Forus, the global network of national NGO platforms, appoints new Chair Mavalow Christelle Kalhoule, President of SPONG, the Burkina Faso NGO network

Forus announces the appointment of Mavalow Christelle Kalhoule from Burkina Faso as its new Chair. She will succeed Iara Pietricovsky who stepped down in March 2022 having served as Chair for four years, during which we helped to share the voice, messages and values of civil society organisations worldwide.  

“I am delighted to welcome Christelle as my successor in the fight for a better future,” said Iara Pietricovsky.  “Let’s create a world of peace, of joy, full of life and of activism”. 

Christelle Kalhoule, as new Forus Chair, will pursue Iara Pietricovsky’s work, providing strategic guidance to the network. 

“I would like to thank Iara and Forus members who have trusted me and elected me as Chair. I encourage all members to continue their active engagement in building this network, as the role of civil society is crucial and it’s only together that we can resolve today’s world’s challenges,” Christelle Kalhoule commented. 

Christelle, who has wide experience in promoting and supporting the work of civil society, is also President of SPONG, the Burkina Faso national NGO platform. She is engaged in the promotion of individual and collective liberties across West Africa, notably in the Sahel region, where she focuses on the defense of human rights, the protection of women and children, as well as climate justice. 

“The fact that we are civil society organisations from different horizons and contexts working in unique ways but around common causes, allows us to create spaces of discussion and sharing. Forus is a network in which I find immense richness and potential, our diversity is our strength,” Christelle expressed. 

“On behalf of our members and allies, I would like to thank Iara for her passion, vision and dedication, that have allowed Forus to become the strong network that it is today. Her commitment, leadership and energy enabled the network to strive in its diversity and to be powerful advocates for change,” said Sarah Strack, Forus’ Director.   “We are sure that under the leadership of Christelle we will pursue our mission of promoting and protecting civil society organizations and their work.”