Mutual Mentorship Programme 2026 Directory

Meet the Pairs

At the heart of the programme are the mentorship pairs; carefully matched participants who engage in sustained dialogue, mutual learning and professional exchange.

Discover the pairs and the stories shaping this year’s cohort.

Mazhar Elshorbagi, Egypt

Elshorbagi is Assistant Professor of Political Philosophy at Deraya University, Egypt, where he also chairs the International Cooperation Council and holds the Boutros-Ghali Chair for Sustainable Peace.

Selected by the U.S. Department of State as an American Politics Development Scholar at the University of Massachusetts, his work focuses on practical political philosophy and its relevance to contemporary challenges, particularly preventing extremism in the Middle East.

Jakub Klepek, Poland

Klepek is a security and intelligence consultant specialising in counter-terrorism, prevention and countering of violent extremism (P/CVE), international security, diplomacy, and Middle Eastern affairs.

He applies advanced OSINT and AI-driven methodologies to analyse online threats and deliver strategic insights to senior stakeholders. A member of the EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation and the OSCE Young Experts Network, he also serves as an expert at the Institute of New Europe and the Institute of Social Safety.

Mohamed Alouane, Morocco

Alouane is a Development Programme Specialist from Morocco with over a decade of experience across the Euro-Mediterranean region. He has designed and led donor-funded portfolios for NGOs supported by USAID, the EU and UN agencies.

He leads EuroMedAI and combines expertise in Computer Engineering and Project Management. Currently pursuing a second Master’s in Data and AI, Alouane focuses on leveraging innovation to strengthen climate action and good governance.

Felix Rank, Germany

Rank is co-founder and board member of the German Forum for Ethical Machine Decision Making (EME), a think tank promoting the responsible use of algorithms and artificial intelligence.

He advocates greater transparency in machine-driven decisions that affect individuals, working to redefine digital safety and raise awareness of systemic risks. Rank serves as Practice Lead for Machine Learning at a consultancy and as a Data Governance Expert in Munich.

Lili De Paola, Finland

De Paola is a doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki and Advocacy Coordinator at Sumud: The Finnish Palestine Network. Her academic work examines modern Saudi Arabian nationalism, with particular attention to its intersections with gender politics and the global political economy.

In her advocacy role, she promotes decolonial and rights-based approaches to understanding the past, present and future of Palestine, linking research, public engagement and policy discussions.

Kawther Gasmi, Algeria

Gasmi is Research Officer in Social Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office of Algeria, with over seven years of experience in public administration, social policy and institutional coordination. She holds two Master’s degrees: one in International Relations, and another in Gender, Law and Media in the MENA from SOAS.

Gasmi has conducted applied research with Canada’s International Development Research Centre on digital violence against women in the MENA region. Her interests include inclusive governance, EU–MENA cooperation, sustainable development and AI for good.

Dr. Sumaya Hashim, Bahrain

Dr. S. Hashim is a Bahraini–Swedish academic and Assistant Professor at Jönköping International Business School (JIBS). Her research focuses on entrepreneurship and family business, with particular attention to women in the GCC context.

Her professional experience spans Sweden, Bahrain, Ireland, Saudi Arabia and Australia, combining research, teaching and institutional collaboration. Hashim contributed to Bahrain’s first Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report on women’s entrepreneurship and launched Saudi Arabia’s first university-level course on family business.

Amina Askaner, Sweden

Askaner has over 15 years of experience in the financial industry, specialising in financial data flows, credit and liquidity risk management within banking before transitioning into sustainability. Her expertise includes navigating complex regulatory frameworks and optimising data use to support strategic decision-making.

She is co-founder of Amplify Voices, a business network dedicated to championing and empowering women from diverse backgrounds. Askaner advocates a holistic approach to sustainability, integrating people, climate and business considerations to drive long-term, responsible impact.

Najd Almuhayathif, Saudi Arabia

Almuhayathif is a Saudi human rights lawyer specialising in gender equality and advancing women’s rights in the MENA region and globally. Her work includes assessing and strengthening policies that address gender inequalities and collaborating with UN agencies to build regional capacity in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Having lived in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United States and now France, she brings a cross-cultural perspective to her work. Almuhayathif is committed to feminist principles and believes in the importance of dialogue across cultures to advance social justice and human rights.

Joel W. Abdelmoez, Sweden

Abdelmoez is a researcher, teacher and university administrator with a background in political science, Middle Eastern studies and gender studies. He recently completed a PhD at Lund University’s Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies and has been a visiting scholar at the Centre d'Études et de Documentation Économiques, Juridiques et Sociales in Cairo.

His research examines social movements in the Middle East, particularly feminist movements and LGBTQ+ rights organisations. His doctoral work explored contemporary feminist uses of history, transnational feminist temporalities and international solidarity.

Shérazade Henni, Algeria

Henni is a French-Algerian youth leader and Co-Founder of Toulouse Youth Network in France, a youth-led organisation delivering Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps projects focused on inclusion, democratic participation and intercultural dialogue.

With a background in political science and international project management, she works at the intersection of youth engagement, European citizenship and community empowerment. Growing up between cultures shaped her commitment to belonging and social cohesion. Henni combines strategic leadership with hands-on facilitation, designing international mobility initiatives and creating safe spaces for young people.

Shawgi Omer Nawai, France

Nawai is a youth advocate and social activist with extensive experience in the non-profit sector, focusing on social justice and community development. He is Co-Founder of Emerging Leaders and Director of PLACE Network, a Paris-based start-up that supports newcomers in Europe by connecting them with opportunities in entrepreneurship, employment, public leadership and higher education.

His work challenges negative narratives around migration by promoting inclusion and belonging. Nawai is a doctoral candidate at École nationale des ponts et chaussées, researching TechDemocracy and workplace belonging.

Michael Gendy, Egypt

Gendy is a civil society professional at the Anna Lindh Foundation, supporting Euro-Mediterranean cooperation through intercultural dialogue, youth engagement and cross-regional collaboration. His work strengthens people-to-people connections between Europe and the MENA region by designing programmes that link grassroots actors with institutional frameworks.

With a background in international relations and anthropology, he combines strategic thinking with participatory approaches to foster inclusive dialogue and sustainable partnerships. Gendy integrates digital innovation and AI-informed methods into capacity-building initiatives and is particularly interested in advancing EU–MENA–Gulf relations.

Aida Silveira-Rocabert, Spain

Silveira-Rocabert is an international relations professional from Spain with experience across EU institutions and the United Nations, specialising in Middle East and North Africa affairs. She has worked at the European External Action Service, the EU Delegation to the UN in New York and various UN agencies, focusing on peace and security, multilateral diplomacy and resilience in fragile contexts.

Her expertise includes political analysis, risk management and coordination with institutional and civil society partners. Silveira-Rocabert is particularly interested in dialogue-based conflict prevention and in exploring how artificial intelligence can responsibly support peacebuilding.

Balkees Mgadami, Libya

Mgadami is a Libyan human rights and protection professional with over eight years of experience across frontline humanitarian response, UN project implementation and diplomatic engagement. She spent four years with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Libya, documenting abuses against migrants in detention centres, and later supported migration and juvenile justice initiatives with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Mgadami currently works for the Netherlands in Libya, co-chair of the UN Human Rights Working Group. She holds an MA in Human Rights and is completing a second MA in French Language and Literature, focusing on rights-based governance in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Felix Engdahl, Sweden

Engdahl is a Swedish professional with an academic background in History and Political Science, holding two Bachelor’s degrees and a Master’s in Global Security and Strategy from SOAS. His work focuses on peace and security and migration studies, shaped by research and fieldwork experience in Africa.

Engdahl currently serves as Programme Manager for a Bulgaria-based NGO, overseeing multiple initiatives. One of his primary projects supports refugees from the MENA region, promoting inclusion, stability and sustainable development.

Marouane El-Hamdaoui, Morocco

El-Hamdaoui is a Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence student at ENSAM Casablanca, with a strong interest in full-stack development and technical innovation. Actively engaged in the tech ecosystem, he participates in hackathons and developer communities to promote peer learning and address real-world challenges.

His work centres on bridging complex technologies with tangible human impact. El-Hamdaoui aims to apply his technical expertise to strengthen EU–MENA ties.

Reem Alsaaidi, Sweden

Alsaaidi is a cybersecurity and AI governance lead based in Sweden, specialising in security change management and responsible technology practices. She holds a Master’s degree in Information Security from Stockholm University and has published research in peer-reviewed journals.

Her work focuses on strengthening security governance, developing responsible AI frameworks and fostering alignment across diverse stakeholders. Originally from Yemen, Alsaaidi is committed to promoting peace, stability and digital trust as foundations for sustainable development. She also serves on the board of the Swedish Yemeni Friendship Association, supporting civil society dialogue and EU–MENA cross-regional cooperation.

Elsa Hyland, Sweden

Hyland is a Swedish angel investor and former venture capitalist with extensive operational experience across start-ups and scale-ups. She partners with early-stage companies worldwide, providing investment, strategic advice and mentorship.

Recognised among the top 100 angel and impact investors in Sweden and the Nordics, Hyland regularly contributes to leading global platforms, including FII, H20 at the World Health Organisation, BIBAN, LEAP and WHX, where she shares insights on innovation and responsible investment.

Burak Keşanlıoğlu, Türkiye

Keşanlıoğlu is a Corporate Tax Assistant at KPMG, specialising in tax compliance, financial reconciliations and regulatory reviews within a structured, stakeholder-driven environment. Alongside his corporate role, he is actively engaged in ESG and social impact initiatives, with particular focus on the Social and Governance pillars.

He has contributed to international multi-stakeholder processes on child protection, digital safety, safeguarding frameworks and institutional accountability, participating in advisory discussions and cross-border collaboration. Keşanlıoğlu is also involved in selective leadership communities, advancing dialogue at the intersection of business, public policy and civil society.

Gaëlle Stephan, Lebanon

Stephan is a Lebanese architect and heritage professional working at the intersection of cultural diplomacy, development cooperation and public policy. She serves in a European diplomatic mission in Beirut, coordinating humanitarian engagement, NGO partnerships and bilateral initiatives.

Stephan is Secretary General of ICOMOS Lebanon, the national committee of UNESCO’s advisory body on cultural heritage, contributing to heritage governance and international collaboration. A doctoral candidate at the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus–Senftenberg, her research explores aesthetics, science and conservation practice.

Sofia Klymchuk, Ukraine

Klymchuk is an AI international policy and EU integration expert working at the intersection of technology, geopolitics and international cooperation. She serves as Advisor to the Acting Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, previously leading the country’s AI alignment in EU accession negotiations, representing Ukraine on the EU AI Board and contributing to the National AI Strategy.

Currently a National Consultant for UNESCO’s AI RAM project in Ukraine, she also serves on the Ethics Board for Ukraine’s sovereign large language model. A lawyer by training, Klymchuk holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the LSE.

Houyem Ghediri, Tunisia

Ghediri is a professional in international development and cooperation with experience supporting donor-funded initiatives on youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, migration dialogue and EU–MENA regional cooperation. She currently works on Mediterranean migration dialogue, contributing to multi-stakeholder processes and programme implementation.

Her expertise includes facilitating partnerships and strengthening capacity-building efforts. Beyond her professional role, Ghediri has been active in youth-led NGOs as a board member and mentor, participating in international forums that promote youth leadership. She is particularly interested in monitoring and evaluation, translating data into policy insights, and researching innovation management.

Mariangela Panico, Italy

Panico is an Italian project coordinator and researcher with a background in Mediterranean Studies and International Relations. Her work centres on cultural diplomacy, youth empowerment and international cooperation. Growing up in southern Italy shaped her strong connection to the Mediterranean and commitment to cross-regional dialogue.

She has contributed to research and policy initiatives on migration, maritime security and regional stability. Alongside this, Panico coordinates Erasmus+ and community-based projects, building partnerships across Europe and the MENA region to promote inclusive and sustainable cooperation, with particular belief in grassroots engagement and youth leadership.

Kelly Indira Buis, Netherlands

Buis is a Dutch conflict analyst specialising in peacebuilding in the Middle East. Through her consultancy, The Adaptation Company, she partners with purpose-led organisations worldwide, supporting them to navigate complex environments and deliver meaningful impact.

She works as an independent project and programme manager, facilitator and strategic adviser. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Buis has studied in Türkiye, worked in Lebanon and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and contributed to initiatives in Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Yemen.

Ahmed Al-Mayadeen, Yemen

Al-Mayadeen is a humanitarian leader with over 10 years of experience across the MENA region, specialising in emergency response, programme management and donor relations. He holds Master’s degrees in Disaster Management and Public Health, as well as a diploma from Harvard Business School.

Throughout his career, Al-Mayadeen has mobilised multi-million-dollar funding through partnerships with UN agencies, including UNESCWA, UNHCR and WHO, and international NGOs. His expertise includes stakeholder engagement, policy advocacy and aligning complex initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Kate Burke, Ireland

Burke works at Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, focusing on security policy. Originally from Cork and now based in Dublin, she holds a BA in Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Sociology from Trinity College Dublin.

Her previous experience includes roles in press and communications at the Irish Embassy in London, teaching English in Japan and working as a freelance journalist. Burke brings a strong interest in public policy and international engagement, alongside personal interests in reading, cooking, yoga and community life.

Ayoub Bermi, Morocco

Bermi is President of Y-PEER Morocco, a youth-led network advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), youth empowerment and meaningful civic engagement. He has experience in youth advocacy, capacity-building and community mobilisation, working at the intersection of public policy, digital innovation and social impact.

Bermi has contributed to national and regional initiatives that strengthen youth participation in decision-making and promote inclusive, sustainable development. He is particularly interested in leveraging digital tools and artificial intelligence to enhance engagement and amplify marginalised voices, fostering collaborative solutions through mentorship, dialogue and strategic partnerships.

Aida Samani, Sweden

Samani is a Swedish legal professional specialising in international human rights law, international criminal law and migration law, holding an LL.M. from Lund University. Her experience includes roles with the Swedish Chancellor of Justice, the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations in New York and several human rights and humanitarian organisations.

Much of her work has focused on countering impunity and advancing transitional justice, particularly in relation to Syria. Samani also serves on the board of REMESO at Linköping University and is interested in strengthening rule-of-law frameworks across the EU–MENA region.

Dr. Ghaiath Salman, Syria

Salman is a Syrian medical doctor originally from Tartous, holding a degree in Human Medicine from Tartous University. Now based in Berlin, Germany, he is pursuing medical specialisation while working in quality management and capacity-building. Over the past decade, Salman has been actively engaged in civil society through volunteer and professional roles with local and national organisations.

His work focuses on dialogue facilitation, conflict analysis, peacebuilding, humanitarian response and youth development. He has supported hundreds of adolescents through life skills programmes, AfLatoon initiatives and efforts to prevent gender-based violence and harassment.

Hacı Ahmet Ünlü, Belgium

Ünlü is a Belgian–Turkish Policy Specialist and Youth Fellow at Blue Peace Middle East, working at the intersection of resource diplomacy and regional security. He focuses on the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem+ Nexus and has designed a sovereign financing mechanism to strengthen infrastructure resilience across the region.

Previously, Ünlü served at the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, reporting on Syria, migration dynamics and security, and coordinating high-level policy dialogues in Brussels. His work bridges policy frameworks with operational realities in the Middle East, fostering cross-regional exchange across Europe and the Mediterranean.

Mohamed Alnuaimi, United Arab Emirates

Alnuaimi is a sustainability-focused leader and PhD candidate in Soil Ecology, specialising in regenerative agriculture, soil carbon dynamics and climate-resilient farming systems. He holds an MSc in Agriculture, Ecology and Environment from the University of Reading, where his research examined CO₂ sequestration in UAE date palm cultivation systems.

Over the past decade, Alnuaimi has led diversified operations across manufacturing, mining, transport and investment as a General Manager and Managing Partner, integrating sustainability and circular economy principles into business strategy. A patent holder in aquaponics, he develops scalable, science-based solutions for resilient agricultural systems.

Beatrice Eriksson, Sweden

Eriksson is a Swedish practitioner and rights advocate working at the intersection of human rights, social sustainability and crisis response. She serves as Senior Adviser on crisis management and dialogue at the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society, focusing on freedom of religion or belief and support to faith communities.

Eriksson is also Co-Founder of Repatriate the Children Sweden, a children’s rights organisation supporting the repatriation and reintegration of children from Syria. A trained social worker, she has experience in crime prevention, restorative justice and emergency coordination across Europe and the MENA region.

Ola Badran, Syria

Badran is a Syrian Programme Policy Officer based in Damascus, with experience across humanitarian and development sectors. Her work advances women’s empowerment and protection, gender-responsive disaster risk management, early warning systems and climate adaptation.

She has integrated conflict sensitivity into early recovery programming, including following the 2023 earthquake, and collaborated on research at the nexus of conflict, gender, climate and inclusive governance. Badran holds a Master’s in International Cooperation, Finance and Development, and an MBA. She is committed to strengthening gender-responsive peacebuilding and humanitarian policy.

Carlos ORTEGA SÁNCHEZ, Spain

Ortega-Sánchez is a Spanish political scientist based in Istanbul, holding a PhD in Political Science and International Relations from Istanbul University. His research examines transnational identity governance between Türkiye and Europe, focusing on diaspora institutions, religion, social cohesion and non-state religious organisations.

He publishes academic and policy-oriented analysis on Turkish history, politics and foreign policy, and has authored a policy brief on Muslim burial rights in Europe for the Anna Lindh Foundation. Ortega Sánchez also works as a Türkiye-focused media analyst and translates Turkish literature into Spanish.

Mostafa Abbas, Egypt

Abbas is an Egyptian social entrepreneur, lawyer and European Climate Pact Ambassador, based between Berlin, Riyadh and Alexandria. A certified Erasmus+ trainer and member of both the Egyptian and German Bar Associations, he brings over 25 years of civil society experience across corporate social responsibility, culture, arts, tourism, democracy, human rights and sustainable development.

Abbas has served on Egypt’s Supreme Council of Culture and the advisory board of the EuroMed Music Academy for Peace. He was the first elected Head of Egypt’s Anna Lindh Foundation network and contributes to EU youth dialogue initiatives.

Neringa Tuméanaité, Lithuania

Tumėnaitė is a Lithuanian PhD candidate in Development Studies at SOAS University of London. Her research uses experimental and participatory methods, including audiovisual interventions and co-design, to examine tensions between institutional co-optation and transformative change for planetary wellbeing.

Focusing on EU–Africa and EU–Asia relations, she draws on decolonial thought and Baltic epistemologies to explore human–nature relations. Tumėnaitė has worked as a trainer across Asia, Europe and the South Mediterranean on youth participation and non-formal education. She has served on the Council of Europe’s Advisory Council on Youth and as a Fulbright-Schuman Fellow at Harvard.

Yara Alzubi, Jordan

Alzubi is a Project Manager at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Jordan office, where she designs and manages workshops and research initiatives on foreign policy in Jordan and the Levant. Her work supports high-level dialogue on regional security and the political economy of the Levant.

She holds a Master’s in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge, specialising in political development. Alzubi also volunteers with Atfaluna, supporting children from low-income households to access quality medical care. Her broader interests include public health, social impact and cross-cultural engagement through travel and documentary storytelling.

Martha Karin Gillberg, Sweden

Gillberg is a Swedish multitrack peace mediator and humanitarian based in Ukraine, working on civilian protection, early warning and response, and peacebuilding processes. She previously supported peacebuilding programmes in Iraq, facilitating interfaith dialogue in areas liberated from ISIS and advancing recognition of climate-related conflict risks through strategic media and donor engagement.

Her work has strengthened civic participation among youth and grassroots leaders. With a strong research and policy background, Gillberg has contributed to EU post-conflict reconstruction policy on Syria and holds an MSc in Conflict Studies from the London School of Economics.

Roger Asfar, Syria

Asfar is Syria Country Director at the Adyan Foundation and a freelance researcher and journalist. His work focuses on human rights, diversity, refugee and minority issues, and political analysis relating to Syria and Lebanon.

Through research and public engagement, Asfar promotes pluralism, social cohesion and inclusive citizenship, contributing to informed debate and equitable civic participation across the region.

Mohamad Moustafa Alabsi, Syria

Alabsi holds a PhD in Political Philosophy from the University of Grenoble-Alpes, France. His doctoral research examined the relationship between regime and state in the contemporary Middle East, analysing concepts such as “enemy”, “revolution” and “civil war” in political and legal theory, as well as in the context of the Arab Spring.

He was a postdoctoral fellow at the Columbia Global Center in Amman. Alabsi’s work focuses on philosophy of law, regime typologies, dictatorship and totalitarianism. He also leads “The Syrian Library”, a knowledge-transfer initiative providing Arabic-language access to Western scholarship on the Syrian conflict.

Josephine Forthmann, Sweden

Forthmann is a Swedish journalist based in Amman, covering political and societal change across the Middle East, with particular focus on Syria’s ongoing political transformation. Her reporting explores how shifts in power, governance and regional alliances shape daily realities and influence Europe–MENA relations.

She has previously worked in Israel and Palestine with environmental and dialogue initiatives, including EcoPeace Middle East and the Arava Institute. Through cross-border environmental cooperation and grassroots peace efforts, Forthmann has developed a strong commitment to dialogue grounded in sustained engagement, careful listening and meaningful connection.

Daniel Coleman, Ireland

Coleman is the EU Arabic Spokesperson at the EU Regional Media Office in Jordan. Irish by nationality, he has previously worked in Sudan, Egypt and Palestine. His role focuses on communicating EU policies, priorities and projects across the MENA region, using both social and traditional media platforms.

Through strategic outreach and media engagement, Coleman works to strengthen public understanding of the EU’s regional partnerships and policy positions.

Abeer Al Muhsin, UAE

Al Muhsin is an Agile Project Manager at Emirates Airlines, with over a decade of experience leading complex IT projects supporting the airline’s global operations. Alongside her work in aviation, she is a film director and producer.

She holds an MBA in Aviation Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Film Production. Her films and stage productions have been recognised by cultural institutions in the UAE and internationally, including the Malmö Arab Film Festival. In 2024, Al Muhsin was appointed Goodwill Ambassador of Sweden in the UAE in recognition of her contributions to cultural dialogue and bilateral engagement.

Alessandro Ceraci, Italy

Ceraci is an Italian graduate in Transnational Governance, specialising in Mediterranean affairs, with focus on environmental policy, migration and higher education diplomacy. With a background in teaching and communications, he produces accessible, impact-oriented content on civic education, democracy and the European Union.

Ceraci is co-creator of Officine d’Orizzonti, a civic education initiative connecting secondary schools in Florence with the European University Institute to promote informed and active European citizenship.

Abdulrahman Al Bo Ragheef, Iraq

Al Bo Ragheef is an Iraqi researcher and policy adviser specialising in the intersections of climate, security and human rights across the SWANA region and Europe.

He holds an MSc in Water and Sustainable Development from IHE Delft and serves on the International Youth Advisory Committee of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing strategic insight on youth-led resilience and inclusive policy in fragile contexts. As Co-Founder of the Sasa Institute, Al Bo Ragheef leads community-based advocacy bridging field-level justice narratives with institutional policy, promoting dialogue, social cohesion and multilateral cooperation.

Ibrahem Ahmad, Syria

Ahmad is a Syrian social entrepreneur committed to driving systemic social and environmental change. He works at The Sunrise Project, focusing on scaling social movements to accelerate the global energy transition.

Having lived across the MENA region and Europe, Ahmad brings a strong cross-regional perspective to climate action, social innovation and AI for good. He previously worked with Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs, and with beVisioneers, a global environmental fellowship supporting young eco-innovators.

Juliette Thijs, Belgium

Thijs is a Belgian programme manager working with the European Commission’s Cyprus Settlement Support Unit in Nicosia. She oversees a portfolio covering environmental protection, transport and digitalisation, supporting initiatives aimed at ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and facilitating Cyprus’ reunification.

Over the past six years, Thijs has worked in civil society and the public sector on EU and international programmes focused on climate neutrality, environmental protection and urban liveability. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Edinburgh and a Master’s in Urban Governance from Sciences Po Paris.

Dr. Róisín Burke, Ireland

Burke is an Irish practitioner–academic working at the intersection of peace and security, international law and gender justice. She is Assistant Professor of Public International Law at the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM), Utrecht University, teaching international security law, humanitarian and criminal law, transitional justice and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Burke has advised governments and international organisations on peace operations, gender justice and human rights in conflict settings. She currently leads an NWO-funded project on women’s participation in water diplomacy and environmental peacebuilding in the South Caucasus.

Diana Samara, Palestine

Samara is a Palestinian civil engineer and senior water management professional with over ten years of experience in water and wastewater services, institutional strengthening and sustainable resource management. She serves as Executive Manager of the Joint Service Council for Planning and Development – Water and Wastewater Department of Northwest Jerusalem, providing services to more than 40,000 people across nine communities.

Her work integrates technical leadership, governance reform and climate resilience, focusing on integrated water resources management and reducing non-revenue water. Samara advocates gender equality and women’s leadership in the water sector.