Speakers

Faouzi Achbar is a Rotterdam Vice Mayor on behalf of the centre-left political party THINK (in Dutch: DENK). He is responsible for Social & Digital Inclusion and Sports.

Achbar grew up in Rotterdam. He held various different positions in education. After completing his teacher training he obtained a master's degree in sociology and an MBA for education managers. He worked as a Havo (Higher General Secondary Education) Team Leader for VAVO Rijnmond College in recent years. He started his political career as a district councillor in Feijenoord in 2006. Achbar became a Member of the Municipal Council in 2018, as well as leading candidate and Party Leader for DENK in 2021

Dr Guido Acquaviva works as a director dealing with international strategies for the Welfare and Health Department of the City of Milan and focusing in particular on migration, homelessness, and the interactions between the climate crisis and vulnerable people. Before joining the City of Milan, Guido worked for several years in the UN system and the EU EEAS, dealing inter alia with issues of accountability for human rights violations, including forcible transfer and deportation, and international organizations. He holds a PhD in international relations and an LLM in international and comparative law.

Ibtisam Adem is a Labour Councillor in the London Borough of Lambeth, elected in May 2022. She is the Policy Lead for Sanctuary Seekers and Migrants.

Ibtisam is a member of the Migrant Champions Network, a network of local councillors from across the UK - and across different political parties - working together to fight for the rights of all migrants.

Ibtisam came to the UK as a refugee from Eritrea. As someone with lived experience of being a refugee, she was motivated to become a Migrant Champion to raise the issues asylum seekers, refugees and migrants living in Lambeth face as a result of the hostile environment, and to support the work of Lambeth Council's Sanctuary Services.

She is proud that Lambeth was the second local authority in London to become a Borough of Sanctuary.

Ibtisam has worked in Youth and Community, and advocacy work for 18 years.

Mr. Ari Alatossava is the Mayor of Oulu City, having transitioned from his role as Director of Finance, Strategy, and Corporate Governance in February 2022. With over 20 years of leadership experience, he previously served as Mayor of Ii and held CEO positions in business development and regional development. He holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Oulu.

Kirstie Vivian Angstmann is an Elected Member of the Migrants Council and the Women's Commission of the Municipality of Freiburg. She is also an active advocate for migrant voting rights through Wahlkreis 100% and is the Initiator of the Migrant Women in Focus initiative.

Javier Ayala was born in 1972 in Córdoba. He is married and has a son. Since 2018 he has been mayor of Fuenlabrada, a city where he has lived for 46 years. He is also spokesperson for the Socialist Group in the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. Before becoming mayor he held different council positions in the Fuenlabrada City Council such as Citizen Participation, Urban Planning or Infrastructure. He won the 2019 and 2023 elections in Fuenlabrada with absolute majorities thanks to obtaining around 54% of the votes.

Simona Bieliūnė, a Doctor of Educational Sciences with more than 15 years of expertise in violence, bullying, substance abuse, suicide prevention, mental health literacy and other related fields. Simona has been engaged in education, social and health sectors at the state, municipal and international levels. Since 2023 she has undertaken the role as the vice mayor of the Vilnius city municipality. 

Currently, she is responsible for issues of social welfare, including the provision of social services to all population groups, integration processes of migrants, national minorities, development and allocation of social housing, issues of inclusion of people with disabilities. She also takes care of the provision of health care services to residents, coordination of cultural institutions and activities, promotion of the night economy in Vilnius. On behalf of her city & Eurocities, she is currently taking the role as a Shadow Commissioner, ensuring that the needs of the European cities in the migration and integration processes would be heard by EU institutions and their representatives.

Simona is interested in implementing innovative services and programs for residents of different ages, planning, and implementing changes in the areas of public management and leadership. Has accumulated many years of training and consulting experience in the field of child welfare and human rights assurance. Consistently participates in various types of activities in solving the issues of education and improvement of social-emotional competences of different professions and social groups.

Aurélie has been working at the European Commission for almost 16 years. Before that she started her career in the French administration where she was enforcing competition law. Since 2008, she has worked in very varied field ranging from fight against fraud to space policy. She joined DG HOME in 2021 and led the team in charge of the negotiations of the Screening Regulation. In March 2024, she was appointed head of the sector in charge of integration and resettlement within the unit dealing with legal pathways and integration. Aurélie studied law in France and Spain and specialised in Middle Age law.

Jan Braat Jan Braat is a social scientist and a senior policy-advisor migration and inclusion in the city of Utrecht, one of the four major cities in the Netherlands.  His subjects, within the department of Social Welfare, are matters of homelessness and for the last 20 years, inclusion, undocumented migrants and asylum policies. At the national level, Jan Braat is well known as an expert on dealing with migration problems. He initiated shelter modalities for undocumented migrants and several projects of voluntary return, the regularization program in 2009 and successfully made it happen that since beginning of 2022 the organization of language lessons became competency of the municipalities again. In 2016, he co-founded with Mrs Niene Oepkes the successful Plan Einstein concept in which refugees, Utrecht inhabitants from the neighbourhood and youngsters live, work and learn together, made possible by the Urban Innovative Action Fund of the European Commission. He is the chair of the City initiative on Migrants with Irregular Status in Europe (C-MISE) together with Oxford University, a network of 50 cities. He is also member the International Alliance of Safe Harbours, a network of 40 cities with a welcoming culture for refugees.

Italian Canadian, born in Bologna on 25.04.1991, graduated in Law between the University of Bologna and King's College London, specialized at the School of Specialization in Public Administration Studies at the University of Bologna ad then hired by the Emilia Romagna Region in the legal department. In 2016 she was elected Bologna’s youngest city councillor as the most voted in the municipal leftist platform Coalizione Civica per Bologna. In 2021 she was re-elected city councillor obtaining the most votes out of all candidates of all parties running in the city election with the platform Coalizione Civica Coraggiosa Ecologista e Solidale and was appointed Statutory Vice Mayor in charge of Housing, Climate Assemblies and Climate Office, Night Economy, Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination Policies. Since 2023 she has also assumed responsibility for Environmental Policies.

Jennie Corbett is the Strategy Principal for Asylum, Migration and Integration at Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). With the city-region’s ten local authorities and wider partners, she works to build a Greater Manchester where all residents can live well and thrive, no matter where they come from. Previously, Jennie worked in research and policy roles in the not-for-profit sector, including Homeless Link, Doctors of the World UK and RAND Europe.  At Homeless Link, she developed the organisation’s policy programme on non-UK national homelessness in the wake of COVID-19, underpinned by the report Unlocking the door: A roadmap for supporting non-UK nationals facing homelessness in England.

Since 2018 Rutger Groot Wassink has been Deputy Mayor for Social Affairs for the City of Amsterdam and is now serving his second term (since 2022). As such he is responsible for the reception and shelter of refugees, civic integration of migrants, adult education, participation, social services, democratisation, municipal holdings, and archaeology. He has been faction leader of the political party Groen Links (Green Left) in the Amsterdam City Council since 2014.

Shada Islam is an award winning and well-known Brussels-based analyst and commentator on European Union affairs who now works independently as an advisor/analyst/strategist/op-ed writer on Europe Africa Asia Geopolitics Trade and Inclusion. Her columns are published in the EU Observer, the Guardian and Hyphen Online. Shada worked for nine years as Director of Europe and Geopolitics at Friends of Europe, an influential independent think tank based in Brussels. She now runs her own Brussels-based global media, strategy and advisory company, New Horizons Project. Shada is Senior Advisor at the European Policy Centre and also at Bursons, a renowned international communication firm and a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe (Natolin). In 2017, Politico identified her as one of Brussels' 20 most influential women. In 2023 and 2024, she was on the ZN Consulting list of 50 top influencers. Shada has won a European of the Year in Media award from the European Movement International and a prize for her work on building an inclusive Union of Equality from the Association of European Journalists of Catalonia. Shada is “ambassador” for the Brussels Binder, a women-led directory of women experts.

Amir Issaa is a Rome-born rapper, author, and social activist of Italian and Egyptian descent. His work addresses themes of identity, migration, and social justice, using hip-hop as a means to challenge cultural stereotypes and inspire change. With over 300 songs and numerous workshops in the U.S. through his "Vivo per Questo" tours, Issaa blends music with education. His 2023 book Vivo per Questo involved U.S. students in its translation, while his latest work, Educazione Rap (2021), explores his global experiences. Through his creative journey, Issaa remains a powerful advocate for inclusivity and multiculturalism.

Jan graduated in civic sector studies at Charles University in Prague, he has been working for 7 years as a specialist in migrant integration at the Prague City Hall, before that he worked on the same agenda in the largest municipal district of Prague (Prague 4). One of his main tasks is to ensure the implementation of the integration policy of the City of Prague, which are set out in the city's strategic documents for this area. His work does not involve direct work with migrant clients, but rather focuses on systemic support for integration in cooperation with non-profit organizations, Prague municipalities and other institutional actors. Jan sees the development of systematic cooperation with migrants and their organisations in the development and implementation of the city's integration policy as a major challenge for Prague in the field of integration, as well as the anchoring of mainstreaming work with foreigners within the municipality. His hobbies include hiking in the countryside and playing the piano in an orchestra interpreting Jewish music.

Sara is a community psychology and researcher. She holds a double PhD degree in psychology at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Milan and the Universidad de Sevilla. She is currently teaching Community Psychology at Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan and works with CERISVICO and CESPYD, two research centers that develop interventions with migrant communities and no-profit organizations in Italy and Spain. She has also been developing sex education for migrant young women, after becoming a sex educator at AISPA. Her work aims to promote community participation, sense of community, psychological wellbeing and sexual health among migrant people.

Rita Monticelli teaches English studies, gender studies, history of culture, coordinates the Centre for Utopian Studies, the Master GEMMA (women's and gender studies), the Project EUTERPE (women's transnational Literature) at the university of Bologna. She was elected in the city Council where she is Delegate for human rights, interreligious and intercultural dialogue. 

Abd Alrhman Marae, is a 28 years old second-year Bachelor's student in Electronics, Electricity, and Energy. As a dedicated member of the AGORA team in Grenoble Alpes Metropole, he is passionate about helping refugees and sharing his personal journey as one.

Psychotherapist with a socio-constructionist and systemic orientation, working in various clinical centres in Milan. EMDR Therapist Levels I and II. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing is a psychotherapy treatment designed to alleviate distress associated with traumatic memories. As an organisational psychologist, she also supports companies by providing tailored training on topics such as intercultural communication, public speaking, work-life balance, resilience, and change management.

Yves Pascouau is a Nantes City Councillor for Europe, migration, and travelling communities (appointed July 2020) and Vice President of Nantes Métropole in charge of Europe (since June 2022). With over 20 years of experience in migration policy, he has served in academic roles, including at Université Libre de Bruxelles and Université de Nantes, and as Director of Migration and Mobility Policies at the European Policy Centre in Brussels.

Mika Penttilä is the Director of Education and Cultural Services at the City of Oulu, Finland. With extensive experience in the field, Mika has been instrumental in enhancing the city's educational and cultural landscape. Mika holds a degree in law and a degree in economics, which have provided a strong foundation for his career in public administration and cultural services. Before taking on the role of Director of Education and Cultural Services, Mika worked as the Head of Administration in the City of Oulu and gained valuable experience in the private sector as an Auditor and Bank Manager. Notably, Mika played a key role in the successful implementation of the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture bid, which is bringing significant cultural and economic benefits to the region.

Mr Psathas has been working for the City of Athens since 2010, in various positions related with the legal status and integration of third country nationals. Since 2016 is in charge of the above-mentioned department. From 2016 until 2022 was the focal person of the City of Athens at Open Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers in the area of Elaionas.

A Ukrainian refugee who moved to Timisoara, Romania, is an informal leader of the local Ukrainian community and manages the Telegram group "Ukrainians in Timisoara," which has over 1,000 members. Between 2022 and 2023, she collaborated with NGOs on about 30 cultural and social projects, helping to highlight the Ukrainian presence during Timisoara's "Capital of Culture" program. In April 2023, she founded the "Faina UA" Association, focusing on Ukrainian cultural diplomacy. Jane has 15 years of experience in event management and tourism, including roles in marketing, project coordination, CEO and R&D. 

Daro Sakho is an Italian-Senegalese professional born and raised in Bologna. She holds Master’s degrees in International Studies from the University of Turin and Beijing Foreign Studies University. Her career includes working with an Italian NGO in Senegal and currently managing Erasmus+ projects for a social cooperative in Bologna. She serves as one of five Diversity Managers for the Municipality of Bologna, and is actively involved with the SconfinaMenti Association, promoting international cooperation between Italy, Senegal, and other West African nations.

Kim Smouter is the Executive Director of the European Network Against Racism, through which he collaborates with institutions and CSOs across Europe to advocate for racial equality and foster cooperation among anti-racism groups. He is a 2024-2025 Obama Foundation Europe Leader and a 2023 Most Influential Person of African Descent.

André Sobczak works to empower cities in EU decision making through Eurocities, following two terms as Vice-President of the Nantes Metropolitan Area. He is forging new connections with academia, where he has a history of driving social and ecological change, spearheading initiatives on issues like gender equality and precarious employment. He leads with an approach of multi-level cooperation between the public sector, businesses and civil society for tangible positive impact.

Priyanka is working as the coordinator of migration work with the city of Oulu and has an experience of over 10 years working on migrant integration, participation, ethnic relations and antiracism. Priyaka has also worked in India with local NGOs, Ministry of urban and rural development and consultant companies on issues relating to local self-governance, community participation, community research, disaster management and indigenous knowledge.  Priyanka has a master’s degree in social work from Tata Institute of social sciences, Mumbai, India.

Antonella Valmorbida has been the Secretary General of ALDA since 1999. She has senior experience in promoting local democracy, empowerment and participation of civil society, and good governance in Europe, in the Balkans, in Eastern Europe, and in the Mediterranean area. She is a European senior consultant on local development with a focus on the implementation of participatory processes for urban regeneration. She manages a network of 300 members mainly composed of local authorities and civil society groups, in over 40 countries in Europe and beyond.

PhD student in Scuola Normale in Italy and communications and partnership officer in Arabi facts hub (AFH), he was a non-resident fellow at Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, Cairo, where he does research and write articles on topics relevant to minority issues in SWANA region and develops strategies or plans to address existing minority problems in the region. He has been invited as keynote speaker to many human rights events, trainings, conferences, and workshops. Additionally, he has been awarded of the Maria Grazia Cutuli award – 2021, "Brescia for Peace" award – 2021, and of the Social Action award – 2020.