Maria Carmen (Ica) Fernandez is a development professional with extensive experience in policy design, research, implementation, and evaluation related to governance, security, human rights, and sustainable development. Her engagement in the Philippines includes prior work in national government; advisory roles with international development organisations; as well as direct technical assistance to various local governments, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and its precursor, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Ica holds an MA in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the Philippines Diliman and an MPhil in Planning, Growth and Regeneration from the University of Cambridge. She is a late-stage PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge Department of Land Economy working on land rights and forced displacement in the context of peace agreements.
Notes from the Field 