De Jure Compliance, De Facto Resistance: The Persistence of Elite Power and Institutional Reform in EU Candidate States 
High-speed rail as a strategic infrastructure: a review of the EU’s high-speed rail vision within the TEN-T framework 
Dissent at the centre: protest policing in the EU’s capital 
Unpacking the Global Gateway’s Financial Structure: A Critical Look at its Development Logic 2025-2026 Ambassadors
Alex Crosby
Alex Crosby recently graduated with a Master’s degree in International and Security Politics from ESPOL. Her academic work focused on migration governance and refugee resettlement within European and global contexts. She has conducted extensive research on France’s reception and integration policies, including two thesis projects examining state practices and international cooperation.
Originally from the United States, she has spent five years living, studying, and working in France, developing strong cross-cultural communication skills and work experience in international environments. Alex is passionate about human rights, global governance, and improving public policy for displaced populations.
She aims to pursue a career in international organizations where she can contribute to impactful, mission-driven work.
Belgium
Leuven – Joppe Doms
Joppe Doms is a 20 year old Student pursuing the Joint Bachelor of European Studies in Leuven. He will be majoring in European Public Law at UCM and minoring in Foreign Policy at KU Leuven.
He is involved in multiple ‘magazine’ initiatives taking up the roles of both writer and editor-in-chief and he has a history as Event Organisr for the Student Initiative Historia. Furthermore, Joppe also has a seat at the Youth Council of Leuven, representing the cities youth in all related affairs.
Brussel – Virginia Bima
Virginia Bima is an Italian graduate in Communication Studies from the University of Bologna, with further academic experience in History and Political Science at Sciences Po in France.
She recently completed a Master’s in Journalism & Media in Europe at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, where her research focused on right-wing alternative media, conspiracy theories, and the role of religion in contemporary political communication. Before moving to Brussels, Virginia lived in Berlin, where she worked in content creation and marketing for an international company, gaining valuable experience in cross-cultural communication.
Now she works in event and communication management at the European Health Management Association (EHMA). Passionate about European affairs, media literacy, and democratic public spheres, Virginia is committed to strengthening civic engagement and fostering dialogue across Europe through research-driven communication.
Cyprus
Aagya Tripathee
Currently a second-year medical student at the University of Nicosia. Originally from Nepal, she has lived in the Philippines, Kenya, and Cameroon, giving her a strong global perspective.
She is passionate about culturally responsive science communication, global public health and policy, and disaster medicine and preparedness.
She has previous volunteering experience with the Alzheimer’s Society UK and the Nepal Red Cross.
Czech Republic
Prague – Muni Kim
Muni KIM, he is a young artist and poet, currently studying Restoration and Conservation at Svetla Academy Art School in the Czech Republic.
He is of Czech and Korean dual citizenship, and he was born in Prague as a twin to a multilingual and multicultural family. He travelled around the world by bicycle for four years with his father and twin brother, when he was three to seven years old.
He is passionate about international volunteering and youth activities. He likes philosophical dialogues and Zen meditation. He is also into all kinds of sports, especially swimming, judo, and boxing. He is ambitious about making the world a better place through insights into universal values and diversity.
Prague – Tomé Lopes Figueira
Tomé is a Portuguese student currently completing his Master’s in International Security Studies at Charles University in Prague. He has a background in Political Science and International Relations from the NOVA University of Lisbon and has interned for the Security and Defense Department of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
His academic interests lie mainly in post-Soviet and Euro-Atlantic security, as well as civil-military relations. Additionally, he also holds a passion for urbanism and local governance.
As Ambassador to Prague, Tomé hopes to connect young voices to Academia and help fellow students take their first steps in their professional lives.
France
Strasbourg – Pasquale Dattola
He holds a BA in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Trento, and is currently pursuing the Erasmus Mundus Master’s Joint Degree ”Euroculture” in European Studies at the University of Groningen and the University of Strasbourg.
This international path, which included an Erasmus+ semester in Frankfurt during his Bachelor’s studies, has fostered a strong international profile and enabled him to become proficient in English, French, and German.
His primary fields of interest include EU policymaking and external action, and he aims to pursue a career in EU governance.
Flavia Onwuelo
Flavia is a third year student from the University of Trento in Comparative, European and International Legal Studies. Her academic path is strongly shaped by her Erasmus experience at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in France, where she deepened her focus on human rights, European governance, and migration studies while strengthening her linguistic and intercultural skills.
She has participated in international programmes such as the Model European Parliament and Model United Nations, which refined her analytical and diplomatic abilities. Active in ELSA and AIESEC, she contributes to student engagement and global-minded initiatives.
As an EST Ambassador, she is committed to promoting evidence-based debate, youth participation, and the core values of critical thinking, inclusivity, and European cooperation.
Nice – Alexandra-Maria Sima
Alexandra is a Master’s student in European Integration and Global Studies at CIFE, following an academic path across Germany, France, and Italy.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Japanese and Korean Studies from the University of Bucharest, where she developed a strong interest in the links between culture, identity, and global politics.
With over two years of volunteering experience both in Romania and abroad, she has been actively engaged in youth-led civic and international initiatives. After serving as Romania’s Ambassador to the European Student Think Tank, she now continues her involvement as an Ambassador throughout her Master’s mobility.
Her main interests lie in diplomacy, foreign affairs, and international cooperation.
Georgia
Ana Elikashvili
Ana is a second-year International Law student at Tbilisi State University with a strong interest in human rights and legal research. She is a member of the European Law Students’ Association (ELSA) Tbilisi, contributing to the Internal Management team and helping organize key projects such as ELSA Movie Night, Local Council Meetings, and the ELSA Freshers’ Camp.
Ana has presented her research at national student conferences, including focusing on state interference in human rights and the legal capacity of minors.
Beyond her academic work, she has participated in multiple moot courts and served as a delegate at Model United Nations simulations.
Germany
Letizia Bianchi
Letizia Bianchi is a double-degree Master’s student in Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz and in European Studies at the University of Gothenburg.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International and Diplomatic Affairs from the University of Bologna, during which she completed two Erasmus exchanges in Germany and Poland that strengthened her intercultural skills and interest in European governance.
She has experience in public relations and youth diplomacy, having taken part in several Model EU simulations and serving as PR Associate for MEU Berlin 2026 as well as an EUniWell Mobility Ambassador.
As EST Ambassador to Germany and Sweden, she aims to promote cross-country dialogue and accessible, evidence-based discussions on European policy, particularly in the fields of security and climate change.
Berlin – Alexandra-Maria Sima
Alexandra is a Master’s student in European Integration and Global Studies at CIFE, following an academic path across Germany, France, and Italy.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Japanese and Korean Studies from the University of Bucharest, where she developed a strong interest in the links between culture, identity, and global politics.With over two years of volunteering experience both in Romania and abroad, she has been actively engaged in youth-led civic and international initiatives.
After serving as Romania’s Ambassador to the European Student Think Tank, she now continues her involvement as an Ambassador throughout her Master’s mobility. Her main interests lie in diplomacy, foreign affairs, and international cooperation.
Greece
Athens – Maria-Ioanna (Margianna) Dritsa
Maria – Ioanna Dritsa holds a BA in Turkish Studies with a specialization in geopolitical analysis and is currently pursuing her Master’s in European Studies and Diplomacy. Her academic interests revolve around European external relations, peacebuilding, and diplomacy.
She has collaborated with significant institutions of international reach — including UNESCO Chairs, and European alliances— coordinating conferences and shaping events on human rights, peace and diplomacy.
She loves moderating international panels, fostering meaningful dialogue, and continuously learning with genuine curiosity.
Ireland
Jorge Ramos
From a Spanish background, Jorge was born and raised in Luxembourg. He now lives in Ireland where he is finishing his Bachelors’ degree in Political Science and Economics at Trinity College Dublin.
He is especially interested in the diplomatic, security, and defense fields applied to the Euro-Atlantic relations.
Dedicated to pursuing a future career in Luxembourgish diplomacy, he aspires to enhance the role this small but promising country has in international organizations like the European Union, NATO, or the UN.
Ella O’Connor
Ella is a second-year History and Politics student and a Laidlaw Women in Leadership Scholar committed to widening participation in third-level education through youth empowerment.
She has previously served on the National Youth Council of Ireland’s Young People’s Committee, focusing on economic inequality, financial injustice, and creating accessible political education resources. She also represented NYCI at the European Child and Youth Welfare Conference in Germany, highlighting the importance of smaller countries’ voices in EU discussions.
At the European level, Ella promotes youth political participation through Erasmus+ projects and volunteering with the European Solidarity Corps, including outreach in Sweden before the 2024 European Parliament elections. As an EST Ambassador, she hopes to strengthen small-state representation and widen access to politics.
Italy
Bologna – Eleonora Strano
Eleonora Strano (b. 1998) graduated with honours and academic distinction in Political Science and Comparative Institutions. During her Erasmus at the Université Catholique de Lille, she completed modules in International and Security Politics and Multilevel Governance in Europe; these experiences, together with her subsequently published thesis, shaped her interest in geopolitics, which she is further developing at the Limes School.
She is currently an OSINT Junior Analyst intern at IARI, has collaborated with a European think tank, and works with a German think tank as a writer on AI and cybersecurity. Precise and versatile, she aims to build a career in security, intelligence analysis, and geopolitical risk.
Martina Pesce
Martina is a 24-year-old who just graduated from her Master’s in International Cooperation at the University of Turin. She is interested in agroecology and food systems, topics she deepened thanks to her field research in Mexico about native maize and small scale agriculture. She participated in many exchanges which brought her to live between Italy, the Netherlands, Chile and Mexico.
As she continues her academic and professional journey, Martina aims to contribute to projects that combine sustainability, territorial knowledge, and social inclusion, fostering a deeper understanding of food sovereignty and biocultural diversity.
Rome – Eleonora BERTOLINI
Eleonora is a 21-year-old student from Rome, Italy. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Global Governance from the University of Tor Vergata, where she graduated with honors (110L) and actively contributed to fundraising initiatives for three consecutive years, also managing the program’s social media channels. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in International Relations at Luiss University in Rome.
She has a keen interest in youth participation and the phenomenon of security and democratic backsliding.
For the past three years, she has collaborated with Global Action, an Italian NGO dedicated to youth engagement, and since April she has been part of the External Relations department at Orizzonti Politici. She was recently awarded a full scholarship by the Italy–U.S. Foundation for the Master in Leadership for International Relations and Made in Italy.
Rome – Matteo Picariello
Matteo is a final-year Master’s student in International Relations at Sapienza University of Rome, after completing his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Naples “L’Orientale.” Growing up between languages and diverse viewpoints, he developed a curiosity for the world that now guides his engagement with global affairs and international dialogue.
Alongside his studies, Matteo has written on international and European law for MSOI The Post and contributed to the institutional communication team at CeSI – Centro Studi Internazionali, working across media monitoring, strategic content, and digital storytelling. These experiences strengthened his ability to navigate the intersection between policy, communication, and public understanding. His approach combines research and storytelling, with a commitment to clarity and depth in the study of international politics.
Flavia Onwuelo
Flavia is a third year student from the University of Trento in Comparative, European and International Legal Studies. Her academic path is strongly shaped by her Erasmus experience at the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in France, where she deepened her focus on human rights, European governance, and migration studies while strengthening her linguistic and intercultural skills.
She has participated in international programmes such as the Model European Parliament and Model United Nations, which refined her analytical and diplomatic abilities. Active in ELSA and AIESEC, she contributes to student engagement and global-minded initiatives.
As an EST Ambassador, she is committed to promoting evidence-based debate, youth participation, and the core values of critical thinking, inclusivity, and European cooperation.
Vani Mamgain
Vani Mamgain is a Master’s student in International Relations at the University of Bologna, with a particular focus on environmental politics, sustainability, and international cooperation. Originally from India, she is passionate about nature and driven to explore how global policies can address climate change while protecting communities and ecosystems.
Vani actively participates in workshops, conferences, and environmental initiatives, translating research into action.
Through her work, she aims to raise awareness about ecological and climate challenges and contribute to meaningful dialogue and sustainable solutions at the intersection of policy, research, and advocacy.
Rome – Alexandra-Maria Sima
Alexandra is a Master’s student in European Integration and Global Studies at CIFE, following an academic path across Germany, France, and Italy.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Japanese and Korean Studies from the University of Bucharest, where she developed a strong interest in the links between culture, identity, and global politics.
With over two years of volunteering experience both in Romania and abroad, she has been actively engaged in youth-led civic and international initiatives. After serving as Romania’s Ambassador to the European Student Think Tank, she now continues her involvement as an Ambassador throughout her Master’s mobility.
Her main interests lie in diplomacy, foreign affairs, and international cooperation.
Matteo Benedetti
Matteo Benedetti graduated in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Pisa and is completing a Master’s Degree in Global Management and Politics at LUISS Guido Carli in Rome .
He has been actively involved in civic and political initiatives, including volunteering during local election campaigns, contributing to youth-engagement projects and supporting public outreach activities . His experience also includes university radio broadcasting, where he ideated and hosted a weekly quiz show.
Alongside his political and civic involvement, he has worked in various professional settings and has a strong interest in European affairs, public policy and contemporary political dynamics.
Malena Carpico
After attending to school in France, she decided to study in UCC in Cork, Ireland to do a Bachelor of Arts International, majoring in European Studies and Politics.
There, she joined the Europa Society. The team went to the EYE 2025 in Strasbourg as organizers to present a workshop on the importance of democracy in the EU and the role of the EU to monitor member states. As part of her degree, she will be based in Italy for the year 2025/2026 at the University of Bologna, Forli Campus.
She is also part of the United Nations Students Association in Forli and hopes to come back to Europa UCC next year.
Rome – Paola Testa
Paola Testa is a Senior Analyst for the Defence and Security Desk at Istituto Analisi Relazioni Internazionali (IARI), where she previously collaborated for the Middle East and North Africa Desk.
Paola is an Events and Communications Officer at the Young Ambassadors Society (YAS), the official Italian youth engagement group to the G7 and G20.
She served as a YAS Y7 Observer (G7 Italy 2024) and as a YAS SB62 Delegate in preparation to COP30 (UNFCCC). Paola is a member of the European Student Think Tank, where she is serving her second mandate as the 2025 – 2026 Ambassador to Italy.
Paola is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in International Relations and European Studies. She can speak English, Italian, French, German, and Arabic.
Lithuania
Ilia Torkanievskyi
Ilia is a 20-year-old International Relations and Development student at LCC International University in Lithuania. Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, he experienced the realities of war firsthand, which motivated him to pursue a career in politics, diplomacy, and global peacebuilding. His academic journey has taken him from Lithuania to the United States, where he studied Political Science at Gordon College and worked as a journalist for The Tartan newspaper. He currently serves as a Student Ambassador at LCC International University and represents the institution at the Change the World Model United Nations.
His academic and professional interests lie in security studies, diplomacy, and conflict resolution. Through his coursework and international experiences, Ilia has explored topics such as European security, post-war reconstruction, and the role of international institutions in maintaining peace. Passionate about human rights, defense policy, and youth participation in global affairs, Ilia aims to contribute to shaping more secure, democratic, and cooperative international relations.
Hayrunnisa Celik
Originally from Turkey, Hayrunnisa Çelik studied Bachelor’s studies in Law and Global Security at Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius.
Having lived in 6 countries, Hayrunnisa has an interesting and international background that helps her contribute to the work she does. She has a strong interest in the human rights field, which is why she did her internship at the Human Rights Monitoring Institute.
For the general part her work focuses on the rights of migrants – she is also passionate about reducing inequalities for migrants all across the world. Hayrunnisa is extremely pleased to be an Ambassador to Lithuania and encourages young people to be proactive and seek solutions to global issues.
Malta
Megan Abdilla
Megan Abdilla is completing a B.Sc. in Chemistry at the University of Malta. Alongside her scientific studies, she has been actively engaged in activism, global affairs, public dialogue, and youth participation, taking part in diplomacy-focused initiatives including the Model European Parliament, Model United Nations, and the 2023 Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship.
Although her academic path is rooted in the sciences, she believes that effective policy and diplomacy thrive on interdisciplinary perspectives. She aims to make scientific knowledge more accessible while contributing an evidence-based approach to youth issues and global challenges.
Megan looks forward to strengthening the EST’s presence in Malta by fostering collaboration, promoting informed debate, and ensuring meaningful youth representation in European policy conversations.
The Netherlands
The Hague – Anouk Laurian
Anouk is a 20 year-old French and German student. Currently pursuing a BSc in International Relations and Organizations at Leiden University, she is passionate about global affairs – especially humanitarian issues. Having moved eight times and lived in various different countries, she strongly identifies with the European values of peace, freedom, cooperation and cultural diversity.
As the ambassador to The Hague, Netherlands, Anouk hopes to foster meaningful dialogue among students in the Netherlands and bring them closer to European institutions.
Groningen – Pasquale Dattola
He holds a BA in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Trento, and is currently pursuing the Erasmus Mundus Master’s Joint Degree ”Euroculture” in European Studies at the University of Groningen and the University of Strasbourg.
This international path, which included an Erasmus+ semester in Frankfurt during his Bachelor’s studies, has fostered a strong international profile and enabled him to become proficient in English, French, and German.
His primary fields of interest include EU policymaking and external action, and he aims to pursue a career in EU governance.
Spain
Madrid – Joppe Doms
Joppe Doms is a 20 year old Student pursuing the Joint Bachelor of European Studies in Leuven. He will be majoring in European Public Law at UCM and minoring in Foreign Policy at KU Leuven.
He is involved in multiple ‘magazine’ initiatives taking up the roles of both writer and editor-in-chief and he has a history as Event Organisr for the Student Initiative Historia. Furthermore, Joppe also has a seat at the Youth Council of Leuven, representing the cities youth in all related affairs.
Gracia María Pérez Vico
Gracia María Pérez Vico is a Spanish graduate in European Interdisciplinary Studies from the College of Europe in Natolin, where she specialised in EU external relations and received the awards for the Best Master Thesis and for Outstanding Research in European Neighbourhood Studies.
She also holds a double degree in Translation and Interpretation (German and French) and International Relations from Pablo de Olavide University, graduating with the best academic record of her cohort.
She has experience in translation, interpretation, project assistance, and is actively engaged in youth and community initiatives.
Sweden
Letizia Bianchi
Letizia Bianchi is a double-degree Master’s student in Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz and in European Studies at the University of Gothenburg.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International and Diplomatic Affairs from the University of Bologna, during which she completed two Erasmus exchanges in Germany and Poland that strengthened her intercultural skills and interest in European governance.
She has experience in public relations and youth diplomacy, having taken part in several Model EU simulations and serving as PR Associate for MEU Berlin 2026 as well as an EUniWell Mobility Ambassador.
As EST Ambassador to Germany and Sweden, she aims to promote cross-country dialogue and accessible, evidence-based discussions on European policy, particularly in the fields of security and climate change.
Switzerland
Daniele Parini
He is a dynamic graduate who enjoys playing chess, skiing, and biking, with a fervent passion for startups and venture capital, particularly deep-tech and fashion-tech investment opportunities. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Finance at HEC Lausanne, he was selected to participate in the Lucerne European Economic Forum 2025.
His experience spans startup ecosystems and investment analysis. He is also researching dual-use technologies and responsible innovation through the CROSS project for his master’s thesis.