Hande Özsan Bozatli
Chair
Former President of the Assembly of European Regions (2013-2017). A former politician; the Former Vice President of Istanbul Provincial Council, representing the region of Istanbul at international platforms including the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities at the Council of Europe.
Okan Karadağ
Treasurer
A Hotelier with 25 years of international work experience in senior positions. He is the General Manager at the JW Marriott Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea.
Mr Karadağ has held managerial positions in prestigious hotel chains at different locations around the globe.
Mr Karadağ has held managerial positions in prestigious hotel chains at different locations around the globe.
Barbara Dietrich
Director of Diplomatic and Foreign Affairs
Senior Executive, CEO and Owner of Diplomatic World Magazine. Senator at World Business Angels Investment Forum, Committee Member at Global Woman Leaders Committee World Business Angels Investment Forum. Institutional Partner at FEMOZA, and International Relations Advisor at Blockchain & Climate Institute. Member Advisory Board at Alternative Development Organization. Chairwomen of Diplomatic World Foundation for Women and Curator of Art and Cultural Events for Living Tomorrow.
Mariela Alickolli
Project Manager
EU Funding Project Counselor – Specializing in EU funding consultancy and management, navigating through complexities of EU grant applications and maximizing funding opportunities. With expertise in transnational – cross border – EU funding programmes I provide strategic advice and support to ensure successful project implementation and compliance with EU regulations.
Laura Batalla Adam
An experienced policy advisor and democracy advocate with a rich background in governance and civic engagement. Currently, she leads Ashoka’s Changemaker Europe initiative, dedicated to cultivating a transformative perspective on democracy and civic participation. Laura has held pivotal roles at the European Parliament, where she mostly worked on foreign policy and human rights. Her extensive work in policy formulation and legislative processes, coupled with her dedication to empowering diverse voices, defines her commitment to fostering inclusive and participatory governance.
Carina Eriksson
President of the Swedish international development organization – SWEDO.
Civil servant/Senior advisor with extensive experience in external relations at regional, national and international level.
Many years of experience in the EU and the Middle East.
Civil servant/Senior advisor with extensive experience in external relations at regional, national and international level.
Many years of experience in the EU and the Middle East.
Akile Gürsoy
Turkish anthropologist and academician with experience in civil society and academic administration nationally and internationally.
Former (founding) president of SASBİL – The Association of Social Sciences in Health in İstanbul. Former secretary general of the International Forum for Social Science and Health (elected in Venezuela in 2003).
Present member & former representative of Türkiye at the European Science Foundation.
Former (founding) president of SASBİL – The Association of Social Sciences in Health in İstanbul. Former secretary general of the International Forum for Social Science and Health (elected in Venezuela in 2003).
Present member & former representative of Türkiye at the European Science Foundation.
Thomas Hartman
Swedish politician and civil servant with extensive experience in politics on local, regional, national, and international levels. As Director of External Relations and Strategic Place Management at Region Västerbotten, he brings experience in leadership roles, including previous positions as a Regional Manager and Communications Director.
A long-time participant in the European regional organisation Assembly of European Regions, AER, and a passionate lecturer on leadership, communication, and mental training, dedicated to enhancing organizational and individual capacities. Dedicated to fostering informed and engaged communities.
A long-time participant in the European regional organisation Assembly of European Regions, AER, and a passionate lecturer on leadership, communication, and mental training, dedicated to enhancing organizational and individual capacities. Dedicated to fostering informed and engaged communities.
Katarzyna Jędrzejczyk-Kuliniak
Holds a PhD in Political Science. She works as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of International Relations and Security at the University of Wroclaw. Academic teacher, and practitioner in the field of intercultural dialogue. Interdisciplinary interests focus on the aspects of relations between representatives of different cultures, cultural security, minority-majority relations along identity in a globalized world.
Sanja Šifliš Lucic
Head of the Department for Inter-regional and inter-parliamentary cooperation and protocol in the Assembly of AP Vojvodina. President of the Managing Board of the “Institute for Equal Opportunities”. Former President of the Managing Board of the NGO for Youth “PRONI”, today “Forum Syd” with HQ in Sweden.
Roy Perry
British politician based in Hampshire. Former Member of European Parliament. Member of Parliamentary Delegation to Israel and Palestine. President Parliamentary Association Euro-Arab Co-operation 2002-2004. Leader of Hampshire County Council. Former Vice President of the Assembly of European Regions (2015-2018). Currently Chairman of South East England Councils.
Jacek Pilawa
Councillor of the Lower Silesian Regional Assembly (2008-2018). Chairman of the AER Subcommittee on International Cooperation from 2010 to 2014. Awarded the Diploma of Recognition of the German Ambassador in Poland and the medal of the Association of Expellees of Thuringia BdV in 2019 for his activity in the area of Polish-German cooperation. In 2018 awarded the title “Local Government Politician of the Year of Polish Youth Policy”. Awarded the “Civic Medal” of the city of Oberasbach in Bavaria in 2024 for his activities in the field of town twinning.