Food access and availability

Alexandre Castellano.

Born in France on 16 May 1975.

Nationality: French and Italian

Education: MSc in Biology in Italy and MSc in Public Health Nutrition at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Position: from 2020 to date - DG ECHO Head of Office - Pretoria - South Africa - for the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Region.

Previous positions: from 2000 to 2012 working with various NGOs dealing with emergencies and innovation technologies in seven African countries – from 2013 to 2016 policy officer with ECHO in the head quarter dealing with Food Assistance, Nutrition, Cash-Based Transfers and Innovations. From 2016 to 2020, ECHO Technical Assistant for the Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Region.

Key interest: Innovative Technologies applied to humanitarian response.

I'm Anna Tsenteradze, a first-year Ph.D. student at the Czech University of Life Sciences. During my Master's studies, I actively participated in the VCA4D project, delving into the analysis of the Freshwater Aquaculture Sector in Georgia. This experience, where I served as a junior expert and contributed to translation and economic analysis, fueled my decision to pursue a Ph.D.

My current research focuses on value chain analysis, using the VCA4D methodology as a framework (mainly for qualitative analysis). The title of my dissertation is "Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains: A Pathway to Food Security and Rural Prosperity." I'm keen on conducting further research in value chain analysis, aiming to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.

I have been directing the Israel Italy Chamber of Commerce for the past 13 years, the Chamber is an NGO recognized both by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and Israeli Ministry of Economy. I have been very active i incrementing exchange between Israel and Italy covering the science, diplomacy, economic, investments and innovations. The Chamber is part of a net of Italian Chambers all over the world. My speciality is to match critical problems to innovation, whether medical, agricultural, scientific, and fronteer innovation. I have been scouting for innovation for the major international multinationals.
In 2021 I was bestowed the title of Knight of the Italian Republic, by the Italian President, Sergio Mattarella.

I joined the Permanent Representation of Greece to the EU in September 2023. I am dealing mostly with EU International Development and Cooperation issues as a designated delegate at relevant working parties of the Council. My main WPs are CODEV-PI, RELEX-HQ and EFTA. I am looking forward to engage with colleagues and stakeholders from the EU Institutions and all over Europe.