MAY 2021 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY - PROGRAM
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MAY
2021
AMSTERDAM
ACTION
ACADEMY
PROGRAM
BOOKLET#LANDECKERFELLOW
3 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLET
The Fellowship
In partnership with the Alfred Landecker Foundation, community building. We support them in their efforts to
Humanity in Action launched the Alfred Landecker bring about societal change. We task our Fellows with
Democracy Fellowship in June 2020. We are excited to planning, designing, and managing public spaces, both
collaborate with a plethora of trainers and speakers for on- and offline, through innovative civic engagement.
several of the training opportunities we offer as part of By fostering strong, multi-disciplinary partnerships that
this program. The Fellowship brings together 30 diverse strengthen liberal democracies’ commitment to diversity and
leaders from Europe and the United States of America human rights, our intention is for our Fellows to develop an
who spend one year implementing projects that reinvent impactful reach into society.
democratic spaces, strengthen social cohesion, and build
community against the backdrop of COVID-19’s impact on
democracy. With financial support, the inaugural cohort of
the Alfred Landecker Democracy Fellows work together FOCUS
from October 25, 2020 to October 24, 2021. They build a
unique community with strong ties to the Alfred Landecker
In 2020/2021, the Alfred Landecker Democracy Fellowship
Foundation and the Humanity in Action alumni network.
supports the actions of 30 carefully chosen Fellows whose
project proposals demonstrated the greatest potential of
finding innovative solutions to disruptions and challenges
to democracy and society. This year’s fellowship funds 30
OBJECTIVE
ideas ranging from closing the digital divide and diversifying
STEM to empowering migrant care workers and finding new
The Alfred Landecker Foundation-Humanity in Action ways for people to talk about politics and current affairs.
partnership enables rising leaders to strengthen their impact The projects, each unique and innovative in execution, aim
on political and societal discourses, policy making, and to improve social justice and create fairer societies, giving
social realities. As a community of changemakers, the Alfred individuals and communities an opportunity for a better
Landecker Democracy Fellows develop innovative projects quality of life through digital, physical, educational, and social
to address a broad range of democratic deficiencies and methods. In their own way, each contributes to reinventing
challenges in Europe and the United States of America. Our democratic spaces in times of COVID-19. Through realizing
goal for this Fellowship is to strengthen a new generation of their ideas, our Fellows embark on tackling some of the forces
leaders whose approaches to political and social challenges behind the structural inequities that COVID-19 amplifies and
can become catalysts for democratic placemaking and implementing grassroots initiatives to address these forces.
4 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETAMSTERDAM
ACTION ACADEMY
5 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETAgenda
WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2021 THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021
5:45 - 6:00 PM CEST Optional: Mingling 4:45 - 5:00 PM CEST Optional: Mingling 4:00 - 4:45 PM CEST Optional: Meditation with Yip
11:45 - 12:00 PM EDT Fellows, HIA Staff & ALF Staff 10:45 - 11:00 AM EDT Fellows, HIA Staff & ALF Staff 10:00 - 10:45 AM EDT Thy-Diep Ta, Meditation Teacher
Topia Topia and Leadership Coach
Zoom
6:00 - 6:15 PM CEST Welcome to Our Action Academy 5:00 - 5:15 PM CEST Music in the Air
12:00 - 12:15 PM EDT Laura Lasance, Fellowship Team 11:00 - 11:15 AM EDT Erica Dorn, Landecker Fellow 4:45 - 5:00 PM CEST Optional: Mingling
Lead Social Media Zoom 10:45 - 11:00 AM EDT Fellows, HIA Staff & ALF Staff
Zoom Topia
5:15 - 6:40 PM CEST Unconferencing: Project
6:15 - 6:30 PM CEST Video Screening: “I Prefer Amsterdam” 11:15 - 12:40 PM EDT Trouble Shooting 5:00 - 5:05 PM CEST Welcome to the Day
12:15 - 12:30 PM EDT Zoom Antje Scheidler, Fellowship Director 11:00 - 11:05 AM EDT Lisa Ama Schrade, Fellowship Project Mentor
Zoom Zoom
6:30 - 6:40 PM CEST Break
12:30 - 12:40 PM EDT 6:40 - 6:55 PM CEST Break 5:05 - 6:05 PM CEST White Supremacy – Its Structures
12:40 - 12:55 PM EDT 11:05 - 12:05 PM EDT and Impact
6:40 - 7:40 PM CEST Cooking Session: The Freedom Meal Shasti Conrad, Chair, King County
12:40 - 1:40 PM EDT Raissa Biekman, Fellowship Project Mentor 6:55 - 7:55 PM CEST Talking About Intersectionality Democrats & Humanity in Action
Zoom 12:55 - 1:55 PM EDT Nivedita Prasad, Professor at the Senior Fellow
Alice Salomon University of Applied Zoom
7:40-8:00 PM CEST Wrap-Up Sciences in Berlin
1:40 - 2:00 PM EDT Antje Scheidler, Fellowship Director Zoom 6:05 - 6:35 PM CEST Peer-to-Peer Exchange: Good
Zoom 12:05 - 12:35 PM EDT Practice Examples
7:55 - 8:00 PM CEST Wrap-Up Antje Scheidler, Fellowship Director
LIVECAST With Pakhuis De Zwijger 1:55 - 2:00 PM EDT Laura Lasance, Fellowship Team Zoom
Lead Social Media
Topia 6:35 - 6:50 PM CEST Break
8:30 - 9:30 PM CEST Reinventing Democratic
12:35 - 12:50 PM EDT
2:30 - 3:30 PM EDT Spaces and the Importance of Freedom
Optional: Fellows Hangout
Landecker Fellows Lievnath Faber
Topia 6:50 - 7:50 PM CEST Video Series on Landecker Fellows’ Projects
& Zawdie Sandvliet (in the studio),
12:50 - 1:50 PM EDT Team Members of Hammerfest & Hannah Joy
Asha Iman Veal & Tomasz Cebulski,
Sachs, Fellowship Communications Manager
Moderation: Mirthe Frese
Zoom
Pakhuis de Zwijger/Online Zoom
7:50 - 8:00 PM CEST Wrap-Up
Optional: Mingling
1:50 - 2:00 PM EDT Raissa Biekman, Fellowship Project Mentor
Topia
Zoom
6 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETSUNDAY, MAY 9, 2021
Agenda
2:45 - 3:00 PM CEST Optional: Mingling
8:45 - 9:00 AM EDT Fellows, HIA Staff & ALF Staff
Topia
3:00 - 3:05 PM CEST Welcome to the Day
9:00 - 9:05 AM EDT Laura Lasance, Fellowship Team
Lead Social Media
SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2021
Zoom
3:05 - 4:05 PM CEST Speed Dating
2:45 - 3:00 PM CEST Optional: Mingling 5:00 - 5:40 PM CEST Break / Filming with Hammerfest 9:05 - 10:05 AM EDT Raissa Biekman, Fellowship Project Mentor
8:45 - 9:00 AM EDT Fellows, HIA Staff & ALF Staff 11:00 - 11:40 AM EDT
Zoom
Topia
Speakers’ Corner: Sharing Pearls
PARALLEL SESSIONS 4:05 - 5:05 PM CEST Impact’s Secret is Outreach
3:00 - 3:05 PM CEST Welcome to the Day of Wisdom 10:05 - 11:05 AM EDT Monika Mazur-Rafał, Fellowship Team
9:00 - 9:05 AM EDT Laura Lasance, Fellowship Team Lead Admissions
Lead Social Media 5:40 - 6:40 PM CEST Dialectics in Action Zoom
Zoom 11:40 - 12:40 PM EDT Thomas Arnold, Landecker Fellow
Zoom 5:05 - 5:30 PM CEST Treasure Hunt: Bringing Projects Together
3:05 - 4:10 PM CEST Social Media Workshop 11:05 - 11:30 AM EDT Antje Scheidler, Fellowship Director
9:05 - 10:10 AM EDT Luiza Braga, Fellowship Social 5:40 - 6:40 PM CEST Statefree – Questioning the Meaning Zoom
Media Coordinator 11:40 - 12:40 PM EDT of National Identity
Zoom Christiana Bukalo, Landecker Fellow 5:30 - 6:00 PM CEST Break
Zoom 11:30 - 12:00 PM EDT
PARALLEL SESSIONS Workshops
5:40 - 6:40 PM CEST Expanding the Right to Housing as 6:00 - 7:00 PM CEST Social Media: Concerted Efforts
11:40 - 12:40 PM EDT a Way to Rejuvenate Shrinking Cities 12:00 - 1:00 PM EDT Nakeema Stefflbauer, Founder and CEO
4:10 - 5:00 PM CEST Mental Health & Healing
Nikolaos Vrantsis, Landecker Fellow at FrauenLoop
10:10 - 11:00 AM EDT Reshma Persaud, Landecker Fellow
Zoom Zoom
Zoom
6:40 - 6:45 PM CEST Wrap-Up 7:00 - 7:45 PM CEST Pub Quiz
4:10 - 5:00 PM CEST Project Troubleshooting Through
12:40 - 12:45 PM EDT Laura Lasance, Fellowship Team
10:10 - 11:00 AM EDT a Community Organizing Lens 1:00 - 1:45 PM EDT Raissa Biekman, Fellowship Project Mentor
Lead Social Media Zoom
Tara Dickman, Landecker Fellow
Zoom
Zoom
7:45 - 7:55 PM CEST Reflections on the Action Academy
6:45 PM CEST After Work Party 1:45 - 1:55 PM EDT Yael Herskovits, Fellowship Strategic Advisor
12:45 PM EDT Topia Zoom
7:55 - 8:00 PM CEST Closing of Our Action Academy
1:55 - 2:00 PM EDT Laura Lasance and Raissa Biekman,
Humanity in Action The Netherlands
Zoom
7 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETSpeakers
Thomas Arnold new technologies and digital entrepreneurship that Tomasz completed his doctorate at its Department
Dr. Thomas Arnold is an assistant Christiana developed during her master’s degree. of Political Studies, with a dissertation on “Political
professor at the philosophical seminary Having been an active member and volunteer of the and International Aspects of the Functioning of the
of the University of Heidelberg, Evangelical church community in Puchheim, Christiana Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in the years 1980-
where he researches metaphysics was appointed as a member of the board in 2019. She 2010.” In 2000, he founded a research and historical
and phenomenology, teaches formal is now responsible for the implementation of new interpretation center, POLIN TRAVEL, which can be
logic during the winter term, and where initiatives and structures in the church community. found on www.jewish-guide.pl. It provides private
he is responsible for the academic management of Christiana grew up stateless in Germany. She has guides and genealogy research services for holistic
Erasmus and similar programs. He has published one recently joined the European Network of Statelessness visitor experiences in Central Europe. Tomasz holds
monograph, several academic papers and reviews, and also works in close collaboration with the Institute multiple state guiding certificates from the Auschwitz-
and essays directed at a more general population. He of Statelessness and Inclusion to create awareness Birkenau State Museum, Kraków, and Galicia. He is an
has also presented lectures at various universities in about this global issue. Outside of her work, Christiana experienced genealogist and licensed tour leader in
places such as Oxford, Cambridge, Dublin, and Lisbon. dedicates her time to music. She was an active singer Poland and Central Europe.
Thomas studied philosophy and classics at Heidelberg and dance instructor in the past.
University, with his doctorate dissertation on Husserl and Shasti Conrad
Plato. His post-doctoral research was with the Center Tomasz Cebulski Shasti Conrad is the first woman of
for Subjectivity Research in Copenhagen. Since 2008, Tomasz Cebulski was born in Kraków, color chair for the Martin Luther King
Thomas has taught philosophy and the history of ideas Poland, but grew up in Oświęcim, County Democrats in Washington
to school children for the Humanismus heute foundation. Auschwitz. As a teenager, he was State, the 4th largest county party
Thomas is married and has a daughter who was born in involved with the local International organization in the country. In 2020,
2014. In his free time, he plays the violin in an orchestra Youth Meeting Center, where he Shasti founded two organizations—
and works toward obtaining his Taekwondo black belt. promoted intercultural dialogue. He Opportunity PAC and CTRL Z. Opportunity PAC aims
eventually became an educator for the same to support Black womxn running for public office
Christiana Bukalo institution and coordinated a Polish, German, and in Washington State. CTRL Z focuses on mobilizing
Christiana Bukalo is a Senior Program South African project on societies in transition and Generation Z voters, especially young progressives
and Business Development Manager at recuperation from historical trauma. In 2005, Tomasz of color. During the first term of the Obama
Global Digital Women. Her current role graduated with a master’s degree in International Administration, Shasti Conrad served as a senior staff
focuses on supporting the company Relations and European Studies from Jagiellonian assistant in the White House, and a briefings manager
in growing and driving their efforts University, Kraków. He obtained his second master’s on the 2012 campaign. She was also the Associate
around empowering women in technology. degree in 2007 from the Department of Middle and Director of Vice Presidential Planning for the 2013
This role fits perfectly with the strong interest for Far East Studies at the same university. In 2014, Inauguration. Shasti has served as a Senior Graduate
8 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETSpeakers
Fellow at the Malala Fund and US Campaign Manager degree in Comparative Politics and Minority Rights, and provide a safe and creative space for Jews and non-
for the 100 Million Campaign, launched by Nobel as the former director of Humanity in Action France, Jews to express, enjoy, celebrate, co-create, remember,
Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, to end child labor Tara has given lectures and delivered workshops and relate to cultural tradition and heritage. She
and trafficking. She served on the National Advance on diversity, inclusive leadership, and community believes this to be essential for honest, civic, creative,
team for Senator Bernie Sanders 2016; and political organizing for universities, think tanks, and non-profit and nurturing discourse as well as for the well-being of
director on Jim Barksdale’s US Senate campaign in organizations across Europe and the United States for the community and for actively fighting Antisemitism.
Georgia. For the 2020 election cycle, Shasti was the over a decade. In November 2018, Tara joined Article She strives to create a local space that is inclusive of all
National Director of Surrogates for the Bernie Sanders 1, France’s largest equal opportunity organization. who wish to engage with, learn about, and experience
campaign. Shasti is a graduate of Seattle University and There, she helps the youth-led group Different Leaders the rich and diverse global Jewish culture.
received her MPA from Princeton University. She is also to identify its core goals, to enable ethical, inclusive,
a Humanity in Action Senior Fellow, having participated and responsible forms of leadership, and to develop Mirthe Frese
in the 2006 New York City Fellowship Program. the ability to influence decision-makers toward making Mirthe Frese is a moderator, writer and
equitable and sustainable choices. cultural curator. At De Balie in Amsterdam,
Tara Dickman Frese made successful programme series
Tara Dickman is the co-founder of Le Lievnath Faber such as De Vrijheidslezing (The Freedom
Next Level, a non-profit organization Lievnath Faber is a Jewish scholar Lecture), Grote Denkers (Great Thinkers)
that supports civil rights, equal and programmer with a Frisian father and Generatie IK (Generation IK). In 2018, she
opportunity, and empowerment- and an Israeli mother of Tunisian wrote and performed her first solo performance, Retourtje
oriented projects through training, and Egyptian descent. She is also a Polen, for Theater Na de Dam. She is writing a historical
skill-building, and strategy consultancy. birth and death doula and advocates family novel about her Jewish-Moluccan roots (expected:
Born and raised in Paris, France, Tara was trained for bringing these lifecycle events back 2022 at Nijgh & Van Ditmar publishers). Whether she writes,
in community organizing in Chicago in 2010. Ever into communities. She holds a master’s degree in makes theatre, leads a debate or makes a programme,
since, she has worked on several minority-led local Film Studies from the University of Amsterdam and her starting point is always to bring together a diversity of
and national campaigns addressing basic human and is a facilitator for the Paradigm Project at the Paideia stories, histories and opinions.
civil rights. For five years, Tara was one of the leading European Institute for Jewish Studies in Stockholm.
community organizers on a nation-wide grassroots She works on the intersections of Jewish culture Hammerfest
initiative to hold police accountable and prevent racial and heritage, lifecycle and community, and cinema. Hammerfest is a social first creative
profiling. This initiative resulted in the first successful Currently, Lievnath works on co-creating a Jewish agency from Amsterdam that
class action lawsuit against the French state, and hub, Oy Vey, in the city center of Amsterdam, right in creates cultural relevant content
produced several bills in Parliament. With a bachelor’s the middle of the former Jewish quarter. This open, and campaigns for global brands.
degree in Information and Communications, a master’s inclusive, and unapologetically Jewish hub aims to Something to talk about and connect with.
9 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETSpeakers
They are experienced in helping purpose and value driven Nivedita Prasad research focused on transracial transnational adoptees’
companies share their story. Dr. Nivedita Prasad is a Professor identity formation. Hannah is an experiential educator
at the Alice Salomon University of who has led immersive sustainable travel programs
Reshma Persaud Applied Sciences in Berlin, where she for young adults throughout East Asia, Southeast
Reshma Persaud is a Manager of Principal focuses on advocacy-based practise Asia, and North America. Hannah is passionate about
Giving at the International Rescue in (social work) and Intersectionality. amplifying the voices of American Jews of Color as
Committee. She is responsible for the She is also the director of the (German) well as adoptees, and is part of several initiatives. She
portfolio management of multi-million MA Programme “Social Work as a human rights is also a horseback rider and involved in a therapeutic
dollar gifts within the United States and Profession”. Born in Madras, India, Nivedita Prasad horseback riding program for children, first responders,
oversees the implementation of funding studied Social Pedagogy at the Freie Universität in and veterans.
within programs focusing on safety, health, education, Berlin and received her PhD at the Carl von Ossietzky
economic well-being, and empowerment for refugee University in Oldenburg. In 2012, she was awarded the Zawdie Sandvliet
populations worldwide. Previously, Reshma held various first Anne Klein Women’s Award from the Heinrich Böll Zawdie Sandvliet is a Social Studies
positions within New York University (NYU), the CUE Foundation for her ongoing dedication to the human teacher and a professor of Afro-Dutch
Art Foundation, and the Association of Professional Art rights of migrant women. She has been teaching at Studies at the Amsterdam University
Advisors. Her 2020 master’s thesis at NYU Steinhardt various universities in Germany, the Netherlands and of Applied Sciences. In order to learn
focused on the rise of female artists within art history. Austria since 1993 and has led training programs for more about the history of the Dutch
She holds a master’s degree from NYU Steinhardt in Art police officers and judges, prosecutors and lawyers. involvement in the system and trade of
Administration, focusing on non-profit management and a Nivedita is also an Advisory Board Member for slavery, Zawdie studied African American Studies on
bachelor’s degree in Art History from NYU College of Arts Humanity in Action Germany. a Fulbright Scholarship at Boston University after
and Science. Reshma is an active volunteer with South receiving his bachelor’s degree in Sociology. After
Queens Women’s March. Inspired by global and national Hannah Joy Sachs his return to the Netherlands, he took the initiative to
women’s rights movements, the South Queens Women’s Hannah Joy Sachs is Communications start a course on Afro-Dutch studies at the University
March amplifies the voices of South Queens’ diverse and Community Manager at Humanity of Amsterdam, a decolonial interdisciplinary course
women. They are a multi-generational, intersectional in Action. Prior to this role, she was that focuses on the history and present-day realities
platform working to foster women’s empowerment Program Coordinator for the 2020 of Afro-Dutch people. Through his work as a Social
through dismantling norms, practices, and institutions that virtual Berlin Fellowship and is a 2018 Studies teacher and with his Afro-Dutch studies course,
support patriarchy and gender injustice. They aim to unify Berlin Senior Fellow herself. Hannah earned Zawdie tries to create educational equity across class,
women and gender non-conforming individuals in their a BA in Sociology from Davidson College and an MSc race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, and gender. In his free
community, connecting them to the tools and resources in Migration Studies from University of Oxford. Partially time, he likes to read, longboard, surf, exercise, and
necessary to empower their own lives and thrive. inspired by her own upbringing and experiences, her cook vegan meals.
10 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETSpeakers
Nakeema Stefflbauer meditation trainer (Zen Buddhist and Neurofeedback other places. Asha completed her bachelor’s degree at
Dr. Nakeema Stefflbauer is a trained as well as Search Inside Yourself certified), and the Gallatin School at New York University, a master’s
Brooklyn native and a long-term author of the book “Beautiful Brains change tomorrow... degree in Creative Writing at The New School, and a
Berlin resident with a background in today.” She is also a cofounder at Unit Ventures, master’s degree in Arts Administration and Policy at the
research, technology transformation building the stakeholder economy of the future built School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Asha grew up in
and social entrepreneurship. She on blockchain technology. At PEOPLE consulting, Northern California. She loves cooking delicious omelets
holds an Executive MBA from the she is responsible for SDG consulting, blockchain & and enjoys long walks in snowy parks.
disruptive Quantic School of Management, as well as stakeholder economy models, and mindfulness & well-
degrees from Brown University and Harvard University. being at the workplace. Nikolaos Vrantsis
As the founder and CEO of the German non-profit Nikos Vrantsis is currently an Assistant
organization, FrauenLoop, Nakeema leverages her Asha Iman Veal Researcher of Social Sustainability
decades of digitalization experience to address the Asha Iman Veal is the 2020/2022 of Alternative Housing Models at the
marginalization of immigrant, refugee, and working- Curatorial Fellow at the Museum of Institute of Urban Research in Uppsala.
parent women from the technology industry. She Contemporary Photography in Chicago. His research is focused on the urban
is passionate about the urgency of broadening In 2019, she was a curator for The Tokyo commons. Nikos has a background in
access to technology and her work has focused, in Show: Black & Brown Are Beautiful at Political Science and holds a master’s degree in Political
particular, on the impact of artificial intelligence the Hyde Park Art Center. She positioned Theory. His academic research revolves around two
adoption on marginalized communities. Most recently, artists of color at the center of global dialogues, interconnected themes: the geographies of survival of
Nakeema has spoken about automated decision- advocating solidarity across communities kept apart due the homeless against policies of exclusion and affordable
making software and discrimination at the European to geographic or political distance. She is an Adjunct housing schemes applicable in local contexts. Nikos has
Parliament, at Heinrich Böll Foundation (Germany) and Assistant Professor of Arts Administration & Policy at been working as a freelance journalist reporting on topics
at the 2019 Re:publica conference, among others. the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and leads related to land grabs, urban movements, and inadequate
the undergraduate courses “Being a Woman of Color housing for vulnerable individuals in European cities. He
Thy-Diep Ta in the Arts,” “Flexible Art Worlds,” and “Curating in has been an assistant researcher in projects concerning
Thy-Diep (Yip) Ta offers services the Expanded Field”; and the graduate course on arts affordable housing in Greek cities. Nikos has also been
to bring peace to the mind, to ecologies. Asha has juried for Arts + Public Life and involved in communications to improve the resilience of
organizations, to society and the the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture communities, building around shared goals such as the
world. She is a trained management at the University of Chicago. Her background includes design of urban spaces to soil stewardship in remote
consultant (ex McKinsey project lead), researching arts organization models and contemporary communities across Europe. He has been an active
MBA graduate (INSEAD business school), projects, touring arts ecologies, and working in Tokyo, volunteer in many migrant and refugee solidarity actions
executive coach (C-Suite leaders), mindfulness & Edinburgh, Havana, Vietnam, Juárez, New York, and and spaces in Athens and Thessaloniki.
11 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETWhere We’re At
Self-Organized Co-Learning
Session led by Landecker Fellows on
Berlin Action Academy
Decolonizing Social Good Methods: EIGHTH POD
3 - 7 March 2021
29 December 2020 MEETING
Self-Organized Training led
Virtual Training I on by Landecker Fellows on
Ecosystem Mapping: Community Organizing:
SECOND POD FOURTH POD SIXTH POD
8 November 2020 23 January 2021
MEETING MEETING MEETING
Recipe Swap SEVENTH POD June to October 2021:
Virtual Training & Live Cooking: MEETING Bi-weekly to monthly
II on Audience 10 January 2021 pod meetings
and Messaging THIRD POD
MEETING
Development:
4 December 2020
FIFTH POD
Virtual Training III on Virtual Training IV MEETING Amsterdam
Communications, Digital on Having Difficult Action Academy
FIRST POD
Campaigns & Strategy, and Conversations, Leading 5 - 9 May 2021
MEETING
Project Management: and Holding Space, and
15 January 2021 Spectrum of Allies:
7 February 2021
Debate on the Storming of Capitol
Hill of January 6, 2021
12 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLET1
EMPATHY
30JUSTICE
PROJECTS
23
SOLIDARITY
10 CITIES EQUALITY
5
COUNTRIES
INTEGRITY COMMUNITY
INTERDEPENDENCE
ACCOUNTABILITY
TRUST PODS
PATIENCE
CURIOSITY CREATIVE
ORGANIZATIONS
RESPECT FREEDOM
LEARNING COMMUNITY
13 HONESTY AUTHENTICITY
AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETTHE
FELLOWS
14 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETIASON APOSTOLOPOULOS
BIOGRAPHY
Iason Apostolopoulos is the field coordinator of the Italian humanitarian organization
Mediterranea Saving Humans, where he leads the Search and Rescue operations in
the central Mediterranean Sea onboard the Mare Jonio rescue vessel. He has in-depth
knowledge and understanding of migration in Europe and its socio-political context.
Iason has been involved in humanitarian and solidarity projects since 2015, most
of which were responses to the ongoing refugee reception crises at the borders of
he/him
Europe, particularly in Italy and Greece. He also spent a year working in South Sudan
Home Base
Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece with Médicins Sans Frontières. His formal education includes a Master of Science
Profession
degree in Environmental Engineering and a Master of Engineering degree in Civil
Rescue NGO Coordinator
Engineering from the Technical University of Athens. In addition to his work onboard
the Mare Jonio rescue vessel, Iason is a volunteer who actively organizes political and
cultural events with Mediterranea Saving Humans. These events include grassroots
EVERY HUMAN LIFE HAS
actions for defending public spaces and oppressed minorities. He is often invited to
EQUAL VALUE. NOBODY
SHOULD BE LEFT TO DIE public events, radio as well as television programs, and universities to speak about
HELPLESS IN THE SEAS
the refugee reception crises in addition to other social issues. He also contributes to
OF EUROPE BECAUSE OF
THEIR RACE, ETHNICITY, Greek news organizations such as TVXS and The Press Project.
OR LEGAL STATUS. SEA
RESCUE IS NOT A CRIME.
IT IS AN OBLIGATION
UNDER INTERNATIONAL
LAW AND A UNIVERSAL
HUMAN RIGHT.
15 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETTHOMAS ARNOLD
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Thomas Arnold is an assistant professor at the philosophical seminary of the
University of Heidelberg, where he researches metaphysics and phenomenology,
teaches formal logic during the winter term, and where he is responsible for the
academic management of Erasmus and similar programs. He has published one
monograph, several academic papers and reviews, and essays directed at a more
general population. He has also presented lectures at various universities in places
he/him
such as Oxford, Cambridge, Dublin, and Lisbon. Thomas studied philosophy and
Home Base
Heidelberg, Germany classics at Heidelberg University, with his doctorate dissertation on Husserl and
Profession
Plato. His post-doctoral research was with the Center for Subjectivity Research in
Assistant Professor
Copenhagen. Since 2008, Thomas has taught philosophy and the history of ideas to
school children for the Humanismus heute foundation. Thomas is married and has a
daughter who was born in 2014. In his free time, he plays the violin in an orchestra and
REASON IS A
works toward obtaining his Taekwondo black belt.
MATTER OF HABIT.
WE ALL HAVE THE
OPPORTUNITY TO
DEVELOP IT.
16 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETLENA BIELSKA
BIOGRAPHY
Lena Bielska is a certified WenDo trainer who works as a human rights educator
with a focus on consent, anti-discrimination, and empowerment. As the founder and
president of the HerStory foundation, she cooperates with the Women’s Rights Center
in Wroclaw, where she conducts individual support processes for women who have
faced violence and discrimination. For nearly ten years, she has actively worked in
human rights activism, particularly in the field of women’s and LGBTQ+ rights. She
she/her
gave up her academic career to dedicate herself to grassroots work in the fields
Home Base
Wroclaw, Poland of (anti-violence) education, empowerment, and therapeutic work. Lena currently
Profession
works as a coach and provides therapeutic support for people who have experienced
Empowerment Educator
trauma, whether it be in the form of violence, minority stress, discrimination, and/
or exclusion. As a DO School Berlin scholarship holder in 2017 and the originator,
producer, and host of Dirty Talks Night, Lena has run events that strengthen the
MY WORK MEANS GIVING
voices and media visibility of women and others who are at risk of discrimination.
A VOICE TO THOSE
WHO ARE SILENCED. IT In her work, she develops methods to work with people from post-traumatic stress
MEANS SHARING ENERGY
communities and to support people in activism. She works with public institutions and
WITH THOSE WHO ARE
OPPRESSED. IT MEANS non-governmental organizations in Poland and abroad. Currently, Lena is based in
SUPPORTING YOUNG
Wroclaw, Poland, and is studying psychotherapy and Gestalt training. In her free time,
ACTIVISTS AND THOSE
LACKING IN STRENGTH. she trains in martial arts and plays musical instruments. Lena is a football enthusiast, a
vegetarian, and a friend of animals.
17 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETNOUFEL BOUZEBOUDJA
BIOGRAPHY
Noufel Bouzenboudja is a writer and artist from North Africa who mixes art with
active citizenship projects. He was born in Kabylie, Algeria, where he became a
teacher of English and Theater Techniques for several years. In 2009, he fled to Spain
before migrating to Denmark as a writer in residence with the International Cities of
Refuge Network. During his residency, he took part in a wide range of workshops and
international meetings concerning human rights, freedom of thought, and freedom
he/him
of expression. He studied journalism techniques with the International Media Support
Home Base
Paris, France (IMS) in Denmark, Norway, and Finland. Noufel currently lives in France, where he
Profession
works with grassroots organizations in the socially marginalized banlieues of Paris,
Writer
mainly supporting youth with migrant backgrounds. He uses his skills as a trainer
and writer to help them develop empowerment toolkits with the aim of making them
vocal and active citizens and leaders who own their identity and space. Noufel writes
I WILL CONTRIBUTE TO
and translates in Kabyle, French, and English. His latest publications include a novel
CREATING A POSITIVE
IMAGE OF THE BANLIEUES in English titled A Pebble in the River, and a collection of short stories in his native
AS SPACES OF ACTIVE
language Kabyle, D Tayri Kan! (It’s just love!). His cinematic poem, ALLEGORIA, has
CITIZENSHIP AND
SOLIDARITY. I WILL TAKE A received awards from several international festivals.
STANCE. I WILL SHARE MY
SKILLS SO THAT OTHERS
CAN BENEFIT FROM WHAT I
HAVE LEARNED.
18 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETCHRISTIANA BUKALO
BIOGRAPHY
Christiana Bukalo is a Senior Program and Business Development Manager at Global
Digital Women. Her current role focuses on supporting the company in growing and
driving their efforts around empowering women in technology. This role fits perfectly
with the strong interest for new technologies and digital entrepreneurship that
Christiana developed during her master’s degree. Having been an active member and
volunteer of the Evangelical church community in Puchheim, Christiana was appointed
she/her
as a member of the board in 2019. She is now responsible for the implementation of
Home Base
Munich, Germany new initiatives and structures in the church community. Christiana grew up stateless
Profession
in Germany. She has recently joined the European Network of Statelessness and also
Senior Diversity, Sustainability,
and Culture Manager works in close collaboration with the Institute of Statelessness and Inclusion to create
awareness about this global issue. Outside of her work, Christiana dedicates her time
to music. She was an active singer and dance instructor in the past.
BEING WITHOUT
NATIONALITY SHOULDN’T
MEAN THAT YOU DON’T
BELONG. STATELESSNESS
CAUSES EXCLUSION
AND IS AFFECTING
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.
WITH STATEFREE.WORLD
I’M INVITING STATELESS
PEOPLE, LIKE ME, TO
SPEAK UP AND CREATE
COMMUNITY DESPITE
THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES.
19 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETTOMASZ CEBULSKI
BIOGRAPHY
Tomasz Cebulski was born in Kraków, Poland, but grew up in Oświęcim, Auschwitz. As
a teenager, he was involved with the local International Youth Meeting Center, where
he promoted intercultural dialogue. He eventually became an educator for the same
institution and coordinated a Polish, German, and South African project on societies
in transition and recuperation from historical trauma. In 2005, Tomasz graduated with
a master’s degree in International Relations and European Studies from Jagiellonian
he/him
University, Kraków. He obtained his second master’s degree in 2007 from the
Home Base
Kraków, Poland Department of Middle and Far East Studies at the same university. In 2014, Tomasz
Profession
completed his doctorate at its Department of Political Studies, with a dissertation
Researcher
on “Political and International Aspects of the Functioning of the Auschwitz-Birkenau
State Museum in the years 1980-2010.” In 2000, he founded a research and historical
interpretation center, POLIN TRAVEL, which can be found on www.jewish-guide.
LEARNING FROM THE LOCAL
pl. It provides private guides and genealogy research services for holistic visitor
HISTORY, TEACHING FOR
THE GLOBAL FUTURE-- experiences in Central Europe. Tomasz holds multiple state guiding certificates from
LOCAL HISTORY AND
the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Kraków, and Galicia. He is an experienced
HERITAGE SITES CAN BE
USED FOR TEACHING AND genealogist and licensed tour leader in Poland and Central Europe.
DEVELOPING PASSION
FOR HISTORY. THIS CAN
PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK
FOR PROMOTING VALUES OF
DIALOGUE, TOLERANCE AND
DIVERSITY, THUS HELPING TO
BUILD A GLOBAL FUTURE.
20 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETSHARON CHIN
BIOGRAPHY
Sharon M. Chin is the Executive Director and Founder of Creative Sanctum (www.
thecreativesanctum.com). A digital magazine focused on amplifying the behind-
the-scenes creative processes of artists, Creative Sanctum also empowers artists as
activists. In 2020, Sharon launched The Fierce Urgency of Now Microgrant initiative
to support artists working against systemic racism. In addition to Creative Sanctum,
Sharon served as an Arts Commissioner with the Queens Council of the Arts. She
she/her
enabled the telling of untold stories centered on Flushing and Jamaica, Queens,
Home Base
New York, NY, USA while also democratizing the traditional arts commissioning process. In addition to
Profession
creative work, Sharon has a decade of management consulting experience. Via PwC,
Arts Advocate and Publisher
or PricewaterhouseCoopers, IMS Health, and independent consulting, Sharon provides
strategic insights and transformation to leading healthcare and non-profit institutions
globally. Sharon is a product of New York City, specifically Queens, and serves as
ART CAN PLAY A UNIQUE
a Queens District 11 Community Board member. She is a graduate of Columbia
ROLE IN SAFEGUARDING
DEMOCRACY. BECAUSE University, a Humanity in Action Senior Fellow, and a former Global Language Project
INSIDE EACH OF US IS A
board member. Sharon, to her surprise, also completed the 2016 NYC Marathon
CREATIVE CITIZEN.
and 2018 NYC Triathlon. As an arts practitioner, Sharon is also a poet, most recently
featured in Newtown Literary, and an avid swing and tango dancer.
21 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETTA R A D I C K M A N
BIOGRAPHY
Tara Dickman is the co-founder of Le Next Level, a non-profit organization that
supports civil rights, equal opportunity, and empowerment-oriented projects through
training, skill-building, and strategy consultancy. Born and raised in Paris, France, Tara
was trained in community organizing in Chicago in 2010. Ever since, she has worked
on several minority-led local and national campaigns addressing basic human and civil
rights. For five years, Tara was one of the leading community organizers on a nation-
she/her
wide grassroots initiative to hold police accountable and prevent racial profiling. This
Home Base
Paris, France initiative resulted in the first successful class action lawsuit against the French state,
Profession
and produced several bills in Parliament. With a bachelor’s degree in Information
Community Organizer
and Communications, a master’s degree in Comparative Politics and Minority Rights,
and as the former director of Humanity in Action France, Tara has given lectures and
delivered workshops on diversity, inclusive leadership, and community organizing for
I’M EXCITED TO SEE THE
universities, think tanks, and non-profit organizations across Europe and the United
NEW GENERATION IS
UNAFRAID TO SPEAK States for over a decade. In November 2018, Tara joined Article 1, France’s largest
OUT AGAINST INJUSTICE.
equal opportunity organization. There, she helps the youth-led group Different
WHAT I WANT TO SHARE
WITH THEM IS WHAT WAS Leaders to identify its core goals, to enable ethical, inclusive, and responsible forms
SHARED WITH ME, THAT
of leadership, and to develop the ability to influence decision-makers toward making
IS, WHAT IS UNDER THE
TIP OF THE ICEBERG OF equitable and sustainable choices.
A MOVEMENT. WHAT IT
TAKES TO WIN.
22 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETERICA DORN
BIOGRAPHY
Erica Dorn is a social systems choreographer. She educates and facilitates
organizations, movements, and communities in long-vision systems transitions. She
has led an extensive career in local economic development, social impact investing,
business and leadership education, and experience design. In 2015, she co-founded
and served as the Managing Director of the Good Work Institute, formerly known as
etsy.org. She built the organization from its roots, with a focus on the design and the
she/her
delivery of a first-of-its-kind bioregional fellowship program in New York’s Hudson
Home Base
Portland, OR, USA Valley. She has worked in US Microfinance for Kiva and Accion, entrepreneurial
Profession
and design education at City University of New York and School of Visual Arts,
Social Systems Choreographer
and community and leadership development in Latin America. Erica is a doctoral
researcher in Transition Design at Carnegie Mellon University, researching and
developing theory in Place Relationality. She is on the Board of Directors for Third
MY MISSION IS TO
Millennium Alliance, a rainforest conservation organization working to restore the last
DEVELOP A PLACE
NETWORK MADE UP remnants of coastal Ecuadorian rainforests. Erica is a life-long dancer and recently
OF RESIDENTS FROM
completed a 4,400-mile bicycle trip across the US. Originally from Colorado, she
DIVERSE PLACES ACROSS
THE UNITED STATES WHO currently resides in Portland, OR, and calls New York home.
WILL LEARN TOGETHER
TO RESTORE AND BUILD
WELCOMING DEMOCRATIC
COMMUNITIES.
23 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETVLAD DUMITRESCU
BIOGRAPHY
Vlad Dumitrescu has a lot of love and interest for the non-governmental sector.
Their journey started 20 years ago with the UNESCO youth club ecosystem, later
engaging with more than 10,000 organizations in Romania and Europe. Their projects
tackled a range of issues, including nonformal education, culture, participation,
environment, and human rights for all, especially through gender and queer
perspectives. Vlad is currently working for the Civil Society Development Foundation
they/them
in Bucharest, Romania. As the Program Visionaire, they develop unique capacity
Home Base
Bucharest, Romania building programs for nonprofits. Their main attention nowadays is coordinating the
Profession
first long-term Romanian learning program for young people involved in the non-
Non-Profit Educator
governmental sector. Even though they hold two bachelor’s degrees in Journalism
and Environmental Sciences and a master’s degree in Regional Development
and Environmental Changes, Vlad feels that their work experience over the years
MY INTENTION IS TO
has been more valuable for their development because action drives them more
CREATE AND MAINTAIN
CONNECTIONS BETWEEN than theories. In their free time, Vlad especially enjoys dancing. They have been
PEOPLE AND HELP
involved in contemporary dance for the past ten years, using dance and movement
FACILITATE THE CONTEXT
IN WHICH WE CAN ALL methodologies in their work and in their life.
WORK TOGETHER FOR
BETTER, MORE EQUAL,
AND DEMOCRATIC
SOCIETIES.
24 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETA DA M E C H E L M A N
BIOGRAPHY
Adam Echelman is the Executive Director of Libraries Without Borders USA, where
he advocates for dynamic programs that increase access to information by meeting
people where they are—whether through digital literacy classes in Laundromats
or health workshops in churches. In 2017, he launched the Legal Literacy Initiative
at Libraries Without Borders to help public libraries deliver legal information to
underserved communities across the United States. He has served as a Visiting
he/him
Professor of Practice at John Jay College, where he co-taught a program on access
Home Base
Washington, DC, USA to justice and legal information. Prior to Libraries Without Borders, Adam worked
Profession
with asylum seekers and refugees at the Karnes Detention Center in Texas and in New
Non-Profit Educator
Haven, Connecticut. He is a graduate of Yale University and a recipient of the Gordon
Grand Fellowship. He loves studying languages, is fluent in French and Spanish, and
speaks (rusty) Chinese. Adam is an avid hiker, an amateur but determined artist, and a
THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
lover of Hearts, Spades, and Euchre.
FALLS ALONG THE SAME
ECONOMIC AND RACIAL
LINES THAT HAVE LONG
DIVIDED THE UNITED
STATES. COVID-19 HAS
BROUGHT THIS ISSUE
TO THE FOREGROUND.
WE CAN SOLVE IT — BUT
ONLY BY STARTING FIRST
WITH THE VOICES OF
THOSE MOST AFFECTED.
25 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETL I E V N AT H FA B E R
BIOGRAPHY
Lievnath Faber is a Jewish scholar and programmer with a Frisian father and an
Israeli mother of Tunisian and Egyptian descent. She is also a birth and death doula
and advocates for bringing these lifecycle events back into communities. She holds a
master’s degree in Film Studies from the University of Amsterdam and is a facilitator
for the Paradigm Project at the Paideia European Institute for Jewish Studies in
Stockholm. She works on the intersections of Jewish culture and heritage, lifecycle
she/her
and community, and cinema. Currently, Lievnath works on co-creating a Jewish hub,
Home Base
Amsterdam, The Netherlands Oy Vey, in the city center of Amsterdam, right in the middle of the former Jewish
Profession
quarter. This open, inclusive, and unapologetically Jewish hub aims to provide a
Cultural Programmer
safe and creative space for Jews and non-Jews to express, enjoy, celebrate, co-
create, remember, and relate to cultural tradition and heritage. She believes this to
be essential for honest, civic, creative, and nurturing discourse as well as for the
IN LISTENING CAREFULLY
well-being of the community and for actively fighting Antisemitism. She strives to
TO MY FELLOW FELLOWS
AND LEARNING TO SEE create a local space that is inclusive of all who wish to engage with, learn about, and
THE WORLD THROUGH
experience the rich and diverse global Jewish culture.
THEIR EYES, I HOPE
TO GROW BOTH AS A
HUMAN BEING AS WELL
AS PROFESSIONALLY.
THROUGH THIS, I WANT
US TO WEAVE THE FABRIC
OF A COLLABORATIVE
COMMUNITY.
26 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETB O G L A R KA F E D O R KO
BIOGRAPHY
Boglarka Fedorko is an activist, campaigner and facilitator currently based
in Budapest, Hungary. She works as the Public Relations Manager of Romani
Design, the world’s first Roma-owned fashion label as well as a consultant for
international feminist, Romani and LGBTQ+ networks. Previously, Boglarka held
various coordinator and management positions at international human rights and
donor organizations in Germany and Hungary. She earned her master’s degree
she/her
in Economics, with a specialization in non-profit management from Corvinus
Home Base
Budapest, Hungary University Budapest. Seeing that in the wake of George Floyd’s murder Hungarian
Profession
public discourse both misinterprets the demands of Black Lives Matter and fails
Community Organizer
to adequately address racism in Hungary, she contributed to the set up of an all-
Roma informal group and its online talk show series. Boglarka is passionate about
mobilizing across movements and geographies and has a serious weakness for
I WANT TO INITIATE
chocolate and online make-up tutorials.
CONVERSATIONS ON
WOMEN’S AND MINORITIES’
RIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES.
MY AIM IS TO SPARK
SOLIDARITY WITH THOSE
WHO HAVE POWER OVER
THESE NARRATIVES AND
TO NUANCE DISCOURSE
SURROUNDING EXCLUDED
COMMUNITIES.
27 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETD E L E S S L I N G E O R G E - WA R R E N
BIOGRAPHY
DeLesslin George-Warren is a queer artist, researcher, and organizer from Catawba
Indian Nation. His wide-ranging work encompasses performance art, installation
art, community education as well as food sovereignty and language revitalization.
From 2017 to 2019, he was the Special Projects Coordinator for the Catawba Cultural
Preservation Project where he facilitated the Catawba Language Project, which
involved developing and programming online digital assets such as the Catawba
he/him
Language App; several food sovereignty initiatives; and other community education
Home Base
Catawba Nation, SC, USA projects. Since 2019, DeLesslin has continued to work for his tribe as a consultant
Profession
on many projects. He has performed, lectured, and exhibited throughout the
Artist and Researcher
United States including at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the College of Charleston,
Vanderbilt University, Ithaca College. In 2018, DeLesslin was recognized as a “40
Under 40” by the National Council on American Indian Enterprise Development. In
I WANT TO SUPPORT THE
2017, he was selected as a Dreamstarter by Running Strong for American Indian Youth
VISIONARY BRILLIANCE OF
INDIGENOUS DESIGNERS, and in 2016 he was recognized as a “25 Under 25” by United National Inter Tribal
DEVELOPERS, ARTISTS,
Youth Inc. He is an alumnus of Vanderbilt University, graduating with a bachelor’s
AND TECHNOLOGISTS IN
CREATING OPEN SOURCE degree in Music, a Humanity in Action Senior Fellow as a 2014 Copenhagen Fellow,
SOLUTIONS TO THE NEEDS
and a participant in Columbia University’s Indigenous Studies Summer Program. Some
OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
of his work can be seen at delesslin.com.
28 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETJ E A N N E T T E G U S KO
BIOGRAPHY
Jeannette Gusko is a system change leader, a social justice and gender equality
advocate and a civil society champion. She is currently tackling social inequality
and democracy fatigue by building inclusive empowerment environments,
providing financial services for marginalized groups and feminist interests, and
developing advocacy, campaigning, and communication strategies. In the past,
she acted as GoFundMe’s Austria, Germany and Switzerland Founding Head. She
she/her
was also the Engagement and Brand Lead at Change.org and a Co-founder of
Home Base
Berlin, Germany Campaign Bootcamp Germany. Since 2019, Jeannette has been advancing political
Profession
representation and the interests of young East Germans as the speaker of Netzwerk
System Change Leader
3te Generation Ostdeutschland. She is deeply concerned about authoritarian attitudes
that are on the rise in Germany, Europe and the United States and is committed
to spending her lifetime working on policies, research, and in activism to bring
I WORK TOWARD A JUST
about a more just and inclusive future for all. Jeannette earned a master’s degree in
AND INCLUSIVE FUTURE
FOR ALL. LOOKING Communications Management in Politics and Business from the University of Leipzig
AHEAD TO THE 2021
and a bachelor’s degree in Communications from HTW Berlin, Berlin’s University of
GERMAN FEDERAL
ELECTIONS, I WORK TO the Arts, and Freie Universität Berlin. She also studied International Relations and
EMPOWER YOUNG EAST
Business at the École de Commerce Chambéry, France. In 2020, she successfully
GERMANS, PEOPLE OF
COLOR, AND WORKING completed an executive education program in Public Policy Analysis at the London
CLASS YOUTH TO
School of Economics and Political Science with honors.
ADVANCE AND LOBBY
THEIR INTERESTS WITH
POLITICAL CANDIDATES.
29 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETVINCENT KADIRI
BIOGRAPHY
Vincent Kadiri is a Nigerian German scientist currently pursuing his doctorate
degree at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart, Germany.
His work there focuses on biomedical applications of nanotechnology. Beyond that,
communicating his findings is an issue close to his heart, which is why he regularly
participates in science slams and other events around science communication.
Since 2018, he has hosted and edited the “Two Blacks and a Jew” podcast which
he/him
highlights BPoC experiences in Germany. He played an active role in reinvigorating the
Home Base
Stuttgart, Germany movement for racial equality in the Stuttgart area by supporting events such as the
Profession
African Open Mic Night Stuttgart as well as co-initiating the reboot of a local Black
Biomedical Researcher
organization, ISD Stuttgart. He grew up in Berlin and, after a brief stint in London,
pursued a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry, followed by a master’s
degree in Chemistry at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. He seeks a career
SCIENCE NEEDS
that will allow him to reconcile the conflict between working full-time in academia
TO BECOME MORE
DEMOCRATIC AND LESS and staying heavily involved in activism. In the little spare time he has, Vincent enjoys
BIASED. TO THAT END,
reading, bouldering, and making 3D renders and animations using Blender.
I WANT TO CONNECT
SCIENTISTS OF COLOR
AROUND THE WORLD AND
ENCOURAGE THEM TO
BECOME BETTER SCIENCE
COMMUNICATORS AND
ROLE MODELS TO INSPIRE
YOUTH OF COLOR!
30 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETIREEN KARS
BIOGRAPHY
Ireen Kars is a consultant at Russell Reynolds Associates, which helps companies
identify, select, and grow sustainable leaders who will thrive and succeed over the
long term. Based on her experience and personal interests, she focuses on sustainable
leadership, digital transformation and technology. Prior to joining Russell Reynolds
Associates, she worked at Microsoft, where she was most recently a Solution Advisor
for the Modern Workplace and Data Protection. In this role, she worked closely with
she/her
public sector clients to optimize their daily work and security systems. Previously,
Home Base
The Hague, The Netherlands she worked on peacebuilding and peacekeeping topics and with the UNHCR as a
Profession
representative for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands in The Hague and
Sustainable Business Consultant
Geneva, Switzerland. She obtained master’s degrees in International Relations from
the University of Amsterdam and in Strategic Human Resource Management from
Utrecht University. She was born and raised in the South of Holland, has traveled and
MY MISSION IS TO
worked around the world, and just moved to The Hague.
STIMULATE AND ACTIVATE
BUSINESS LEADERS IN
THEIR SUSTAINABILITY
JOURNEY AND TO LEAD
BY EXAMPLE, FOCUSING
ON IMPROVING HUMAN
RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
AROUND THE WORLD.
31 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETF L AV I A I U L I A M AT E I
BIOGRAPHY
Flavia Matei is an architect working at the University of Art and Design in Linz, Austria.
She supervises the design studio within the BASEhabitat master’s program, which
focuses on environmentally and socially responsible architecture and city planning.
Flavia earned her master’s degree in Architecture at the Technical University of
Vienna, where she developed affordable housing models for informal communities in
Romania. In her free time, Flavia is a committed activist for migrant workers’ rights.
she/her
She is fighting alongside Romanian live-in caregivers in Austria for better labor rights
Home Base
Vienna, Austria and higher wages. She works side by side with the community in building up a strong
Profession
movement in the Austrian live-in care sector. As a result of this mass mobilization,
Architect
Flavia and other active members within the care community founded the nonprofit
organization DREPT, which does political lobbying, media work, and fundraising.
Flavia grew up in Romania, but has been living in Vienna for the last eleven years. She
CARE WORK IS THE
was previously involved in other grassroots movements connected to the Romanian
FRONTLINE OF THE
FEMINIST, ANTI-RACIST socio-political landscape, such as the environmental Save Rosia Montana campaign,
AND LABOR RIGHTS
anti-fracking protests, and feminist demonstrations. She enjoys hiking in the Austrian
STRUGGLES OF OUR
TIMES. LET’S RAISE OUR Alps together with her partner and their dog, Patu.
VOICES IN SOLIDARITY
AND SUPPORT: CARE
WORK IS WORK AND IT
DESERVES RESPECT!
32 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETC AT H E R I N E N E I L A N
BIOGRAPHY
Catherine Neilan is a Politics Live Editor at the Telegraph, where she is responsible
for covering breaking news and finding exclusives from Westminster and beyond.
She has nearly 15 years of journalism experience, covering a range of issues and
sectors including social affairs, retail, and the media. She earned her master’s degree
in International Journalism from City University, and a bachelor’s degree in Theology
from Bristol University. She is married and has two young children, which means she
she/her
can’t indulge in long-distance running as much as she used to, but makes do with
Home Base
London, United Kingdom chasing the boys around London’s museums instead. Catherine lived and worked in
Profession
China for two years, and still misses the shui jaio, but not the smog.
Journalist
THIS PANDEMIC HAS
AMPLIFIED OUR TOXIC
CULTURE WARS,
AND MONOLOGUES
MASQUERADING AS
DEBATE. IF WE DON’T
START LISTENING TO EACH
OTHER SOON, I WORRY OUR
DEMOCRACY WILL FAIL.
33 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETI G N AC Y N I E M C Z YC K I
BIOGRAPHY
Ignacy Niemczycki is an expert in communication and European affairs. He is a former
civil servant who worked on the European Union budget and is a journalist dealing
with European Union affairs. He is also the Chairman of the Bronislaw Geremek
Foundation and a member of the board of the Akcja Demokracja Foundation.
Additionally, he is the former acting Director of Corporate Communications at
IKEA Retail in Poland. Ignacy graduated from Bocconi University with a degree in
he/him
Management and from the University of Lancaster with a degree in Sociology. He
Home Base
Warsaw, Poland has been a vegetarian for many years, loves animals, enjoys ski-touring, and recently
Profession
became a farmer in Masuria. He lives in Poland where he commutes between Warsaw
Journalist
and Masuria. Ignacy believes that progressive change is possible, but it requires
giving up the status quo and building on the values that were at the center of liberal
democracy. He is looking for ways to mobilize and amplify voices of individuals from
PROGRESSIVE CHANGE
underrepresented communities.
IS POSSIBLE, BUT
REQUIRES GIVING UP
THE STATUS QUO AND
BUILDING ON THE
VALUES THAT USED
TO BE AT THE VERY
CENTER OF LIBERAL
DEMOCRACY.
34 AMSTERDAM ACTION ACADEMY PROGRAM BOOKLETYou can also read
