Tamar Shuali Trachtenberg is an assistant professor and a Faculty of Education member at the Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Martir. D. Shuali is the founder and the head Researcher of the European Institute of Education for Democratic Culture of the UCV. She also leads the research group on Citizenship Cultural Diversity and Education of the same university. She holds a Ph.D in Pedagogy (University of Valencia 2008), International MA degree in Peace conflict and Development Studies.( University Jaime I Castellon, 2007) MA in Theory of Education ( Valencia University, 2002) and B.A in Humanities and Spanish Philology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem she has been the leading researcher of the JRC-UCV research project on “ Addressing Educational needs of Teachers in the EU for inclusive education in the context of Diversity ( INNO4DIV 2019-2023)which produced 5 books and a comprehensive manual for Policy makers. Dr Shuali is a member of the Jean Monnet Centre of excellence of the Valencia University where she focuses on, Inclusive education, Cultural Diversity and fight against discrimination through teacher education and youth civic engagement. In alignment with the EU Commission educational priorities 2020-20230 and following CoE RFCDC conceptual model, Dr. Shuali trains nationally and internationally teachers and youth non -formal education stakeholders. On 20219 she joined the CoE working group on RFCDC implementation in teacher education (Educational Policy Division), she is the author of several publications in English and Spanish on RFCDC in formal and non-formal education contexts, and is also the Co-Author of the CoE Manual on RFCDC introduction course ( 2023). As an educators she is a strong supporter and promoter of international cooperation and quality standards in education, as such she is a member of the Global Exchange Network on Religion of the EU Commission- Unit for foreign Policy Instrument and a member of several European research societies such as the European Society of Research in Educating, the Spanish Comparative Education Society, the Sociedad Española de Pedagogia, International Association for Intercultural Education, Democracy and Human Right Education in Europe ( DARE) and is the Spanish representative of the CoE North South Centre on Global Education . Her fields of knowledge and research interest are: Intercultural Education, Theory of education, Social Justice, Inclusive Education , Human right / Shoah Education, Non-formal Education Democracy & Education, teacher education , EU values. As a trainer for trainers. Dr Shuali has a vast experience in teacher education and youth non formal education and is also very much c concerned with civil society and youth engagement for democratic culture. She has founded on 2021 the Simone Veil Chair for the prevention of Racism, Antisemitism and enhancement of Interculturality under the umbrella of the Complutense University in Madrid and just before on 2020 established the Jovenes Investiagdores por la Interculturalidad youth association under ECUDEM-UCV which she leads.
Nishant Malhotra is the visionary behind "The middle Road," a groundbreaking for-profit social impact platform, where he serves as the Solo Founder and CEO. Nishant Malhotra, a luminary in the realm of social impact, channels his passion for global change through innovative EdTech and media solutions in his startup, "The middle Road." This unique platform seamlessly integrates media and EdTech, delivering accessible, top-tier higher education in the fields of social impact, especially international development and the financial services sector. Before his current role, Nishant wore many professional hats. With a wealth of experience acquired from diverse roles within the financial services sector, Nishant holds prestigious degrees in public and business administration from renowned global institutions. His work experience includes a diverse range of roles within the private banking and wealth management sector, including a leadership role as the head of domestic financial advisory private banking at a leading private bank in India. He also briefly taught as a visiting professor at multiple business schools in India and worked in the technology sector. In addition to his professional work, Nishant volunteered as a teacher in a visually impaired school in Pune, India.
Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, he is a fervent fitness enthusiast, a speaker par excellence, an ardent reader, a dedicated researcher, an educator, a prolific writer, a consultant, and a captivating podcast host. Nishant's unwavering dedication to making a positive social impact on a global scale has earned him the esteemed Indian Achievers Award. Furthermore, "The middle Road" was recognized as one of the top 11 civic tech startups in India in 2022 by Best Startup India, a top 35 social impact startup in India by Startup Pill in 2021. Nishant Malhotra holds a master's degree in public administration from the Gerald R Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, as well as MBAs from China Europe International Business School in Shanghai, China, and Symbiosis Institute of Business Management in Pune, India. His educational journey began with a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering from Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune University, India.
Giordano Golinelli is a project designer, educational/pedagogical counselor, senior trainer, communicator and evaluator with 20 years’ experience in active global citizenship education. He graduated in philosophy and holds a II level master degree in communication and environmental management. From 2002 to 2007 he worked as NGO staff in the so called “Development Education” unit, dealing with the design, management and implementation of projects co-financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Commission and many public and private Italian donors. Since 2007 he has been working as project designer, educational/pedagogical counselor, senior trainer (also for teachers of multicultural classrooms) communicator and evaluator in projects on global citizenship education, sustainable development, migration, inclusive education and interculture, social communication and co-development implemented by several Italian NGOs, CSOs, universities and public authorities. He has had professional experience in Nicaragua and Senegal. In 2014 he was selected in the Start Up for Social Entrepreneurship promoted by the Italian Union of Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Since January 2015 he is CEO of Step4 Ltd, a social enterprise that provides products and services for consulting, training and support in the design, formulation, management and evaluation of education, training, capacity building and communication projects.
I am a senior executive with 20+ years of experience in programme management, trade and investments, with a strong track record in EU- and donor-financed projects. I have worked extensively in Ukraine, the EU and partner countries, implementing programmes that supported democratic transition, institutional strengthening, private sector development and European integration.
As founder and director of EuroExpert, I have led advisory projects under EU4Business, GIZ and other donor initiatives, supporting SMEs, business associations and civil society to access EU markets, improve competitiveness and build cross-border partnerships. I also co-founded the European-Ukrainian Bridge e.V., an NGO with 11 offices across Europe, mobilising civil society and fostering EU-Ukraine integration.
My career includes senior management roles in international companies such as KAEFER and Hilti, where I directed multimillion-euro operations, negotiated investment projects across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and built international teams. I also managed operations of an IT company in the US, leading digital transformation and organisational development.
I am fluent in English, German, Ukrainian and Russian, with working knowledge of Polish and Czech. I am an active member of the Professional Government Association of Ukraine (PGA Ukraine), engaging in governance and policy dialogue. My expertise lies in designing and implementing EU programmes, managing multi-stakeholder processes, and building sustainable partnerships between the EU, Ukraine and neighbouring regions.
I am particularly interested in contributing to projects under DG NEAR and DG INTPA, focusing on trade, investment, digitalisation, civil society support and resilience building in Eastern Partnership and Central Asia countries. My motivation is to bridge business, government and civil society for long-term impact.
I am a Sustainable Development Practitioner with a diverse expanse of interests and subsequent expertise, which are founded on a keen understanding and appreciation for the significance attributed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).