Markus Mayer is head of the competence center on crisis response and peacebuilding within the governance and conflict department of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), providing thematic leadership to the design of programs, methodologies, and approaches in key areas such as conflict sensitivity, peacebuilding, transitional aid, disaster risk management, climate security, forced displacement and migration governance. Before that he was International Alert’s Asia Director covering peacebuilding work in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Tajikistan and Sri Lanka. He also worked for the South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg, as Resident Representative to Sri Lanka, promoting academic collaboration and research. For over 25 years he has focused on issues related to socio-economic dimensions of conflict, peace process management, Diaspora engagement, and business for peace interventions. He holds a PhD from Heidelberg University on the topic of youth conflict and development planning.