Russian Federation

I am a social entrepreneur and founder of Brighter Smiles, which coordinates the EVETTI project under the Erasmus+ Programme action Capacity building in the field of VET. I am a VET teacher in craft-, design and product development-. In media and communication, I am a farmer, a sailor and a fashion designer with 15 years of professional experience in the industry, working in Spain, England and Norway. I am passionate about transforming lives through education and lifelong learning and recognize the critical role of education as one of the main drivers of the development of the individual and society. I believe diverse, inclusive, and thriving local communities that contribute to sustainable production and consumption and equitable, prosperous, and peaceful societies can be achieved through co-creation and comparison with good environments at home and abroad.

I am an Ethiopian filmmaker, theatre artist, and media professional passionate about using storytelling as a tool for cultural preservation, social dialogue, and community empowerment. With a BA in Cinema and Theatre Arts and ongoing graduate studies in Media and Communication, I bridge artistic creativity with strategic communication to create impactful narratives.

Currently serving as Assistant Director of Stage and Studio Production at Amhara Media Corporation, I coordinate television, cultural, and studio productions, ensuring quality storytelling and audience engagement. My creative portfolio includes the feature film ውጥን (“Wutin”), short films such as Whispered Fractures, and theatre productions like Titon (children’s theatre) and Homa-Mir (indigenous marriage traditions of Gojjam).

Beyond the stage and screen, I have organized and hosted major cultural events including ንባበ ሕይወት and ንቂ ኢትዮጵያ book festivals, both covered by Amhara Television. I have participated in international festivals such as SmartPhilm, and received training from Canon Academy, Reuters, and American University.

My work focuses on amplifying underrepresented voices, integrating indigenous knowledge into modern media, and leveraging digital platforms to extend the reach of Ethiopian visual storytelling. I aim to foster cross-cultural dialogue, inspire youth, and use media as a catalyst for positive social change.

Prior to establishing 'Independent Peace Associates' (Indie Peace), Juliet worked for over 20 years managing conflict transformation and civic engagement programmes in the former Soviet Union and western Balkans with the EU in Russia and non-governmental organisations VSO and International Alert. As such Juliet has a wealth of expertise in programme management, design, monitoring and evaluation and has managed research, dialogue, public education and advocacy initiatives, bringing together conflicting sides, fostering youth engagement, critical thinking and promoting social justice.

More recently, Juliet gained a degree in Psychosocial Studies and has been exploring the use of arts and culture-based approaches for social change inspired by her engagement with cultural dialogue between writers, artists, musicians and public figures from across the Caucasus.

Full Professor at Maastricht University; Head of the UNU-MERIT Graduate School; specialized in poverty and social protection systems analysis.

Over 15 years in sustainable disability-inclusive development with a particular focus on Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Direct experience advising governments and international donors to design policies that work for persons with disabilities with direct participation of persons with disabilities and other groups that have been traditionally excluded and ignored.