At the Coalface
At the Coalface is a series of conversations hosted by Philippe Rose.
Philippe's guests share stories about their life beyond the headlines of international affairs. They look for lessons learned about making an impact in the world as practitioners in diplomacy, international organisations, NGOs, journalism and the private sector.
Many of Philippe's guests are connected by their common experience of taking time away from work to attend graduate school at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University.
At the Coalface
Nicodemus Ajak Bior - The Long Walk from War to Leadership
In this episode, I speak with Nicodemus Ajak Bior, a former child soldier from South Sudan who defied unimaginable odds to become a scholar, public servant, and advocate for transparency.
At just eight years old, Nicodemus was taken by rebels and thrust into a world of survival, separation, and loss. His escape, walking over hundreds of kilometres barefoot through war zones and jungles, marks the beginning of a story that is both harrowing and inspiring.
From makeshift schools under trees in refugee camps to earning a degree at the Fletcher School, Nicodemus’s journey is one of profound resilience, human connection, and the power of education to transform lives.
We talk about what it means to survive and rebuild, how hope persists even in the darkest places, and how leadership is forged by perseverance.
Recorded on 26 August 2025.
Connect with Nicodemus on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/nicodemus-a-bior-0948b291/.
Instagram: @at.the.coalface
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