Speakers

Dr. Maurizio Geri is a former analyst on the Middle East and North Africa region at the NATO Allied Command Transformation in the US, NATO Southern Hub in Italy and NATO HQ in Belgium. He is currently an Assistant at the NATO Center for Maritime Research and Experimentation in La Spezia, Italy. Dr. Geri has more than 20 years of experience in research and operations on peace and security, stability operations, democratization and human rights, particularly in the MENA region.

Samuel Doveri Vesterbye is Managing Director at the European Neighbourhood Council (ENC) and specializes in Turkey, Central Asia and the Middle East. He oversees ENC research projects across the neighbourhood and Central Asia, including Academic Council Members and regional strategy. His research is focused on EU-MENA and EU-Turkey relations in trade, accession, energy, migration, and regional neighbourhood policy. He is the author of numerous research studies, including Palgrave Macmillan’s Managing Security Threats along the EU’s Eastern Flanks.

Ipek Tekdemir is a Brussels-based political analyst and strategic communications advisor. Her research revolves around communications, EU politics, diplomacy, Eurasia affairs as well as culture and education. She regularly volunteers as a “young professional advisor” for United Europe e.V, an organization that connects leading experts across countries and industries to develop responsible solutions to build a united and competitive Europe. Tekdemir is a member of the European Association for International Education and NAFSA: Association of International Educators. She comments for and is published in many international periodicals.

Yusuf Erim is the Editor at Large of Turkiye's english language public broadcaster TRT World. Mr. Erim is a Turkish foreign policy and MENA region expert with over a decade of experience in the field as a journalist and researcher. He has conducted many interviews with heads of state, top diplomats and thought leaders throughout the region. Erim has lectured on Turkish foreign policy at many universities and think tanks, written several articles published in international newspapers and comments on regional issues for many top global news channels.

Dr. Maurizio Geri is a former analyst on the Middle East and North Africa region at the NATO Allied Command Transformation in the US, NATO Southern Hub in Italy and NATO HQ in Belgium. He is currently an Assistant at the NATO Center for Maritime Research and Experimentation in La Spezia, Italy. Dr. Geri has more than 20 years of experience in research and operations on peace and security, stability operations, democratization and human rights, particularly in the MENA region.

Joanna Pszczola is a Senior EU Communications and PR Expert. Events moderator, TV and Radio Host, 15 years of experience in the EU Communications. Political Campaigns, Social Media Campaigns & Strategies Expert, EU Campaigns. Peace and Security, Terrorism, Development, International Relations, Education, Peace-building, Law, History.