Mona Ziade is Communications & External Affairs Officer for the World Bank, based in Beirut, Lebanon. Ziade joined the World Bank Country Office in Lebanon in January 2004. As Communications Officer, she has been in charge of media contacts, dialogue with Parliament and the Private Sector, coordination with the donor community and relations with the Civil Society. Her outreach activities also extend to Syria and Jordan. Ziade comes from a long career in the international media. She worked for United Press International (1978-1982), before joining The Associated Press (1982-1996). She was appointed National Editor for the Beirut Daily Star in 1996, and later became Managing Editor. Ms. Ziade studied Mass Communications and Political Science at the Beirut University College.