International cultural relations & diplomacy

My name is Mengistu Gebremedhin. I work as a lecturer and researcher at Mekelle University, Department of Journalism and Communication in Ethiopia. I have a strong interdisciplinary background spanning anthropology, sociology, and communication. I hold an MA in Sociology from the Catholic University of Eichstatt-Ingolstadt in Germany and an MA in Journalism & Communication from Addis Ababa University. Currently, I am doing a PhD study in Anthropology at Mekelle University. My research interests lie at the intersection of Media representation of social issues, development communication, media anthropology, and health communication, focusing on the media's role in shaping societal attitudes and behaviors. I have researched audience interaction with media, refugee integration, immigration, and community empowerment in Ethiopia. With over 15 years of experience in academia and research, including roles as a Head of Department and Communication Officer in health and demographics surveillance systems, I have contributed to publications and taught courses such as Media and Communication Research Methods, Intercultural Communication, and Development Communication. I am proficient in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and possess strong analytical and communication skills, demonstrated through the research projects I have been engaged in and course teachings.

Working in EU Public Diplomacy since 2006: as an EU diplomat, press officer, communication manager, EU project team leader and as a strategic communication expert.
Since October 2025, Associate Director of Strategic Communication at the European Policy Center.
Founding staff of the European Endowment for Democracy.
7+ years Damascus and Kyiv.
Active in pan-European political party Volt Europa.
Political Science degrees from Yale, SciencesPo-Paris and Free University-Berlin, and Harvard certificate in "Leadership and Community Organising".
Author of “EU Public Diplomacy in an ever-changing world” (University of Southern California).
uscpublicdiplomacy.org/story/new-cpd-perspectives-eus-public-diplomacy

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 programme and project manager for EU and UN funded projects in the security sector, specialised in capacity building actions, police and military training, institutional advising, with specific focus on counter-terrorism, asymmetric threats, organised crime, technology innovation and research.

I directly participated in about 60 projects over 17 years in Europe, South East Asia, MENA, Sahel, Horn of Africa regions, as project manager, team member or short term expert.
I hold a Degree in Law and Master Degrees in “Theories and Methods in criminal investigation” and in "Strategic Information and Information Security", as well as specialization courses in CBRNe intelligence, crisis management, civil-military cooperation, law enforcement.

Italian Carabinieri military officer (reserve) specialised in international cooperation, I work as Senior Expert in EU funding at Eutalia (public company), dealing with operational as well as administrative and contractual duties.
Member of the Management Board at the Observatory on Security and CBRNe Defence – OSDIFE, Italy and co-founder at Il Caffè Geopolitico, cultural association and magazine on geopolitics.

International Trade Specialist | Educational Consultant | Entrepreneurship & Leadership Speaker.
Passionate about promoting the growth of entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses through practical solutions in female empowerment, international trade, and access to global markets.

With over 13 years of experience combining international logistics, consulting, and education, my approach integrates:

✔ Strengthening entrepreneurial mindset and culture:

We provided training for 60+ female entrepreneurs, holding a workshop on introducing business models that sought to strengthen different concepts with the goal of encouraging purpose and introducing methodologies.

We designed the training program Accounting vs. Finance: Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset. Impacting approximately 200 entrepreneurs through the Opportunities Without Borders program.
✔ Leadership & Social Impact:

Ambassador for the international organization Mundo Rural Today. I promote partnership leadership through our Global Development Plan program. I work collaboratively for education and the economy, articulating SDG 8: Decent Work, linking public and private institutions, with SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

I belong to the mentor network of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Magdalena. I have mentored various projects, generating knowledge transfer and management in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

✔ Technical Experience:

Customs and logistics management: Optimization of operations in Free Trade Zones (ZFB Group, Hacienda La Gloria).

Educational Consulting: Development of training content in agile methodologies, applying design thinking.

🔹 "I believe in the power of education and collaboration to transform realities. Today, I help professionals and organizations connect their projects with global opportunities, while promoting equity and social innovation."