Speakers/experts

CONFERENCE MODERATOR 

Ambassador Hatem Atallah (Tunisia)

Coming from a rich diplomatic background that encompassed over 35 years, Ambassador Atallah was the Tunisian Ambassador in several countries including the US, the UK, South Africa and Ethiopia, He was also the Permanent Representative of Tunisia to the Organization of American States, the African Union, the Economic Commission for Africa, UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), UN-Habitat, and the International Maritime Organization. He was appointed the Diplomatic Advisor to the Head of the Tunisian Government until February 2015. Ambassador Atallah participated in numerous summits, ministerial meetings and high level conferences of the African Union, the United Nations and the Union for the Mediterranean.

From March 2015 to December 2017 he served as Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation for Dialogue between Cultures in the Euro-Mediterranean Region. Ambassador Atallah serves as Vice Président of the Euro-Med University (EMUNI) in Slovenia and member of the Senate. He also serves on the Board of Governors of the Gorée Institute in Sénégal and is a founding member of « AVASP » (Institute for Strategic Analysis and Prospective Studies – Tunis).

MAIN SPEAKERS

Piret Hartman, Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture

Piret Hartman is the Estonian minister of regional affairs and agriculture. The area of government of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture is very wide. Minister is responsible for rural, agricultural and fisheries policy design and implementation; coordinates the activities related to animal and plant protection; develops farmers’ market orientation and works to ensure the sustainability of agricultural production; coordinates the Estonian Rural Policy and so much more. The area of government of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture includes three governmental authorities, two administered state authorities and eight other legal persons – four public enterprises and four public foundations. Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture is one of the largest ministries in Estonia.

Helena Braun, Head of Political Team of the European Commission Representation in Estonia

Helena Braun is currently leading the political team at the European Commission Representation in Estonia. Between May 2017 and August 2023, Helena was a Member of the Cabinet of Frans Timmermans, the Executive Vice-President (EVP) of the European Commission leading the work on the European Green Deal, and until September 2024 a Member of the Cabinet of EVP Maroš Šefčovič who succeeded EVP Timmermans. Under the Green Deal, Helena was responsible for biodiversity, forest, circular economy and chemicals policy, and the climate mitigation and adaptation dimension of these Green Deal pillars. Before that, Helena was the sustainable development advisor of the First Vice-President Timmermans in the Juncker Commission. Prior to joining the European Commission, Helena held different positions in the Estonian Government, advised OECD on regulatory policy and good governance in several countries, and gave lectures on EU Law at Tartu University.

Elva Rakel Jónsdóttir, Managing Director of Festa – Center for Sustainability Experience (Iceland)

Elva Rakel Jónsdóttir is the CEO for Festa Center for Sustainability, an organisation of 200 of the largest companies in Iceland focusing solely on promoting the path to sustainability. Festa puts an emphasis on helping to future proof companies and organisations, building bridges and knowledge sharing, facilitating change and ESG capacity building among its members. Elva Rakel Jónsdóttir was previously the Director of the Department of Climate and Circular Economy at the Environment Agency of Iceland. For thirteen years she was also of CEO for the Icelandic division of the Nordic Ecolabel; The Swan. Elva Rakel has a BA in anthropology and an MSc from Lumes, Lund University in international environmental and sustainability science. Elva Rakel is also a board member of Green Scouts Iceland and The Association of Environmental Scientists of Iceland.

Janne Rajala, president of “Green Habito” European Civil Society Network

Janne Rajala is a senior cloud architect, sustainability ambassador at Atea Finland and leader of the Green Habito Network (Finland). He’s passionate about sustainability, both in terms of the environmental impact and promoting a sustainable lifestyle. Rajala’s vision of the sustainable future its not about talk its an actions! He has played an important role in creating Geen Habito platform for collaboration between organisations, businesses and politicians across Europe to tackle the most pressing environmental challenges. He’s actively involved in the network’s work like conferences, workshops, and trainings, ensuring the network is at the forefront of sustainable development efforts across Europe.

EXPERTS

 Anneli Ohvril, Green Tiger Foundation

Anneli Ohvril is a sustainability and circular economy expert from Estonia with over 20 years of experience managing projects across the private, public, and civil society sectors. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Let’s Do It World, the largest environmental organization globally, with representatives and offices in 164 countries. Let’s Do It World leads the UN-recognized World Cleanup Day, an initiative that engages tens of millions of people annually to pick up trash and raise global awareness of the waste problem. In Estonia, Anneli has spearheaded various social and environmental initiatives, including movements against single-use plastics, promoting composting habits, and initiating environmental projects for children and youth. Anneli is also a member of Green Tiger, a cross-sector collaboration platform launched in 2020. The platform aims to devise, teach, and implement plans for a balanced economy. Green Tiger unites over 80 Estonian companies under the belief that a joint and coordinated green leap has a greater societal impact than isolated actions. Its mission is to share knowledge and tools for sustainable change while providing a collaborative platform for sharing experiences, successes, and lessons learned. Anneli’s mission is to initiate Global Green Academy that engage change makers for the joint network to share the knowhow and support. Anneli holds two master’s degrees: Economics (University of Tartu, 1995) and Change Management in Society (2020).

Madis Tilga, Advisor on Green transition for Estonian Ministry of Climate

I have been working with sustainable transition for over 13 yrs, mainly with international co-operation projects on bioeconomy, circular economy and energy. Then dived into start-up life with an ambition to change how we loop nutrients in the food system. And now working in the Ministry of Climate as green transition adviser. My main role is to facilitate nation-wide green reform, so that it becomes better understood, shall be more visible and better co-ordinated. Practically it entails taking stock and update respective policy papers and development plans, co-ordinate partner and civil servant networks, design indicator and data sets for green transition and run task force on green business transition and ministerial commission.

Ivan Sergejev, Just transition process coordinator, Estonian Ministry of Finance

Ivan Sergejev is an architect and expert in territorial transformations, currently coordinating the just transition process in Ida-Virumaa, Estonia for the Estonian Ministry of Finance. Previously the head of sustainable construction at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Ivan has gained diverse professional experience in Estonia, Netherlands and the United States, most notably at the world’s leading office for architecture and cultural analyses Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA*AMO) in New York City. Having started his architectural studies at the Estonian Academy of Arts, Ivan received his MArch degree from the Virginia Tech School of Architecture + Design while on a Fulbright Fellowship in the United States.

Frederic Roussel, Co-founder and Development, Partnerships, Innovation & Prospective Director of ACTED (France) 

Kaidi Tamm, Sustainable Development Programme Senior Expert, Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn (Estonia)

Kaidi Tamm is a Senior Expert and the head of SEI Tallinn’s Sustainable Cities and Resilient Communities Unit.  Kaidi’s background is in social sciences and humanities. She holds a PhD in Sociology from Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany. Kaidi’s areas of work include co-creation of resilient communities and urban sustainability, sustainability governance and policy, systemic sustainability assessment and SDG implementation, climate adaptation actions, sustainable consumption and production practices, such as sufficiency strategies and sharing economy, and capacity building for cultural and behavioral change facilitating the transition to more sustainable mindsets and lifestyles. Before joining SEI, she worked at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology’s (KIT) Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis in transdisciplinary projects related to urban sustainability transformations, capacity building of municipal staff and other stakeholders for tackling complex sustainability issues, as well as facilitating climate adaptation and energy transformation through participatory approaches. She also co-developed a complementary study program on sustainable development at KIT and continues to teach there, focusing on sustainable urban development, sustainable production and consumption strategies and practices, and actions related to capacity building for personal sustainability and sustainability leadership. Kaidi also works in sustainability consultancy, focusing on sustainability assessment, change management and capacity building to support the great transition.

Michael G. Kavuklis, Coordinator in Chief of the Europe, Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Development Forum of Rhodes

Michael G. Kavuklis is a Political Scientist / International Relations (BA, MA) and owner of the marketing agency mgk.advertising, from Rhodes, Greece, specialised in branding, web development, content  developement, local marketing, digital marketing and marketing in the sectors of tourism, SMEs, academia, culture and civil society. He is a certified alternative tourism consulant. He has a long experience and involvement in projects as youth and for youth, intercultural dialogue, active citizenship, European integration, sustainbable development and entrepreneurship. He currently serves as the President of the House of Europe in Rhodes, Founder and Head of the Organizing Committee of the “Rhodes Model Regional Co-operation” youth leadership conference, Founder and Head of the Organizing Committee of the Europe, Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Development Forum – EESD Forum Rhodes,  Vice President of the European Network for Education and Training e.V. – EUNET and the Focal Point of the Greek Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation for Aegean and Crete.

Ásta Kristín Sigurjónsdóttir, CEO of Iceland Tourism Cluster

Liisa Kokkarinen, Head of Sustainable Development of Visit Finland 

Liisa Kokkarinen is Visit Finland’s leading expert in sustainable development, and passionate about using tourism as a catalyst for better. At Visit Finland she is behind Visit Finland’s Climate Action Plan and heads the national Sustainable Travel Finland program, a low tress-hold development program to assist Finnish travel companies and destinations to adapt sustainable practices. The goal is ambitious; making sustainable, low carbon travel the norm. Experienced and educated in Arctic matters and sustainable development, Liisa is always seeking solutions to decarbonise, reduce inequalities and ways to leave places better. Liisa firmly believes, that investing in climate action and sustainable tourism secures the long-term viability of the entire industry, creates profoundly positive impact, and ensures the continued happiness for everyone – now and in the future.

Imbi Lepik-Martinson,  Sustainability Manager of Visit Estonia 

Imbi Lepik-Martinson leads sustainable tourism development at Visit Estonia. With over two decades of experience in tourism and regional development, her role primarily involves facilitating sustainable tourism growth. This includes promoting certification schemes for tourism businesses, such as Green Key, and serving as the national representative for Green Destinations, a global organization supporting sustainable destinations, their businesses, and communities. We have seven Green Destinations Awarded destinations working together to develop innovative solutions for making sustainable trip planning the best experience ever.

Annis Boufrikha, Head of Anna Lindh Foundation Tunisian Network / We love Sousse (Tunisia)

Anis Boufrikha from Tunisia, Sousse with a degree in international economics and then a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and another in creative entrepreneurship. He joined the African Development Bank in 2007 as a research assistant In charge of the bank’s database in NGOs in 2014, it launches its own development box through which it manages several projects and provides training related to socio-cultural development and governance as well as several other expertise related to project management and To associative governance In 2011 he created the association we love Sousse, once launched it multiplies the encounter and develops the idea of We love associations network which was officially created in February 2012 with the assistance of 10 Associations we love in 6 different countries In 2012 he was elected head of Tunisian network of Anna Lindh Foundation and he is currently coordinating several associations throughout Tunisia.

Mahmoud Ezzat, Director of Center for Strategic Studies, Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Egypt)

Dr. Mahmoud Ezzat got his PhD in political science in 2017 from the Institute of Asian Studies and Researches in Egypt. In addition, his Master’s degree in political science in 2013 from the faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University. He is an Egyptian researcher and writer in the political, historical and cultural, media fields. His contributions have been published in several magazines and periodicals in Egypt, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Europe. He has been awarded the Egyptian state incentive award in social science “Media and Press branch” 2013, the international organization of African and Asian writers annual prize 2009 and Al- Kindy prize (Best website in the Arab world), Syria 2009. He’s responsible for the cultural exchange file at Central Projects and services sector and promoting the cultural cooperation between Bibliotheca Alexandrina and foreign organizations, institutions, and NGOs “Locally, regionally and internationally” Also was responsible for the Memory of Modern Egypt website, and for several documentation websites. He has been named as a general coordinator of the International Football Tournament for Media and Journalists.

Kadri Jalonen, CEO of Ida-Viru tourism cluster.

The cluster was initiated by the local businesses and some municipalities in 2010. Nowadays it involves the most active businesses in the sector and all the local municipalities in Ida-Virumaa. In 2018 the cluster won the Estonian so-called Tourism Oscar (the best tourism promoter ) for establishing a new specific (adventures) tourism destination in the PPP partnership. The cluster aims to become the nr. 1. tourism destination in Estonia next to Tallinn in 2035. One of the unique selling points of the destination is the reused industrial heritage objects: Estonian Mining Museum, Kiviõli Adventure Centre, Aidu Water Adventures Centre and Estonian Motohill. Kadri Jalonen has been involved in developing of the cluster from it ´s beginning. Main fields of competence- building up long-lasting strategy and partnership, fundraising.

Antoine Gambin, coordinator of  Vision for the Med Association (Malta/Italy)

Antoine Gambin has been 20+ years in concepts development and leader of a concepts lab in tourism, culture, entrepreneurship and research, leader and part of steering committees of European and Mediterranean cooperation. Has had prior experience in the publishing sector and in tourism operations and strategies related to hotel takeovers. He is currently coordinator of  Vision for the Med Association. 

Ingrid Nielsen, renewable energy expert, Estonian Fund for Nature

Ingrid Nielsen works in Estonian Fund for Nature (ELF) as a renewable energy advocacy expert, she concentrates on finding better alternatives to our energy needs at the same time protecting the environment. Her areas of interest are also questions on energy sufficiency, promoting inclusion of biodiversity measures in renewable energy parks and supporting advocacy work for budding community energy projects in the Baltics.

Iva Ridjan Skov, Associate Professor, Sustainable Energy Planning Research Group of Aalborg University (Denmark)

Iva Ridjan Skov is an Associate Professor in Energy Planning and Renewable Energy Systems at Aalborg University Denmark. She holds a PhD in electrofuels and renewable energy systems. Her research is focused on electrofuel (PtX) pathways for liquid and gaseous fuels for 100% renewable systems and energy system analysis of these pathways from technical, socio-economic and policy perspectives. Analyses include demand side, energy system impacts, cross-sectorial integration, and utilisation of by-products such as waste heat from electrolysis. She is currently leading several WPs in different PtX and CCU projects that look into PtX jet-fuel (e-jet) pathways and market potential, system integration of waste heat in a power-to-methanol plant, the production potential of PtX fuels, port readiness levels for transition to PtX fuels and CO2 import/export, roadmap for hydrogen hubs in Nordics. She is also researching how to create a sustainable future renewable energy system with the lowest possible climate risk.

Masha Lukyanchuk, Head of Business Development, European Region, World Energy Council (Belgium)

Masha oversees the European membership community of the World Energy Council, fostering energy collaborations within the region. With over 20 years of experience in business development and strategy across industries, including a decade in the energy sector, she specializes in energy transition scenarios and their impact on performance and long-term strategy. She holds a degree in Economics, an MBA with a marketing focus, as well as a business coaching certification. Passionate about sustainable and equatable energy solutions, Masha is committed to driving innovation and resilience in the energy industry, with a particular emphasis on the human-centric aspects of energy.

Malek Atallah COO & General Manager, Wattnow (France)

Malek Atallah, currently based in Toulouse France, is driving the adoption of innovative solutions for industrial and commercial clients worldwide. As the COO of Wattnow and General Manager of the French subsidiary Wattnow France, Malek spearheads cutting-edge projects that leverage artificial intelligence and IoT to optimize energy consumption, reduce emissions, and enhance operational efficiency. With a strong international background as well as business leadership, Malek has played an important role in scaling Wattnow’s operations and developing impactful partnerships with global companies, including Safran, Orange, Carrefour or Hutchinson. His work emphasizes integrating deep tech and AI-driven analytics, with a focus on reducing Scope 1 & 2 emissions and achieving decarbonization and energy efficiency targets for industries.

Maksis Apinis, Energy transformation expert of “Green Liberty” Society” (Latvia) 

Maksis Apinis is an energy transformation expert and campaigner at environmental NGO “Green Liberty” and international NGO “CEE Bankwatch Network”. Main areas of work are sustainable energy, climate policy, just transition and public investments, with particular focus on EU funds. Most of his professional activity are advocating for improved use of public funding and raising the ambition of policies and goals in order to mitigate climate crisis. Maksis holds a master’s degree in environmental sciences and has been working in non-profit civil society sector since 2017.

Kaire Kuldpere is the Head of Environment and Sustainability of the Energy Group Utilitas (Estonia)

Kaire Kuldpere is the Head of Environment and Sustainability of the energy group Utilitas. Kaire has long-term work and leadership experience in the fields of environment, energy, infrastructure and sustainability both in private and public sectors. She holds a Master’s degree in Heat Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Environmental Protection Technology form TalTech. Experiences: Long-term work and leadership experience in the fields of environment, energy, infrastructure and sustainability in general. Previously she has worked as a consultant and project manager in the field of energy and environment, as an auditor and audit manager at the National Audit Office of Estonia.

Stefanos Vallianatos , Co-Founder of Fotoessa, Head of Greek Network of Anna Lindh Foundation (Greece)

Stefanos Vallianatos holds a Ph.D. in International Politics (on Middle East Foreign Policy Making) from Lancaster University and and an MA on Western European Politics. Currently, he is heading the department of International Relations of the Hellenic Foundation for Culture, and is co-founder of the CSO Fotoessa  (for Eductaion, Research & Action). He is also the coordinator of the Greek National Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation, has taught Middle East and Balkan Politics, participated in several conferences and gave lectures on Middle East Politics, on the state of Civil Society in the Euro-Med and the Middle East, on civic education and on intercultural dialogue and cities. He is a certified trainer on Creative and Social Entrepreneurship and has implemented projects educational, cultural and creative nature. His publications include volumes on International Relations in the Middle East, on the political system and evolution of Iran, on Arab Civil Society after the Arab Spring, the ALF and EUNIC: case studies of multi-lateral cultural diplomacy, Euro-Mediterranean Civil Society at a crossroad, and others.

Åsa Ström Hildestrand, representative of Nordregio (Sweden)

Åsa Ström Hildestrand has a Master in political science and development cooperation from Uppsala University. She has 20+ years of work experience from positions in several Swedish ministries, international NGOs, and Nordic collaboration. Areas of expertise include sustainable development governance, communications, regional policy, labour market integration of immigrants, women’s economic empowerment, project management, and international cooperation. Åsa manages several projects related to sustainable development, including Nordic cooperation for Agenda 2030 at the local level and Nordic Programme for Sustainable Living.

Morten Hagevik Head of Culture and Sports, Porsgrunn Municipality (Norway)

Morten Hagevik has a masters degree in music education (cand.musicae) from the Norwegian Academy of Music, and he has been teaching from kindergarten to several universities in Norway. Hagevik has also taught theater music analysis at the Bårdar Academy in Oslo. He has been general manager of the Norwegian Music Council, the Norwegian Theater Council, Larvik Culture House, Marketing manager of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra and Head Master at Porsgrunn School for the Arts. He is very occupied in the importance of cultural economy and voluntary work in the creation of our common future.

Mayri Tiido, Founder and CEO of Lowmerism (Estonia)

Mayri Tiido is an adult educator with 12 years of experience and an entrepreneur. Daily, she promotes the circular economy in Estonia through trainings, awareness raising and the start-up Materialivoog. She is a certified trainer of the circular design method CIRCO in Estonia and completed a training on Circular Business Model Innovations at the University of Cambridge. She is a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation network, the world’s largest foundation promoting the circular economy. She is a guest lecturer at the Estonian Business School and University of Tartu Pärnu College on sustainability and the circular economy.ddd

Karoliina Vaakanainen, Co-Chair of the Finnish Agenda2030 Youth Group (Finland)

Karoliina Vaakanainen is a young expert and activist from Finland. She is the Co-Chair of the Finnish Agenda2030 Youth Group; a group of 16 young people, who work to advocate for and implement the UN Agenda2030. The group works alongside the Prime Minister’s Office and the Commission on Sustainable Development.  In addition, she is the Advocacy Coordinator for the Finnish Youth, Peace and Security Network, that advances the UN Security Council Resolution 2250: Youth, Peace and Security. Previously, she has acted, among others, as the Chair of UN Youth of Finland. Vaakanainen has a long background in the youth and NGO field, and has particular expertise in themes of peace and security, sustainability and equality. In her professional capacity, Vaakanainen has vast experience in international affairs and communications.

Yassine Isbouia, expert in Youth and Civil Society issues in FOMEJE (Morocco)

Yassine Isbouia is a visiting professor at the Faculty of Education Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, as well as a researcher and international expert in youth and civil society issues. He is pursuing a Ph.D. at the Laboratory of Educational Policies and Social Dynamics at the same university. Yassine holds a specialized Master’s degree in Education and Animation from the Royal Institute for Youth and Sports. With over 20 years of experience in youth development in Morocco and internationally, Yassine serves as the General Coordinator of the Mediterranean Forum for Youth (FOMEJE) and the National Coordinator of the “No Hate Speech” Movement. Previously, he held the position of Director of the National Institute for Youth and Democracy under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Yassine is actively engaged in addressing climate change and digital transformation challenges, integrating these pressing global issues into his work on youth empowerment and civil society. As an internationally accredited trainer by the Council of Europe and SALTO-Youth Euro-Med, Yassine has organized numerous national and international training sessions and conferences in collaboration with government sectors and international organizations.

Mette Brogden, Ph.D., Professor of Practice, University of Arizona School of Global Studies/Human Rights Practice, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ, USA)

Dr. Brogden is a cultural and medical anthropologist who teaches graduate level courses on Migration Pathways (Central America to the U.S., and West Africa to Europe); Human Rights Crises and Trauma, CSOs & NGOs Advancing Human Rights. She holds a Ph.D. from University of Arizona. Mette`s research interests include international migration; trauma impacts and social healing from extreme violence and human rights violations; indigenous rights and cultural heritage protection; and rights of species and ecological systems.  From 2003-2017 while serving in leadership positions in resettlement agencies, state and city governments in Tucson, Texas, Wisconsin, Baltimore and Seattle, she oversaw the resettlement and integration of over 13,000 refugees to the U.S. from various of African countries, Asian and Middel East countries, the former Yugoslavia, and the former Soviet Union. Prior to 2003 she served as a neutral mediator/ facilitator in environmental and public policy conflict resolution processes across local, state, and national levels at UA’s Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy.

Auður H. Ingólfsdóttir, Director of Climate and Circular Economy Department, Department for Climate and Circular Economy, The Environment Agency of Iceland

Dr. Auður H. Ingólfsdóttir is the Director of the Department of Climate and Ciruclar Economy at the Environment Agency of Iceland. The Agency is responsible for the implementation of various environmental legislation in Iceland. Dr. Ingólfsdóttir has an educational background in international relations, with a special focus on international development, gender studies, environmental policy, and natural resources.   Prior to her post at the Environment Agency, she was an academic for 20+ years. Her teaching and research throughout the years has focused on the intersection between politics, environment, natural resource management and social justice.

Gunnhildur Magnusdottir, associate professor of Malmö University (Sweden)

Gunnhildur Magnusdottir is Associate Professor in Political Science and Deputy Head of the Department of Global Political Studies in Malmö University. Her main research fields: Climate and energy policy-making; International relations; -European integration; and Small states in the European Union.

Associate Professor Michael Søgaard Jørgensen, Aalborg University (Denmark)

Associate Professor Michael Søgaard Jørgensen is an Honorary doctor, Associate Professor at Department of Sustainability and Planning at Aalborg University Denmark and coordinates research within sustainable production and consumption. He holds a M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in technology assessment. His main research focuses on sustainable innovation and sustainable transition. Currently his research topics are: Circular economy with a focus on product lifetime, business models, civil society activities within product repair, and the possibilities of public authorities to support circular economy. Second research topic is sustainable transition of production and consumption of food with a specific focus on plant-based food and its potentials for health, environment and employment. Since 2019, he is the chairman of the Society of Green Technology within Danish Society of Engineers. He is also their expert on product lifetime and member of their working group on critical raw materials.

Rudy Raes, Director of D’broej Centrum West, (Belgium)

Mr. Rudy Raes, from Ghent, Belgium, actual manager of D’Broej Centrum West, VZW, a multicultural youth organisation specialised in inclusive work with young people in precarious situation. Specialist in intercultural dialogue, inclusive and holistic approach of working with youngsters and learning through experience.
He is involved in experimental and sustainable youth work in West-Africa (Benin), based on continuing youth engagement. He is a multilingual and co-related with several organisations in Belgium representing different communities in Brussels.

Elis Vollmer, head of the Centre of Renewable Energy of the Estonian University of Life Sciences

Elis Vollmer Elis Vollmer is a project manager at the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies, University of Tartu, and works as an acting head of the Centre of Renewable Energy, Estonian University of Life Sciences. She has MSc in environmental protection. She has worked in the Centre of Renewable Energy since 2006, focusing mainly on co-operation and dissemination activities. She is responsible for organising annual national conference “Investigation and Usage of Renewable Energy Sources”, which brings together researchers, entrepreneurs and politicians to discuss most pressing matters and new developments in the field. In 2018-2019, she was Estonian representative in the International Energy Agency, assigned by Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. She currently leads the workgroup on addressing SDGs at EMU. She has extensive experience in leading renewable energy projects (both national and EU level), project coordination, trainings and communication. During the past twelve years, she has improved the cooperation network with local municipalities and policy makers in Estonia and CEE region. She is the chairwoman of the board for the international Central and Eastern European Sustainable Energy Network (CEESEN).

Rashid Abubakar Iddrisu , Founder of CEHDA (Spain)

Rashid Abubakar Iddrisu is the Founder/CEO of World Institute of Africa Culture and Traditions (WIACT) in Sawla, rural northern Ghana (2019) and also founded Culture Environment Human Development Association (CEHDA) in Spain (2008) where he is a legal permanent resident. In Barcelona, he helps migrants to stabilize, meet basic needs and grow food. He travels frequently back to Sawla to oversee the affiliate NGO CEHDA Ghana in recovering traditional agricultural and culinary practices, and to develop local opportunities for youth so they do not need to try to migrate to Europe for economic opportunities. WIACT works with tribal elders to document African languages and traditional cultures, and to implement indigenous education in K12 schools that young people can reconnect with their ancestral heritages, local environments, and traditional ecological knowledge (www.wiactghana.org). Mr. Iddrisu is a recognized expert in Gonja language and traditions, a traditional singer, and a polyglot who speaks 8 African languages, Spanish and English fluently.

YOUTH PANEL

Hanah Lahe, Member of the Estonian Parliament

Environment and nature have been close to my heart all my life. I am convinced that systemic change that starts with policy has to take place to mitigate climate change. Endless economic growth, treating nature just as a resource, and living at the expense of younger generations cannot continue – every year we set a new record of pushing the planetary boundaries. I stand for an ambitious and internationally enforceable climate policy that will ensure a sustainable life for present and future generations.

Mathias Nikolai Berg, Leader of Grorud Venstre (Norway)

Mathias is one of many political youth in the city of Oslo, He was the longest sitting youth council member. Having been one for 6 years. Then transitioning into party politics for the liberal party of Norway, as one of the youngest 1. Candidates during the election of 2023. Mathias is currently the leader of Grorud Venstre. Mathias has attended conferences before, and has developed politics and represented the liberal party in debates about climate politics. His last contribution was conducting a speech and participation in public debates in the framework of Nordic-Baltic Sustainability Conference 2024 “Empowering CSOs and Communities for Sustainable Change: building the green future of the Nordic-Baltic region” in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Alejandra Adventure, Nordic Youth Organization (Denmark)

Alejdanra Adventura is Youth assistant at YTOP international. She is aa cofounder and project manager for HumanAid Kakuma and board member at Nordic Youth Organization. Project coordinator at Blå veje organisation and project Feniz. Co-founder of Melodies that Matter, humanitarian aid concerts. She has been active in many educational programms: Women’s federation for World peace – Peace bridge, Blue Self-Defence training, Møn film highschool short-film festival and Nordic-Baltic sustainable development partnership projects. After 14 years of active participation in various youth organizations, this much is clear: “If you plan to be here tomorrow as well, no matter your age, you too are the future. Together individuals build a sustainable world”.

 Stefán Örn Ingvarsson Olsen,  Landssamband ungmennafélaga (Iceland)

Stefán Örn Ingvarsson Olsen is a 21-year-old electrician from Reykjavík. He has from a young age had a burning passion for the environment and especially the ocean as he grew up surfing in the cold waters of Iceland. He has been active in youth political movements regarding youth after school activity and the environment through the organizations of SAMFÉS and LUF (The National Youth Council of Iceland). He has been a participant in Nordic-Baltic youth and sustainability projects in Estonia and Denmark.

Daina Arfanova, representative of University of Cologne (Germany)

Artan Adra, yourh represetnative of  BX-JEUNES (Belgium)

WORKSHOPS 

Mrs. Susanne Kallanvaara, Teacher at Burgårdens gymnasium (Sweden)

She has graduated as upper secondary teacher at Göteborg University in Sweden in 1984 and has a vast experience of teaching all levels of Swedish for immigrants up to university level. Currently employed at Munkebäcksgymnasiet in Göteborg. Has been active in the Swedish Anna Lindh network from the very start and has taken part in more than ten international projects within the European Life-Long Learning programme. The previous project at Munkebäcksgymnasiet ”Different Faces of Europe” was awarded both a national and a European quality label in the etwinning portal. Another on-going Erasmus+ project at the same school is ”Fundamental Rights in European Education (F.R.E.E.) and leading role EuroMed project inluding 10 countries “Euromed: Education without borders”. She deals with open and innovative education, training and youth work embedded in the digital era.

Mirell Merirand, Trainer and founder of Tekstiiliringlus (Estonia)