Noel Francis Stott matriculated from Sea Point Boys' High School, Cape Town, South Africa, in 1977. Between 1978 and 1980, he was a student at the University of Cape Town (UCT), and obtained a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with majors in Psychology and Biblical/Religious Studies. In 1981 he was awarded a Higher Diploma in Library and Information Science (HDLIS).

From 1982 to 1983, Noel was conscripted into the South African Defence Force (SADF) and was assigned to Military Intelligence (MI). During this time he secretly supplied information to the then banned African National Congress (ANC). In early 1984, he was detained in connection with the Treason Trial of Roland Hunter and Trish and Derek Hanekom for allegedly passing on sensitive information to Hunter. Due to the nature of the information at Hanekom and Hunter's disposal (regarding SADF support for Renamo), the trial was held in camera and Noel was never charged.

Between 1984 and 1986, Noel was employed by UCT in various capacities, inter- alia Social Sciences and Humanities Subject Librarian and Acting Head, Law Library. In 1985 he completed a B. Bibl. (Honours) degree.

In 1986, Noel joined an underground cell of the African National Congress being deployed to work in the 'church as a site of struggle'.

He established a library for the Order of Jesus (Jesuits) in Johannesburg in 1986, before being appointed Documentation and Research Officer for the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) in September 1986, a position he held until July 1989. In August 1989, he was appointed Co-ordinator of the Communications Department and Documentation Officer of the Institute for Contextual Theology (ICT), a position he held until February 1992.

In August 1988, at a press conference, Noel publicly refused to render further service in the SADF.

Since 1992 Noel has served in administrative and research capacities for many NGOs, including faith-based and ecumenical institutes such as:

Research Institute for Christianity in South Africa (RICSA)

Theology Exchange Programme (TEP)

Centre for South-South Relations (CSSR)

Community Agency for Social Enquiry (CASE)

Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG)

Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR)

Noel has further served as a researcher at the University of Ulster, Londonderry/Derry, Northern Ireland, on the topics: "Human Rights NGOs and the Difficulties of Transition: Lessons for Civil Society in South Africa, Northern Ireland and Palestine", and ''Developing and Implementing Public Policy: A comparative understanding of the factors influencing policy development and implementation in the negotiated transitions in Northern Ireland and South Africa''.

He is now (2005) employed as a Senior Research at the Arms Management Programme of the Institute of Security Studies (ISS).

In 1997, Noel was elected onto the Co-ordination Committee of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) - a position he held until 2003.

Achievements and Awards:

Noel was one of its two African representatives to receive the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the ICBL in December 1997.

In 1997, Noel was awarded the Friendship Medal (Agreement Number 2628) by the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, "in recognition to his constant actions of political and material support with the Cuban Revolution and of condemnation to the imperialist blockade on Cuba".

In 1997, he was awarded the SANGONeT "Networker of the Year Award" for the "effective use of electronic communications in advocacy, solidarity work and in the development of a cross border civil society".

Involvement in the Mass Democratic Movement in South Africa:

Throughout his career, Noel has organised and/or participated in many conferences and courses relating to issues of international solidarity. He has authored and co-authored numerous publications.

Noel has actively served on many other community based organisations, including:

Member of the Executive Committee of The Johannesburg Democratic Action Committee (JODAC), a progressive organisation affiliated to the United Democratic Front (UDF) that worked to draw members of the white community into the struggle for a non-racial, democratic South Africa. This organisation disbanded during 1990 after the African National Congress (ANC) was unbanned.

Committee member of the National Co-ordinating Committee (UDF-NCC), an affiliation of progressive organisations (UDF) working in the white areas, including JODAC.

Member of the Executive Committee of Five Freedoms Forum (FFF), an organisation created to draw members of the white community into the struggle, but which was more broadly based in the white community than JODAC. The FFF is perhaps best known for facilitating a visit by 100 white South Africans to the then still banned African National Congress (ANC) in Lusaka in 1989.

Consultant and contributor to the Popular History Trust (PHT-Zimbabwe)

Founding member and now Trustee of the South African History Archive (SAHA).

Member and Director of WORKNET (now SANGONET) - an electronic communications system created for use by trade unions, service organisations and the alternative media in South Africa.

Chairperson of the Gauteng Branch of the Friends of Cuba Society (FOCUS - Gauteng) for three years. Noel attended the first World Meeting of Solidarity with Cuba in Havana, Cuba in 1994 and led the first ever-African Brigade to Cuba in 1996. He was centrally involved in the conceptualisation and organisation of the Southern African-Cuba Solidarity Conference in 1995.

Co-ordination Committee member of the International Campaign to Ban Anti-personnel Landmines (ICBL) and founding member of the South African Campaign to Ban Landmines (SACBL).