Maria Pakpahan-Campbell is ready to work with you.

As women activist and former civil society organisation's lobbyist to multilateral banks like World Bank, Japan EXIM Bank and worked as consultant to various UN organisations from International Labour Organisation, UNDP, World Food Programme , I was fortunate to have opportunities to travel around and lived in many countries i.e Indonesia where I was born, grew up and studied. Then moved to The Netherlands where I did my postgraduate study in Development studies, Human Rights, Women Studies and Politics of Alternative Development Strategies in The Hague at International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University.I was lived in East Timor too.

Returned from The Netherlands, I became more involved in the peaceful transition and preparation of East Timor referendum by serving as Executive Secretary of Solidamor ( Solidarity for Peaceful Settlement on East Timor) by created spaces for dialogues between East Timorese people, students, East Timorese leaders and Indonesia institutions, academia, civil society and religious organisations back in mid 90s up to 2002. Another work I did at these years I regularly visited the political prisoners in Jakarta and Tanggerang prisons. In fact I had already the same habits during my student time at University Gadjah Mada in late 80s ,visited some students activists who imprisonment by New Order regime of Indonesia. They were political prisoners as Amnesty International declared and they were my friends.Active in political issues are not a new stuff for me.

Meanwhile though the mid 80s -90s I was advocating for protection of domestic works through local NGO like Tjoet NJak Dien Yogyakarta Foundation and facilitated the set up of JALA ( National Network for Protection of Domestic Workers). To ensure domestic workers have rights like other workers in Indonesia such as basic rights a day off, minimum wage, regulation that ensure their social securities like health insurance, free from violence and discrimination are enshrined in local ordinances and national law. A continuous struggle until now despite the first bill on protection of Indonesia domestic workers has been submitted to the national parliament about 18 years ago. The tug of war between executive and legislative power and the complicity of middle class and upper middle class of Indonesian society in not promoting this bill and have its deliberation is a clear case of how class issues intertwined with gender and discrimination.

Most Indonesian domestic workers are women and they are under values and under paid. In fact ILO has categorised domestic workers can be a form of 'modern slavery' and forced labour when there is no legal protection and culturally acceptable to employ girls and women without clear contract job descriptions and fuzzy arrangement. This line of work has brought me into a network of social enterprises and awarded as Ashoka Fellows

Later on I moved to Edinburgh as I was awarded Chevening Scholarship in 2000 by the British government and opted to study in University of Edinburgh on French Enlightenment by research. A decision that change my life as I felt welcomed by the Scottish people and the city itself was so charming and stuck in my mind.

After finishing my studied I returned to Indonesia and did some works with United Nations Development Programme on conflict prevention and internally displaced people , ILO and EU delegation to Indonesia on national election monitoring, selecting Indonesian NGOS projects that got donor based on thematic themes like democratization,women empowerment, civil society and media. 

However Edinburgh keeps calling me. I decided to make Edinburgh as my family home. Since end of 2008 I returned back to Edinburgh. 

I have been studying ,worked in many election and referendum in Edinburgh in the last 8 years as polling assistant to presiding officer but I was not allowed to vote or be voted. Until last year when the election law has reformed.

As foreign national who made Edinburgh as its home with indefinite leave to remains, now I can participate in local election and stand for office too. I was involved and participating in the public-hearing of this election law reform. 

Last year it was the first time I did vote and this year May 5th 2022 election I would like to chip in and to engage more in local decision making processes. This is also my way to walk the walk as I am a part of UK campaign on Elect Her and Women 50:50

Hence I run on this election. I have been part of Engender Scotland and currently serving as one of its directors (Board Member) on this 2022 in my 4th years doing this unpaid works. I did other voluntary works with charity like British Heart Foundation, worked as steward in Moon Walk for cancer charity and more.  

Green spaces in Edinburgh are also my interest to keep them flourish and accessible to residents.  

If you’re looking for ways to improve your life and make the most of opportunities, I can help. Now I work as life coach .

I offers a personalised life coach service to help you get back on track. Perhaps you’re struggling with your mental health or you have hopes but no idea how to achieve them? Maybe you need political input and advise as a person or groups when you face stumbling block or not really sure what next venture in your life ? I am an active listener and I can offer one-to-one sessions in the local area or through our booking form to help you work through your problems and look to the future, facing your challenges head on with renewed confidence.These sessions can take place whilst strolling in the garden or over cup of coffee as you wish.