia. She has been a consultant for corporate social responsibility and community development. For 30 years, she has been managing large-scale national and regional projects in Latin America. Daniela helps shape community-led innovative solutions on key development areas such as racial and gender equality, resolving environmental conflict, resource management and employment. She has led collaborative consultation and project evaluation processes and participatory project planning initiatives within diverse communities. Daniela also supports the development of pedagogical models and evaluation methodologies that facilitate community learning and participation, working with businesses, guilds, minority groups, NGOs and governments.

Maria Teresa Rossana Silva

Director, Human-Centred Education Programme in Colombia

Maria Teresa Rossana Silva is the director of the Human-Centred Education (HCE) programme in Colombia. She specialises in education as well as in financial administration. For several years, she has worked in project management in the education sector, providing support to local communities and young Colombian women from disadvantaged areas. Over the past five years, she has successfully implemented the HCE in two educational institutions in Quindío, Colombia, benefiting hundreds of young people and their respective families. She also leads the GHFP’s Hijas de la Paz project, and facilitates the UNESCO Intergenerational Dialogue & Inquiry (IDI) pilot in Colombia.