Who am I & What I do?

Discover my activity, year by year!

Or read chronologically, here:

I was born in Santiago, Chile in August 2001. My mother is Chilean from Santiago with Palestinian origins, and my father is Italian from Bologna and has Venetian and Ligurian origins.

As a child, after a few years of living in Chile, in 2004, my parents decided to move to Bologna, Italy so that I could benefit from a quality and public education. In those first years in Italy, I had the opportunity to discover many aspects of myself, from leadership and organizational skills to the passion for digital and IT, the passion for reading and writing, up to music, starting to play the piano.

In November 2008 my sister Sofia was born, and my mother’s motherhood journey and the history of our family were covered by Sky Italia. Then, I went to the middle school, in Bologna. Those years were not easy, I was a victim of bullying and I distanced myself a bit from my discovery. Thanks to some experiences, I have in any case good memories of this years:

• I’ve been selected for a new project called Girls Code It Better, where only 20 girls across the region had specific training for technology and coding. Participating in this project meant getting involved in designing and creating products useful to people, schools, and the territory. Technologies have been the means to have fun, learn and create within a group. Teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, learning, and communication. All this is within the Girls Code It Better club. I learned notions and skills in electronics and automation, digital manufacturing, 3D modelling and printing, web design and web development, app development and gaming.

• My class was selected as a Cl@sse2.0. A 2.0 classroom can be defined as a hybrid environment in which face-to-face work with technologies and remote, synchronous or asynchronous, networking alternate and merge in a completely natural way into a single learning-teaching process. The classroom remained the space within which the most important training actions continued to be carried out; a flexible and open classroom that managed to extend beyond space-time boundaries thanks to the support of the technologies. Technology was integrated into school work to such an extent that it transformed the usual practices of teachers and students from within.

During these years, I received a diagnosis of atopic eczema, after enduring years of relentless itching, inflammation, and skin discomfort has been incredibly validating and transformative for me. It has meant that my symptoms—such as the persistent dry, red, and scaly patches on my skin—were finally acknowledged as legitimate. Identifying the cause of my suffering brought immense relief and provided a clear explanation for my ongoing issues, including the frequent flare-ups triggered by stress, weather changes, and allergens. With a proper diagnosis, I was able to seek out and receive effective treatments specifically for atopic eczema, such as topical corticosteroids, emollients, and antihistamines, which have significantly improved my quality of life. Understanding my condition has given me the power to make informed decisions about my health and lifestyle, such as adopting a skincare routine tailored to my needs, avoiding known triggers, and maintaining a humid environment to prevent skin dryness. This knowledge has also strengthened my ability to advocate for myself in medical and personal situations, ensuring that I receive the care and consideration I need.

Then, for 7 years, from 2013 to 2020, I volunteered for Susan G. Komen Italy, the only organization that addresses breast cancer on multiple fronts such as research, community health, global outreach and public policy initiatives in order to make the biggest impact against this disease. I contributed to the organisation and management of the Race for the Cure in Bologna for many years working in the Fundraising, Communication & Press, but also educational activities for children.

In these years I also started studying face-painting and photography in Milan and Turin for a photography agency working in Italy and abroad.

After those stormy years, In 2015 I decided to change my life with small actions: from cutting my hair to attending a school where I was “new” to everyone. I enrolled at the Gaetano Salvemini Technical Commercial Institute in Casalecchio di Reno (near Bologna) to study International Relations for Marketing, an international course with a comprehensive study plan, including law, economy and media subjects. I started to love law, economics, and politics and to get involved in student political activities as a school representative, and local political activities with the party Possibile, a left-wing political party, launched in Rome in the same year (2015).

Possible’s progressive platform were a mixture of social democracy, democracy, green politics, liberalism and elements of participatory democracy. Possible’s logo, including an equals sign, referred to a fundamental issue for the party, equality, inflected in multiple fields such as the economy, conflict of interest, separation of powers, antisexism, LGBTI+ rights, and immigration. During high school I started going to anti-fascists events and demonstrations.

In 2016 I was awarded twice for scholastic excellence in event organization and public involvement. I shot and coordinated a short film dedicated to bullying victims called YOLO – You Only Live Once for the “Diritto al Corto” Festival of the Roma Tre University, which later won (I was 15 at that time).

I participated and became a finalist in the Literary Competition of 6 December 1990, in honour of the massacre that occurred at the Salvemini School, for which even today, no justice has occurred.

Me at the regional news on 06/12/2015 on occasion of the Anniversary of the Salvemini Massacre (06/12/1990)

In 2017, I discovered that I had dyscalculia, thanks to a visionary teacher who did not allow himself to be contradicted by the fact that I had excellent results in all subjects except mathematics (many thought I couldn’t have a specific learning disorder given this fact). I therefore decided, also with other impulses from the teachers to transfer to the Laura Bassi Economic-Social Lyceum (where I also started learning French!) and I won the first place of the Fahrenheit 451 Literary Competition Prize.

I continued to support Possibile until 2019. Also and above all, at the Laura Bassi High School I continued my student political activity, becoming class representative several times. By deepening my studies in philosophy, sociology, anthropology, law, political economy, European studies and foreign languages, my political vision is also refined. In 2018, following a political action that I did not agree with, of many words and little pragmatism, I left Possibile. During 2017-2018 I took some new photography and video-making courses and I worked in Castagneto Carducci, Tuscany, as a photographer for a photo-agency working in Italy and abroad.

2018 is a year of redefinition and even deeper exploration of my passions and numerous discoveries in terms of tools, places and people that will be fundamental for the years to come. I was invited to participate at local (Bologna, Italy), regional (Emilia-Romagna, Italy), national (Rome, Italy) and international (Strasbourg, at the Council of Europe, France) level in the National Digital School Plan (Piano Nazionale Scuola Digitale, PNSD) of the Italian Ministry of Education, the University and Research (MIUR), for the launch of an overall strategy of innovation of the Italian school and for a new positioning of its educational system in the digital era.

I was nominated for my commitment to student rights and innovation. I was honored and learned a lot by travelling around Italy and also participating in Hackathons that aimed to innovate the Italian school & university systems. In those years I also went outside my comfort zone by also participating in Scientific hackathons, in particular for the creation of a project dedicated to the innovative reconstruction of historic Italian cities after earthquakes and natural disasters (Hack-Quake). The project, also evaluated by engineers, won first place in Carpi (Modena, Italy).

In 2018 I also founded a “Libera Associazioni/Nomi/Numeri contro le mafie” collective against the mafias in Bologna, dedicated to Benedetto Zoccola. Libera is a network of associations, social cooperatives, movements and groups, schools, unions, dioceses and parishes, scout groups, involved in a commitment not only “against” mafias, corruption, crime phenomena and those who fuel them, but profoundly “for”: for social justice, for the search for truth, for the protection of rights, for a transparent policy, for democratic legality based on equality, for a living and shared memory, for citizenship worthy of spirit and hopes of the Italian Constitution. There are 80 international organizations belonging to the Libera International network, in 35 countries in Europe, Africa and Latin America. In the same year, I also founded the Queer collective and antidiscrimination space of the Lyceum Laura Bassi in Bologna, the first LGBTIQ+ anti-racist and feminist space in a school in Italy.

Last but not least, between 2018 and 2022 I was part of the Radio Alta Frequenza by Mosaico di Solidarietà (Fondazione del Monte) Team, a radio which deals with migration, international cooperation and emergency management. I was in charge of project management and partnerships.

In January 2019, I was asked to award the most innovative projects at the Teatro delle Celebrazioni for the Digital School Award (PSD), part of the PNSD.

In 2019 I started appreciating and informing more and more on the European Union. I started engaging in EU Advocacy, and in particular with the GVC-WeWorld NGO and Sudwind. I participated in the project “MyRevolution1968“, where I was responsible for the analysis of the historical process linked to 1968, linking it to the problems of contemporary reality. It was a project of transnational cooperation, travelling between Poland, Austria and Belgium, intending to identify shared needs for social change. I wrote, together with other young European advocates, a Youth Manifesto with our demands for EU change, presented and discussed at the European Parliament Plenary in Brussels, Belgium. I was in charge to explain the Education demands, together with my Polish colleague Zuzana Tola.

This project gave me the chance to analyse EU policies and develop proposals for the European Parliament. And needless to say, with Brussels it was love at first sight.

Also in that year I started participating to the Fridays for Future movement, in Bologna.

… and to talk about the Chilean political situation in schools and universities:

… and I also joined the transfeminist association Non Una di Meno.

Same year, I won a scholarship to attend a European citizenship course financed by the European Union, and a 3-week study trip to Dublin, Ireland.

In the school year 2019-2020, I was elected as the Students High School President in Liceo Laura Bassi. My campaign was focused on an innovative, inclusive, accessible and digital school, respectful of every student and every teacher living in that space every day.

That year I also attended a course that opened my eyes in terms of economic sustainability, an annual course in Civil and Social Economy organized by the LUISS Guido Carli University and the School of Civil Economy of Florence.

I focused also on the Basaglia Law and mental health, visiting former mental asylums. My cousin has a psychiatric mental illness, and this topic has always been close to my family.

Then, at the age of 18, after already 4 years of personal awareness and support to the LGBTIQ+ movement, I decided to proudly come out as a lesbian. Already a happily transfeminist and supporter of the queer community, I put together a little piece of who I am and made it public.

In this period I started to get closer to +Europa (More Europe), which is a liberal and pro-European political party in Italy, part of the centre-left coalition and member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE). +Europa was launched in November 2017, so just a couple of years before my engagement. The founding members were 2 liberal and distinctively pro-Europeanist parties: the Italian Radicals (RI), whose leading members included Emma Bonino, Riccardo Magi and Marco Cappato, and Forza Europa (FE), led by Benedetto Della Vedova.

+Europa and its leaders fought numerous battles for civil rights and individual liberty, mainly concerned with divorce, the legalisation of abortion, the legalisation of drugs (e.g. cannabis), and sexual and religious freedoms, but more in general the promotion of human rights and democracy, and the fights for the abolition of the death penalty. But also they fought for an end to capital punishment, against female genital mutilation, and the eradication of world hunger. Bonino funded the Information Centre for abortion (CISA), and she supported the international movement condemning the discrimination of females in Afghanistan. +Europa is a federalist party that supports the creation of the United States of Europe. In favour of the decriminalisation of surrogacy, the legalization of living wills and a reform of family law with a view to overcoming discrimination in matters of marriage, civil union, adoption, automatic recognition of children at birth and opportunities for children of separated parents, supporting queer marriages and adoptions, +Europa is also in favor of euthanasia and ius scholae.

In the summer of my 18th birthday, I took a solo trip to Chile from north to south to better discover the country where I was born and the country I feel as mine as much as Italy and Belgium are.

In January 2020 I was a victim of sexual violence, and I reported it to the police. It was a complex moment, followed by an intense lockdown only after a few months, even when I had to go to court to identify the culprit.

In February, 2020 I co-founded with Stella Guizzardi, Sara Fantappié and Cathy La Torre, the non-profit organisation Eduxo Italia APS (Associazione di Promozione Sociale), after having also been personally attacked for having brought education on sexuality and affectivity, and a queer representation among the desks of a high school in Bologna.

The only objective was to give everyone the information necessary to have their own vision of the world and a conscious approach, in this case to sexuality and LGBTIQ+ rights. EDUXO deals with informing and training the population on the objectives of the UN Agenda 2030 (on human rights, politics, economy, environment and climate resilience, education, gender and queer rights), in particular through educational tools.

Our main campaign is ‘Loveducation‘, which deals with advocacy activities on affectivity and sexuality education and gender studies, with a holistic, extensive and inclusive approach, in Italy and Europe. We are writing a law proposal on this topic in order to have mandatory sexual education in Italy. In 2020 I was elected as the President of Eduxo Italia APS and chair of its Executive Board.

During the pandemic, I decided to attend Veronica Benini’s Corsetty (also known as Spora), dedicated to my professional development in the field of communication and project management, and also I’ve been selected as an activist for the Political Mobilisation Course from February to June.

In June 2020 I finished my mandate as Student School President and I obtained the Diploma in Economic and Social Sciences at the Liceo Laura Bassi with distinction (97/100), then I enrolled at the University of Bologna in the Diplomatic and International Affairs Course, taking place in Forli, Italy. There I continued for a couple of years the student politics with the student association and electoral list “La Pallacorda“. In the same year, I was appointed as Spokesperson for the first-year students of my course. In July 2020 I was elected as Vice-president of ”La Pallacorda”, co-chairing the Executive Board.

At the beginning of 2021, together with my university activity, I decided to attend the Project Management course at the European Business School – University of Bologna, to obtain the PMI Certification. In April 2021 I did some LinkedIn training dedicated to the topic of inclusive female leadership.

In May/June 2021, I organised for Eduxo, in collaboration with Cassero LGBTI Center and Gender Bender Festival, the Amore in Mostra Festival.

Then, during the summer of 2021, I worked at the Polsa Summer English Camp, in Trentino Alto Adige, taking care of the coordination of children and teenagers during sports, classes, and also during educational trips in 2 regions. I have always tried to motivate students to carry out regional and international exchange courses, and to meet people scattered around Europe, I was a real Ambassador of international student experiences.

That year I decided to send an application to have the opportunity to do an Erasmus, I tried for 3 hosting universities, for an international mobility lasting one year. I applied to Umeå University in Sweden, Sciences Po Lille in France and Université Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium. I won in all 3 destinations, unexpectedly, and I chose to return to the city and country where I had left my heart a few years earlier, namely Brussels. I moved to Brussels (in the Cimitière d’Ixelles neighbourhood near the ULB) in September 2021. Bilingual programme taught both in English and French that offers a solid base of knowledge to allow critical reflection on European issues. The programme at the ULB included a common module with courses in fundamental disciplines of European studies, with the added value of a high-level interdisciplinary academic programme supported by a specialised faculty a privileged location in Brussels, the capital of the European Union and headquarters of many political institutions.

In November 2021 I organised together with my friend Deborah Conserva, for Eduxo, a demonstration dedicated to the collapse of the discussion on the DDL ZAN, the Italian law proposal against homolesbobiphobia, transphobia, ableism and misogyny, in particular dedicated to the Italian community living in Belgium, but also to keep the attention of the EU institutions on these rights violations happening in Italy.

Hundreds of people, including the press, took part in the demonstration which was held in front of the European Commission, in the Rond-point Schuman.

In my first year in Belgium, I also joined the Cercle LGBTQ+, Cercle Feministe of the ULB, Rethinking Economics Association, and the Associazione degli Italiani dell’ULB, and I started my activism in order to inform and create community between expats in Belgium, mostly on social media. I also joined as a Project Manager and EU fundraiser EUMANS. Eumans are citizens and activists from all around Europe engaged in a bottom-up political mobilization for socially and democratically sustainable EU policies. I had the pleasure to organise the Warsaw Congress “Citizens for freedom, ecology and democracy” (a concrete initiative for the protection and reinforcement of the rule of law and fundamental rights in all the European Union) and to be a speaker for LGBTIQ+ rights, Sexual/reproductive rights and affectivity education.

On 17th November, I’ve been invited to the UNINT University in Rome to have a lesson on Inclusion and Gender, and on 19th December, I was invited to talk about Inclusivity with Vera Gheno, by Irene Facheris for the Maratona Femminista.

In January 2022 I was selected as a Journalist/European Correspondent for Alanews/ANSA. Alanews is a media company founded in 2012 to apply digital techniques and procedures in the Journalism sector. ANSA is the no.1 Italian news agency since 1945 and one of the top-ranking in the world. Independence, rapidity, comprehensiveness, and reliability are the values that have always inspired the activities.

With the MEP, Massimiliano Smeriglio (S&D)

During my experience as a foreign correspondent, attached to the EU in Brussels and Strasbourg and NATO in Brussels, I have developed journalistic experience in writing agency launches, writing articles and in-depth reports, creating reportages, writing institutional agendas, investigative reporting, organizing/managing interviews, writing press releases, research, public speaking, digital journalism and video journalism, covering also the first 2 months of the war in Ukraine.

In April, I was asked to be a Project advisor for the Council of Europe during “The art of Learning Equality, Dignity, Democracy Forum on the present and future of citizenship and human rights education in Europe with young people” in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Policies (Italy), Ministry of Education (Italy), Amnesty International, CNG Consiglio Nazionale dei Giovani (Italy), Municipality of Turin and EYE – European Year of Youth.

This month, I finally received a diagnosis of a milk allergy after years of unexplained health issues has been incredibly validating and transformative for me. It has meant that my symptoms—such as frequent stomach cramps, skin rashes, hives, and even breathing difficulties—were finally acknowledged, putting an end to the invalidation and skepticism I often encountered. I was able to seek out and receive effective treatments and interventions specifically for a milk allergy, such as avoiding all dairy products, using alternative milk sources like almond or soy milk. Understanding my condition has given me the power to make informed decisions about my diet and lifestyle, such as carefully reading food labels, informing restaurants of my allergy, and preparing safe meals at home. This knowledge has also strengthened my ability to advocate for myself in medical and personal situations, ensuring that I receive the care and consideration I need. I have found support in communities of others who share similar experiences, which has helped reduce feelings of isolation and provided me with emotional backing.

In June 2022 I published a paper entitled Being discriminated against for being who you are: Sexuality as a taboo and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in contemporary society, written in the context of my academic course in Diversity Management. I also did an intervention talking about how much today Erasmus is just for an élite of students who can afford it, during the debate “365 Days of Youth” in the European Parliament, in the occasion of the European Year of Youth.

In July, I went to Budapest (Hungary) where I was invited as an expert, to the ‘Voices of Youth’ seminar for youth representatives. It aimed to train volunteers of DBYN’s member organisations (Don Bosco Youth Network) to become active in advocacy work relevant to the network. I was responsible for training the participants regarding the topic of international advocacy and campaign development.

During the month of August 2022, after the government crisis in Italy and with the need for new elections, I decided to contribute to the electoral campaign of +Europa. I was the Political Campaign Manager of Benedetta Dentamaro, the leader of +Europa for the Europe/Foreign constituency in the elections for the Italian Chamber of Deputies. I was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the political campaign, working closely with the Brussels group “+Europa Bruxelles in Europa” and the candidate, to develop and implement strategies, including creating and executing media plans and organizing events. For me, it was an honour to manage this campaign at a time when the far-right had (and now has) a major political role, to reduce rights for migrants, LGBTIQ+ people, women, and young people, exactly like me. The non-profit platform “La Strada dei Diritti” identified +Europa’s program for the 2022 political elections as the one that welcomed the greatest number of proposals on LGBTIQ+ issues. After this experience, I joined the +Europa Group Brussels in Europe.

In September 2022 I was selected as one of the first 100 young Italians who have the opportunity to attend the “Scuola di Politiche“. Scuola di Politiche aimed to increase the skills of young people with high potential, aged between 18 and 26, improving their ability to react to changes with awareness and to be actors of innovation in professional, civil and political life. Young people with a strong passion, ready to dedicate part of their time to public and institutional life with competence and ethical rigour: a new authoritative, open and European ruling class.

We developed a political campaign for the American candidate Gretchen Whitmer!

In the meantime, I continued my student activism with ”La Pallacorda” in Forli, and I joined WIIS Italy and WIIS Brussels. WIIS (Women in International Security Non-profit organisation) was first founded in the United States in 1987 by a small group of women, working in institutions or academia, as a response to the lack of support women received in the traditionally dominated by men, foreign policy and defence environments. The Italian and Belgian antennas aim to promote the mission of WIIS through the organization of events, debates and seminars on issues related to women and international peace and security. WIIS is a global network which currently has 35 antennas and more than 7,000 members worldwide.

In December 2022 I collaborated in the context of “Le Grand Bal d’Italie“, organised by Benedetta Dentamaro for the COMITES (Comitato degli Italiani all’Estero, Committee of the Italians living abroad) supported by the Italian Embassy in Belgium, and sponsored by, among others, Ferrero and Campari. This too was a wonderful opportunity to collaborate with the COMITES and to create community, as well as to promote the culture of dance, music, cinema and Italian cuisine abroad.

In 2023, meanwhile I was living abroad in Brussels, Belgium, I continued to study at the University of Bologna in Forli (Italy) and at the “Scuola di Politiche” (in Rome and Milan, Italy) and to be a member of the previous associations, although I left my role as the Vicepresident of ”La Pallacorda”. During the first half of the year, I’ve been involved in the Action Aid Project “ActJust”, in particular participating in 2 Policy Hackathons, first in Milan (first place) and then in Vienna at the UN Headquarters (first place).

As a key contributor to the impactful mission of ActionAid, my role was multifaceted and central to the commitment to achieving social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication on a global scale. The diverse responsibilities I undertake align with the organization’s overarching goals and reflect a dedicated effort to address the critical issues of climate change, environmental education, and sustainable development. One of my primary responsibilities involved spearheading climate change and environmental education policy analysis as part of the ActJust project (while having fun)!

This analytical work was essential in identifying areas for improvement and refining strategies to better address the complex challenges posed by climate change. This entails not only understanding the current landscape of climate education but actively working towards the creation of innovative and impactful educational approaches that empower communities to tackle climate-related issues. In advocating for system change, I played a crucial role in promoting the scaling up of successful local solutions, presenting our projects, developed together with Sarayumi Privitera (GIAP, IT, BE), Amir Speranza (IT), Penelope La Verghetta (IT, BE), Giulio Boccaccio (IT) and Margherita Rigoli (IT, NE).

By doing so, we strive to bridge the gap and enable climate action and adaptation in countries facing economic challenges. Beyond analysis and advocacy, I am proud to serve as a co-founder of both the EvolviON and ClimACT Projects. In summary, my role during these projects was instrumental in driving positive change by combining policy analysis, advocacy, project co-founding, and community support.

By actively engaging in these diverse tasks, I contributed to the organization’s overarching mission of fostering social justice, gender equality, and poverty eradication while addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change on a global scale.

In the same period, I was selected as one of the very few participants in the Europe101 Leadership Program of the Common Purpose organisation, which finished in April 2023. Europe101 was a programme which convened diverse groups of modern leaders, aged 18-25, challenging me to think through what sort of leaders my generation wants to be and giving me the skills to become part of them. Because after all, we are the generation who will shape Europe 100 years on. Europe101 equipped me with networks and Cultural Intelligence so I can become a leader who brings positive, game-changing impact. Together with other young leaders from across Europe, I’ve been asked to address the important challenge: “What will our generation’s legacy in Europe be?”.

Why I took part to this program? Because boundaries are everywhere. Between sectors, geographies, specializations, backgrounds and beliefs. Europe, too, is full of boundaries. Boundaries that modern leaders must cross for Europe to reach its full potential and become a global force for good. Europe101 was my opportunity to come together with peers from across Europe, to think through what I want our generation’s legacy to be and develop the leadership skills that I will need to establish it.

On the occasion of the 8th of March, I went to NATO to participate in the high-level event “Innovators and game changers: women in tech shaping the Future” with WIIS Brussels. During 2023 I participated in a lot of networking events in the field of International Security and also in workshops and professional events, to increase my knowledge in the sector.

In May, I began working for Alliance2015, a strategic network of seven European non-governmental organizations (NGOs) committed to humanitarian and development efforts. The members include ACTED/France, Ayuda en Acción/Spain, Cesvi/Italy, Concern Worldwide/Ireland, HELVETAS/Switzerland, People in Need/Czech Republic, and Welthungerhilfe/Germany. Established in 2000 to facilitate collaborations for greater impact towards the Millennium Development Goals, Alliance2015 operates as a operational network, aligning with the broader vision of Agenda 2030 for a world free from poverty, hunger, injustice, and inequality.

Alliance2015 has a significant overall footprint of approximately €1 billion, operating in 90 countries. The network advocates for aid and development effectiveness, emphasizing greater accountability and transparency, aspiring to become a stronger player in selected areas of development cooperation and humanitarian aid globally. My specific role is within the Advocacy and Communication Group, with additional support provided to the Alliance2015 Hub in Brussels. In summary, my role involves a diverse set of responsibilities, ranging from policy monitoring and advocacy to communication, event management, and organizational development, all contributing to the network’s mission of making a positive impact on a global scale.

In May I have also been the “face” of the ALDE Party for the European Pride in Brussels. In June 2023, I assumed the role of Communication and Press Coordinator for the +Europa Group in Brussels. This encompassed fostering relationships within the group’s community and expanding its network through strategic initiatives. Overall, my role as Communication and Press Coordinator is diverse, involving strategic communication planning, representation at events, media engagement, and community building for the +Europa Group in Brussels.

In June, with some friends and colleagues of the Scuola di Politiche we presented to the European Committee of the Regions, a proposal for a reform of the migration and asylum pact in the EU context called RE.TE & VSRL activation.

In July 2023 I won the scholarship for the Anti Social Park Impact Lab 2023 in Volterra, Tuscany (Italy), where 50 representatives of national and international organisations discussed the training of young activists, with networking activities, exchange of good practices and development of a plan for the creation of a body able to support the growth and development of other emerging activists. Impact Lab brought together non-profit organisations such as Eduxo, foundations and public administrations, to create a new third sector organisation that positions itself as a catalyst for social innovation processes in the field of youth activism at a national level.

On the 15th of September, 2023 I graduated in International and Diplomatic Affairs at the University of Bologna with a final paper entitled “Role and capacity of regional organizations (with particular reference to the EU) and non-state actors (with particular reference to NGOs) in crisis management”.

I enrolled on the Master Degree of the University of Bologna (Forli) in Diplomatic and International Affairs – International Politics and Security Curriculum: this program is designed to equip students with a deep understanding of the complex dynamics shaping the global political landscape and the critical issues concerning international security, analysing the ever-evolving nature of diplomacy, conflict resolution and cooperation in the international arena.

In September 2023, I had the opportunity to participate in a four-day Summer School titled “Unsustainable Legacies? Youth and the Right to Tomorrow” organised by Scuola di Politiche. The primary objective of this event was to tackle the challenges arising from significant global changes, disrupted balances, and complex crises. With pressing issues such as climate change, evolving socio-economic models, and growing authoritarian trends, particularly affecting the younger generation, the Summer School sought to delve into these themes and foster meaningful discussions. The participants, myself included, engaged in collaborative discussions addressing urgent actions related to sustainability, education, employment, innovation, development, migration, and health. The Summer School served as a crucial platform for reflection on past and current global crises, notably commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Italian Constitution, all while emphasizing the enduring values of freedom and democracy. The event provided a unique opportunity to explore and contribute to solutions for the complex challenges facing our world, especially those affecting the rights and future of the youth.

Furthermore, on this occasion, I had the opportunity to give my availability to contribute to the organisation of a European School of Politics, proposed by Enrico Letta, which will be born shortly, which will connect the Scuola di Politiche (Italy), the Academie notre Europe (France) and the Academia Europea Leadership (Spain).

At the end of October 2023, I volunteered at the World Food Forum organised by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) of the UN in Rome in the Communications Team. At the World Food Forum, I was committed to driving global change through effective communication and youth advocacy, spreading awareness about global food security and sustainable agricultural practices. I developed and executed innovative communication strategies to promote food security, sustainable agriculture, and nutrition. I created compelling content that engaged stakeholders, policymakers, and the public, driving them to take action for a hunger-free world. I spearheaded collaborations with world leaders, NGOs, and industry experts to amplify the Forum’s impact and reach. I worked on Global Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy on Food systems transformation.

I had the opportunity to participate in the +Europa Winter School Eureka, a three-day theoretical-practical training aimed at 50 young members under 35, with meetings with party leaders and lectures by experts in the fields of immigration, environment, labour, LGBTQ+ rights and drugs.

Eureka is the exclamation for a newfound idea. A solution to a problem or a novel point of view on a phenomenon is to invent a politics that rediscovers the taste for building the future. After school, we organised in Brussels interesting events regarding Women’s political rights in Europe and the United States of Europe (European Federalism)

In November 2023 I joined Volt Belgium, for me being able to participate in local politics and being able to think about candidacy for the European elections at 22, was fundamental. And Volt is the party whose values ​​I share and it is the name that I would easily put next to my name. Volt Europa (frequently abbreviated as Volt) is a pro-European and European federalist political party (often self-referring as a “movement”), which is organized as a pan-European umbrella for subsidiary parties of the same name and branding in all EU member states and several non-EU states (such as the UK, Switzerland, and Ukraine). The organisation aims to find European, supranational solutions on issues such as climate change, defence, energy, migration, economic inequality, terrorism and the impact of the technological revolution on the labour market. As such, the party is strongly in favor of European integration, with the stated goal of creating a European state. Further, it endorses a European army, joint European debt and taxes, as well as stronger economic solidarity between the member states.

I also joined the Eurocentralasian Lesbian Community (EL*C) for its incredible commitment.

Eduxo during the 2023 Autumn has designed the second most important campaign of the organisation: EUduxo. EUduxo focus on informing in what Europe does for us, and making the EU understandable for the majority of the citizens, through information and education, but also through advocacy instruments. An advocacy instrument fundamental in this topic is the campaign YouthPowerEU, focusing on lower ages to run as a candidate for the European Parliament, from 25 (minimum age today in Italy and Greece) to 18 in Italy. I am the coordinator of the advocacy team in Eduxo and I am proudly coordinating this campaign.

Since November 26, 2023, I have taken on the role of co-coordinator for the FIERE Collective (Femministe Intersezionali Europee per la Resilienza e l’Empacipazione, Féministes intersectionnelles européennes pour la résilience et l’émancipation). This role has been particularly meaningful, especially in connection with the first event, the Demonstration against gender-based violence on women.

FIERE believes in organising and participating together in social activities and events, in sharing our time and energy. We are a community, a network of people united by social, linguistic and moral relationships, common customs and we are located in the Brussels-Capital region.
– We give visibility to the products of transfeminist and intersectional activism of expats.
– We have a political commitment, we contribute to transfeminist and intersectional organised activism in order to create concrete socio-political change. We believe in collective action for a collective solution. We believe in activism as a means, through a socio-cultural revolution, to secure fundamental rights, for a world that stands for equity, social justice, and emancipation for all. We are a non-violent collective.
– We create a space for information and support, as well as listening, for women and the LBTI+ community, with a focus on women’s rights, queer rights and sexual and reproductive rights, combating gender-based violence, as well as support for socio-political, administrative rights for expats. – We strive to value Belgium’s artistic and cultural heritage, and to promote and enhance Italian culture abroad, improving the conditions of knowledge and increasing individual and collective enjoyment.
– We organise trainings and events on gender studies, queer studies and affectivity and sexuality education.
– We believe in the strength of the European Union as a push towards the EU of rights, and we strongly advocate to make it a better place.

My responsibilities within the collective are diverse and impactful. First and foremost, I am actively involved in advocating against gender-based violence, contributing to the collective’s mission to raise awareness and promote change. Another crucial aspect of my role involves providing information and support to expatriates on women’s and queer rights in Belgium. This includes offering resources and assistance to individuals navigating these rights within the local context. Organizing training sessions on gender issues, sexual and reproductive rights is also part of my responsibilities. These sessions aim to empower individuals with knowledge and promote discussions around important topics within the realm of gender equality. In addition, I play a key role in coordinating and participating in events that promote women’s rights and support the LGBTIQA+ community.

This involves active engagement in initiatives that foster inclusivity, equality, and visibility for marginalized groups. Furthermore, I lead a feminist reading and policy analysis group, contributing to the intellectual and strategic discussions within the collective. This involves staying informed on relevant literature and policies to better inform advocacy efforts. Lastly, part of my role includes promoting social gatherings for women in Brussels and across Belgium. These gatherings serve as platforms for building a supportive community, fostering connections, and enhancing the overall well-being of women within the region. In summary, as the co-coordinator, with my colleague and friend Agnese Marcigliano, of the Feminist and Queer Collective of Italian Women in Belgium, I am actively involved in various aspects of advocacy, support, and community-building, contributing to the collective’s broader mission of advancing women’s rights and fostering inclusivity.

This year I continued to do trainings in schools and to be invited to events to speak out about my personal manifesto and our world’ challenges.

During the last 2 weeks of December, I’ve decided to periodically publish the newsletter “Catalyst Belgium: Expat Insights & Opportunities Newsletter – by Isabella Sofia De Gregorio”. This newsletter aims to share insights and opportunities related to the world of work in Benelux and France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, to provide support and information to expats , and also share interesting info, events and activities in Belgium ! I am sending out valuable information regularly, addressing common queries received during expat consultations, on social media, and via email! This way, I can reach more people, and you can always have everything at your fingertips!

2024

I organised for +Europa Bruxelles, for the 1st of February, 2024 the first Cannabis-Café in Brussels for the Italians resident abroad, we talked about the legalisation of cannabis in Italy for the Campaign #MeglioLegale #IoColtivo!

And on the 10/11th February, I’ve been invited by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and the EU Commission, to join citizens from all over Europe to come together in Brussels, the heart of Europe, for one and a half days of lively discussions. In an innovative EU-wide deliberation run by professional facilitators, we welcome you to discuss the future of the European Green Deal – Europe’s plan to decarbonise and become a climate neutral continent by 2050. Co-organised by the EEB and partners within the framework of the REAL_DEAL project, this discussion is part of a research project focused on reshaping citizens participation and deliberative democracy in Europe. By conducting such a deliberation, we explored new formats to bring underrepresented voices to the forefront of policy making. These formats formed a part of the discussions during the event, and we hope that the insights can galvanise decision makers to consider new modes of deliberative democracy at EU level, as well as propel the ideas of participants into the spotlight for future policymaking. By taking part in this unique discussion in my personal capacity as a citizen, I had the chance to deliberate with others on the future direction of the ecological transition in Europe, participating in different themed focus groups such as the transforming the food and energy system, changing our economy, and protecting biodiversity.

On 12th February, I participated in a conference at the European Economic and Social Committee and counts with the participation of experts and policymakers, to connect with other like-minded young people and exchange views and experiences. During the Alliance for Youth Vote kick-off meeting on 13 February at the European Parliament’s Info Hub, I collaborated and created an action plan to help civil society and youth organisations reach as many first-time voters as possible for the 2024 European Parliament elections.

On 22nd February, I went to the event organised by The Good Lobby, among others, that addressed the topic of how can civil society can influence the EU institutions. A week after, the Civil Society Week occurred in Brussels!

With FIERE, we have organised the first Assembly for the 8th March and we went to the demonstration together with the Incendiarie collective in Brussels, collecting more than 400 italian participants in Brussels.

On the 14th of March I’ve also been invited as a speaker to the Volt’s Political Café on Women’s rights in Brussels, discussing with Suzana Carp, Johanna Dirlewanger-Lücke.

On the 18th of March, I’ve been invited to the EU&U event on Youth priorities for the next European Parliament mandate, also contributing and making visible the youth gap in representation at the EU level, a cause for which I am working a lot with Eduxo and the YouthPowerEU campaign.

On the 21st of March, I had the honour to collaborate with OXFAM Belgium in the context of the EU Citizens’ Summit, organizing a Workshop on Gender & Climate Justice in partnership with them. It was huge!

On the 22nd of March, I’ve been invited as a young activist of +Europa to a Renew Europe conference on Europe’s future and the Italian role in defense and international security.

In March 2024, I also decided to come back to study, participating to Useful Communications Strategies for LGBTIQ+ activists Course organised by ILGA Europe, and to
From dreams to action: The Art of Project Proposal Crafting, organised by Eurocentralasian Lesbian Community (EL*C).

On the 8th of April, we have reconstituted the +Europa section in Brussels.

On the 15th of April, I’ve been invited to the One World in Brussels Film Festival opening, gala and screening by Alliance2015, and in particular by People in Need, a Czech INGO working in the humanitarian sector worldwide, from whom I used to work with. The screening was “20 days in Mariupol”: an AP team of Ukrainian journalists trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol struggle to continue their work documenting atrocities of the Russian invasion. As the only international reporters who remain in the city, they capture what later become defining images of the war: dying children, mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital, and more. After nearly a decade covering international conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, for The Associated Press, 20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL is Mstyslav Chernov’s first feature film. The film draws on Chernov’s daily news dispatches and personal footage of his own country at war. It offers a vivid, harrowing account of civilians caught in the siege, as well as a window into what it’s like to report from a conflict zone, and the impact of such journalism around the globe.

Some days after, my participation to the Networking Event of Youth participation to the EU Elections, organised by Lifelong Learning Platform (LLLP), OBESSU and the EP CSOs Unit, marked an important step for coalition building and partnerships for the YouthPowerEU campaign of Eduxo.

This month, I receive the diagnosis of endometriosis. Receiving a diagnosis of endometriosis after years of suffering has been incredibly validating and transformative for me. It has meant that my pain and symptoms were finally recognized as real and not imagined, ending the invalidation and disbelief I faced. Knowing the source of my suffering brought immense relief, offering a clear explanation for my symptoms and struggles. With a proper diagnosis, I was able to pursue effective treatments and interventions tailored specifically for endometriosis, which have improved my quality of life. Understanding my condition has empowered me to make informed decisions about my health and lifestyle, and to advocate for myself more effectively in medical and personal contexts. I have connected with support groups and communities of others who share my experiences, reducing feelings of isolation and providing emotional support. This diagnosis has brought hope for a better future, allowing me to manage symptoms, reduce pain, and improve my overall well-being.

This month I also start a new professional experience, working on Community Communications at the European Federation of Allergy and Airways diseases patients’ associations, in Brussels.

Last May, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the EU Open Day in Brussels, celebrating Europe Day. Accompanying me was Martina Acquaro, the Vice President of Eduxo. Together, we championed the YouthPowerEU campaign, a vital initiative by Eduxo aimed at empowering young people across Europe. The atmosphere was electric, with people from all corners of the continent gathering to celebrate European unity and collaboration. As we navigated through the event, Martina and I engaged with numerous attendees, sharing the vision and goals of YouthPowerEU. We participated in lively discussions, workshops, and presentations, all centered around the pivotal role of youth in shaping Europe’s future.

Our presence at the EU Open Day was not just about promoting a campaign; it was about fostering a sense of community and highlighting the importance of youth participation in the European project. The response we received was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their support and enthusiasm for our cause. By the end of the day, Martina and I felt a renewed sense of purpose and motivation. We left Brussels inspired by the conversations we had and the connections we made, eager to continue our work with Eduxo and YouthPowerEU. This experience reaffirmed our belief in the power of youth to drive positive change and solidified our commitment to advocating for their voices to be heard on the European stage.

On the 14th of May, I’ve been invited as an expert for the Pint of Science International Festival. The title of my panel was: “Advancing an Intersectional Feminist Future”. Intersectionality and privilege are crucial in feminist urban planning, aiming to weave diverse identities into city design. We explored the connections between work, caregiving, family dynamics, gender, and mobility, to develop resilient and inclusive urban models. Addressing structural discrimination in Brussels is vital.

In June 2024 I started collaborating with the DG COMM of the European Commission for the Experience Europe permanent exhibition in Brussels.

On the 11th June, I’ve been asked to present the “Chi ha paura dell’Amore?” Book at Piola Piccola, in Brussels. The book, written by Flavia Ferroni discover the topic of queerness for teenagers of middle schools.

UPDATE IN PROGRESS….