Robert (Bob) Groelsema

For the past seven years, Robert (Bob) Groelsema has served with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) based at headquarters in Baltimore.  Pre-Covid-19, he traveled frequently to Africa where he and his team provide technical assistance in justice, peacebuilding and governance to CRS’ sub-Saharan program and partner staff. Africa accounts for approximately 70% of CRS’ work globally. 

Presently, CRS is implementing a 12-year strategy, Vision 2030.  Vision 2030 strives to create a world where all people live in just and peaceful societies.  The framework for this goal are interdependent strategic platforms to accelerate transformative change at scale.  His team supports efforts to integrate social cohesion and social justice across these platforms including emergency assistance, health, natural resources and livelihoods, families, children and youth, Work involves collaborative tools design and methodologies, training, capacity-building, and accompaniment for CRS staff and local partners. 

Bob’s career in relief and development began in 1979 as a Peace Corps teacher in Zaire. He then served as a UNHCR field officer in the Philippines, and subsequently worked with an American NGO to provide famine relief in Chad. After completing his advanced degrees, he served as a civil society specialist for USAID based in Washington, DC, and then as Chief of Party for projects to prevent and mitigate violent conflict in West Africa and to strengthen community resilience to shocks and stress in northern Kenya.

He has published numerous articles in journals and encyclopedias on African history, religion and culture, geography and politics.  His most recent publications are on youth-led peacebuilding, and on tools to measure social cohesion strengthening. Dr. Groelsema holds a BA in history from Calvin College, an MPIA in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Ph.D. in political science from Indiana University.