Who are we?

Mehrdad Shabahang is the programme specialist for the Silk Roads programme within the “Research, Policy and Foresight” section of UNESCO's Social and Human Sciences sector. Since joining UNESCO in 2007, he has worked on the ‘Routes of Dialogue’ and ‘General and Regional Histories’ programmes. Now responsible for the Silk Roads Programme, he is in charge of the conceptual and operational management of the programme and its different sub-initiatives. He also acts as the editorial supervisor for the Silk Roads Online Platform.

Prior to joining UNESCO, he worked for the Magazine “Report of Dialogue” at the International Centre for Dialogue among Civilizations in Iran (2002-2004). Mehrdad Shabahang holds a PhD in the History of Regions and Religious Anthropology.

Tara Golkar contributes to the daily implementation of the Silk Roads Programme. She is in charge of the development of the communication and outreach of the Silk Roads Programme via its various initiatives, events and activities. She also supports the coordination between the programme and its numerous partners, governmental bodies, academic entities and other stakeholders.

ZHOU Xinyu is the Chinese editor of the Silk Roads Programme. She also coordinates with Chinese institutions and partners of the programme, and assists the communication of the Silk Roads Programme and its different initiatives.

Emily Baker is a member of the Silk Roads Programme editorial team. She writes weekly news content and articles on the shared heritage of the Silk Roads and acts as the English language editor of the Silk Roads Online Platform.