I support people in living, working, and parenting in ways that contribute to a more just, inclusive, and connected world.

Hi, and welcome

I’m Nawar Sayyad, a social worker with a master’s degree in Human Rights and Cultural Diversity, currently completing a Ph.D. in Child Protection. Through my work, I explore how we can better understand ourselves and one another across cultures, identities, and lived experiences - and how the values of global citizenship can be translated into everyday life.

I grew up in Norway as a Norwegian-Palestinian and Muslim, navigating the complexities of belonging across cultures. Alongside experiences of microaggressions and Islamophobia, I also found strength, pride, and joy in living with multiple identities. These lived experiences continue to shape both my academic work and my public engagement.

A cross-cultural and global perspective

My perspective is shaped not only by personal experience, but also by academic and professional engagement across different contexts. As an exchange student, I studied social work in Minneapolis, USA, and I undertook my master's degree in Essex, England. As a Ph.D-candidate, I undertook part of my doctoral research also in England, this time in London. These are experiences that deepened my understanding of how child protection, family life, childhood, social work and social justice are influenced by culture, policy, power, and structural conditions.

Moving between Nordic, Anglo-American, and global perspectives has strengthened my commitment to cultural humility and to approaches that recognize complexity rather than reduce it.

What my work focuses on

Through this platform, I share knowledge, reflections, and resources for people who want to engage more consciously with diversity, identity, and belonging in a connected world.

My work speaks to:

• Adults who want to live with greater awareness and responsibility in a diverse and interconnected world.
• Parents and care takers who wish to raise children with a strong sense of identity and a global perspective.
• Professionals and organizations working across cultures who seek deeper reflection on cultural humility, inclusion, and social justice.

At the heart of everything I do is a belief that global citizenship is not an abstract concept, but a set of values - empathy, responsibility, solidarity, and care - that can be cultivated in relationships, families, and communities.

From Norwegian roots to a global platform

I began this work in Norwegian, with a strong focus on cross-cultural understanding within the Nordic context. As my engagement with global citizenship deepened, Roots & Routes emerged as an English-language extension of the same vision - allowing me to reach across borders while staying grounded in lived experience and research.

Rather than representing a shift away from my earlier work, this platform reflects an expansion of it.

 My vision

I strive to contribute to a world where more people can feel at home - within themselves, in their communities, and with one another.

A world where difference is not treated as a problem to be solved, but as a reality we can learn to live well with - as adults and children. 

 About me — in brief

• Recipient of The Deborah Fitzmaurice Prize for outstanding academic achievement.
• Ph.D.-candidate in child protection at the University of Bergen. 
• Working at the intersection of social work, human rights, and cultural diversity.
• Sharing talks, reflections, and resources on cross-cultural issues, social justice, and global citizenship. 

Core values

Social justice - promoting equity and human dignity.
Courage - engaging with complexity and challenging injustice.
Knowledge -  integrating lived experience with academic insight.
Integrity - acting in alignment with my values, honestly and wholeheartedly.

Thank you for being here. Whether you are encountering my work for the first time or have followed it across languages and platforms, I’m grateful for your presence.

Warmly,

Nawar Sayyad

Explore a Global Journey with My Blog

Dive into the personal journey of a global citizen, traversing cultures and borders, sharing stories and experiences that shape identity and belonging.

Unlock Your Potential Today With My Podcast

Discover the Everyday Global Citizen Podcast! Explore identity, global justice, and cultural humility with me. Special episodes for parents and caregivers.