Mediterranean Sustainability Partners (Ellen Wasylina )

Interview with COO of Helvetia Education Group, SA, Dr. Gabriel DEUTOU, a cross-cultural executive.

Recorded on July 22, 2021

3 segments : 

1) Life as a teacher for the last 15 years (from K12 to Executive students) to +30 institutes on 3 continents (Europe - Africa - North America)

2) Life as an entrepreneur since 2018 as Managing Director of DTN Europe (Deutou Teaching Network SAS) a on-demand staffing placement agency now providing Academic engineering and teaching contractors in France / Morocco including Program Dean.

3) Life as an Innovative EdTech COO since 2020 with Helvetia Education Group SA, and the deployment of Helvetia Connect SaaS, the 1st cloud-based on-demand staffing solution for Higher Ed.

Segment 1 : Why Green Transition is so important for Europe and we we need to talk about it ; What are the challenges ? What needs to be done ? Segment 2 : Unlocking the Potential of Central and Eastern Europe: A Focus on the Green Transition Forum – why is it important ? Addressing Challenges and Accelerating Progress; The Role of the Green Transition Forum Segment 3 : The Role of the Green Transition Forum; Who is coming ? The key stakeholders ; What are the key discussions on the agenda ? Conclusions Biography of Monika Stanisheva : Monika Stanisheva, currently serving as Chair of the Board at Bulgaria's premier digital publisher, Dir.bg, boasts over three decades of experience in the media and communications realm. Her illustrious journey commenced as a news reporter at Bulgarian National TV, where she honed her craft before venturing into entrepreneurship, establishing her own marketing and communication agency, Active Group. Mrs. Stanisheva stands as the visionary founder and President of the Organizational Committee of the Green Transition Forum, a prestigious annual conference dedicated to fostering green transformation across Central and Eastern Europe, hosted in Sofia, Bulgaria. As an entrepreneur she navigated the challenges of launching a business in Eastern Europe, offering her unique perspective on the hurdles faced by women in the region. With a background steeped in journalism, she harbors a deep-seated appreciation for amplifying diverse voices and championing noble causes. Mrs. Stanisheva influence extends beyond the boardroom; she actively participates as an Angel investor and serves on the Steering Committee of the Bulgarian Innovation Forum. Recognized as one of the 50 most influential women Angel investors in the Central and Eastern European region by The Recursive media, she ardently advocates for female entrepreneurship and sustainability initiatives. As a Member of the European Sounding Board of Innovations, Monika contributes to shaping the innovation landscape in Europe by providing insights and expertise on emerging trends and technologies. Monika Stanisheva is also proud to be a Board Member of the European Female Forum, where she advocates for gender equality and empowerment in business and leadership. By championing diversity and inclusion, she strives to create opportunities for women to thrive and succeed in all aspects of their professional lives. Her academic credentials include a Master's degree in Economics from the University of National and World Economy (Sofia) and a Master's degree in Journalism from Sofia University. Beyond her professional endeavors, Monika is a devoted mother of four.

On this 76th anniversary of United Nations Day on October 24, 2021, Ellen Wasylina calls World leaders to action to embrace Sustainable Diplomacy & Leadership in line with the 17 UN SDGs.

Interview with Dr. Ruby Makhija, a trained ophthalmologist, but who has transitioned to dedicating her time to waste management and eliminating

single use plastic (SUP).

Here are the 3 segments of the podcast :

1. Her Journey from A medical doctor to Waste Management 

2. Plastic: From A Miracle to A Menace

3. Key solutions 

Here are some highlights of her actions in this space :

* Ophthalmologist. Has been working with Charitable Hospitals as a Senior Consultant/Clinical Head.

* Founder and Director, Why Waste Wednesdays Foundation that is focussed on Waste Management and other Environmental and Social issues.

* Founder, Aastha Charitable Trust

* Member, City Level Task force for Implementation of Plastic Waste Management Rules, Municipal Corporation of Delhi

* Co-Chairperson, Environment Committee, Inner Wheel Club District 301 with 90 clubs and over 5000 members

* Fellow, Swachhta Saarthi Fellowship under Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India

* Chairperson, Local Committee, South Revenue District (District Magistrate, South) against Sexual Harassment at Workplace

* Secretary, Navjiwan RWA for the last 6 years

* Social Activist – She is a member of many activist groups that are striving for a better governance system in Delhi, gender and racial equality, justice, environment protection etc.

* TEDx Speaker (Two times)

* Earth Day Network Star

* Brand Ambassador, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Swachh Survekshan 2023

Bienvenue à tous nos auditeurs marocains! Le Maroc est 4e de notre classement d’auditeurs après les Etats-Unis, France, Grande Bretagne, des 38  pays et aux 4 continents où est écouté notre podcast! Merci de votre fidélité!

Voici les 3 segments de ce podcast :

Segment 1 : Bilan des 22 ans de règne de Sa Majesté Mohammed VI : un système monétaire et financier plus robuste qu’il n’y parait

Segment 2 : le crowd-funding : une forme privilégiée de mobilisation de l’intelligence collective du public”

Segment 3 : Confiance est clé comme mécanisme de gouvernance entre le VC et les managers des sociétés de VC au Maroc.

La biographie de Professeur Slimane Ed-Dafali :

Slimane ED-DAFALI est Professeur en sciences de gestion à l’Ecole Nationale de Commerce et de Gestion d’El Jadida, Université Chouaib DOUKKALI. Il est affilié au Laboratoire d’Etudes et de Recherches en Sciences Economiques et de Management (LERSEM). Il a préparé sa thèse de doctorat au Laboratoire LaREFA de l’ENCG d’Agadir.

Slimane ED-DAFALI a enseigné à l'université IBN ZOHR puis à l'université Chouaib DOUKKALI. Actuellement, il assure l'enseignement de cours liés à l’ingénierie financière, à l'entrepreneuriat, au management de projet et à la gestion des risques financiers.

Ses travaux sur le capital-investissement et la gouvernance d’entreprise sont publiés dans de nombreuses revues académiques marocaines et internationales au comité de lecture ou internationales indexées.

Ses travaux de recherche actuels portent sur le capital-investissement, l’entrepreneuriat, la gouvernance, la performance et la croissance des Jeunes entreprises innovantes. Il est membre du Comité de lecture de plusieurs revues internationales. Il est également membre de L'Association Académique Internationale de Gouvernance (AAIG).

L'article cité dans le segment Introduction  : www.libreentreprise.ma, Edition Spéciale, Fête du Trône, n° 33, juillet-août 2021

Warm holiday greetings from us to you as we recap our guests on the podcast in 14 episodes in English and French, now heard in 61 countries and 5 continents.

Episode 11 : “Blockchain et Bitcoin : une révolution numérique aux portes du monde arabe"

 “Sustainable Leadership & Diplomacy” Day, Paris, December 9, 2021 Morning Session : Sustainable Investment et infrastructure, modéré par Ellen Wasylina 10h  Panel 1 : Sustainable strategic Investments for the future Dr. Rebel Hanna, CEO, Dexter Capital Risk Management Services : “Investments in the coming years?” Anna Koj, Managing Director Brussels, Mavence, “Strategic recruitment as investment into sustainable management” 11h  Panel 2 : Energy is the key to Sustainable cities and infrastructure Dr. Pr. Zoubeir Lafhaj, Chair Construction 4.0, Ecole Centrale Lille, “Construction 4.0 dans le monde et liens avec l’économie circulaire” Tristan Mocilnikar, Ministère de l'Energie et Environnement, “Hydrogène vert” Rachad Itani, Chairman, Fuel Cell Innovations Co. (FCI), "Circular Carbon Economy : an integrated approach” Caner Can, Energy Advisor, Energy Department, Deputy Directorate General for Energy and Multilateral Transportation Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Smart Energy Transition: A Turkish Perspective on the New Energy Order” Jean-Paul Pancracio, Professeur émérite, “Les biens communs à la recherche d’un statut juridique” Afternoon Session : Communautés résiliantes et durables, modéré par Ellen Wasylina 14h30  Panel 3 : Le dialogue interculturel et durable Special video message by Zeina Barhoum from Amman, Jordan Julia Lagahuzère, Directrice Générale, Opera for Peace, “la Diplomatie culturelle” Jean-Claude Fontanive, Président de NextSee, professeur Management interculturel, IPAG Business School, “Le Dialogue citoyen interculturel” François Mabille, Secrétaire Général de la Fédération internationale des universités catholiques, professeur de relations internationales, EPHE-CNRS, ""Le religieux comme sous-catégorie de la diplomatie culturelle : enjeux et diversité des pratiques”

This is a very special Podcast episode : my speech on Zero Waste at a side event at the G20, on the kind invitation of the Directorate of Communications of the Turkish presidency. As a former director of Environment of a French city from 2008-2011, I was happy to share my expertise in three parts : 1) Recycling 2) Economic And Social Governance (ESG) 3) a sustainable Business model is necessary

Trois segments : Segment 1 : Musique, lien d’humanité, pilier éducationnel Segment 2 : Musique, atout diplomatique, pont entre les peuples Segment 3 : Musique et Culture, fondements du devenir « Européen » Biographie de Jorge Chaminé Président-fondateur du Centre Européen de Musique Baryton applaudi sur les plus grandes scènes de Moscou à New York, de Reykjavik à Rio de Janeiro, Jorge Chaminé est aussi un pédagogue confirmé qui donne régulièrement des master-classes en Europe, au Canada, au Brésil et aux États-Unis. Ambassadeur de la fondation Music in ME (Music in Middle East), Jorge Chaminé est aussi membre permanent du Board of directors de Music for Peace, organisme qui lui a décerné en 2011 la distinction de Premier Musicien pour la Paix. En 2018 il est promu au grade d’Officier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres par le Ministre de la Culture et reçoit en 2019 la Médaille Grand Vermeil de la Ville de Paris. Jorge Chaminé a également été nommé ambassadeur pour la Paix et la Justice des 17 «Objectifs 2030 NOW» des Nations Unies en 2019. Jorge Chaminé est le fondateur et président du Centre Européen de Musique (CEM), un lieu de rencontre entre arts, humanités, sciences et générations. Il s’implantera à Bougival (Yvelines, France) à l’horizon 2024. Le CEM célèbre ainsi la musique en tant que langage universel, au cœur de l’identité européenne et de ses valeurs humanistes. https://cemusique.org/

This episode will look at the Changing landscape of Energy security in :  Segment 1 : Ukraine and the Black Sea Segment 2 : Turkey and the Mediterranean Sea Segment 3 : Africa Bio : Julian Popov is a Fellow of the European Climate Foundation, Chairman of the Building Performance Institute Europe and Former Minister of Environment of Bulgaria. He was the good will Bulgarian Ambassador for energy and climate policy and energy security adviser to the President of Bulgaria. Julian is member of the European Council of Foreign Relations, the Advisory Board of Climate KIC and the boards of several other energy and climate related organisations. He is the founding Vice Chancellor and current Board Member of the New Bulgarian University and cofounder of the Tunisian School of Politics. Julian was voted as one of the 40 most influential voices on European energy policies (N24) and also as one of the 40 most influential voices in the European energy efficiency policies (N25) by EurActiv. His articles on European and energy policy have been published by Financial Times, Project Syndicate, NS Energy Monitor, The Independent, Al Jazeera, Huffington Post, EurActive and others. He is author of two books and co-author of the books « The European Supergrid » and « Energy and Climate Diplomacy ». He lives in London with his family.

Segment 1 : Post-US elections discussion

Segment 2 : Foreign reaction to post-election results and U.S. Foreign policy implications 

Segment 3 : U.S.-China competition

Rachael Rudolph Biography

Dr. Rachael M. Rudolph currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Social Science and researcher for a joint program between Bryant University and the Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai Campus, China. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Counterterrorism at Nichols College in the United States. Asia has been her home for more than ten years, with China as her base since 2018.

Between 2002 and 2013, Dr. Rudolph focused on counterterrorism, mobilization of violent and non-violent actors, refugees, and human rights in the MENA region. Her fieldwork during this period took her to the United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Egypt, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia.

From 2014 to 2017, she focused primarily on Indo-Pacific region. Her projects during these years included strategic security in ASEAN, human trafficking, drug trafficking, the conflict in Myanmar, and North Korea. While based in Thailand, her fieldwork took her to Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, India, South Korea, and Nigeria.

Since moving to Zhuhai, China in 2018, her research has largely focused on U.S.-China military and security cooperation and China’s engagement with the Global South. She is presently working on a new book titled “The Nexus: Human Insecurity, Symbolic Violence and Power Politics in Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger,” while also working on a range of other projects encompassing the green transition, social instability, and AI governance and education across the Global South.

Here is our interview with Bozhidara Zhivkova , Editor in Chief

of ESGnews.bg.

Here is her short bio : Bozhidara Zhivkova is the Editor-in-Chief of ESGnews.bg, the first media platform dedicated to promoting ESG in Bulgaria. In this role, she focuses on raising awareness of ESG regulations, best practices, innovation, and sustainable leadership that contribute to shaping a more sustainable and responsible business environment. She graduated from the ESG Academy at the Faculty of Economics of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski." She is also a contributor to Dir.bg, where she writes about the Green Transition Forum, the largest forum in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) for green transformation, and conducts interviews with participants in the forum. Before focusing on green topics, she was the Editor-in-Chief of the lifestyle website Oshte.bg, Editor-in-Chief of Economic.bg, and a contributor to Economy Magazine.

Intro : This is a special Women’s Day podcast, celebrating, saluting women I admire , who have inspired me and others, to join me in a 15 minute segment (English and French) to speak about their work as professionals in different sectors of the economy.

Bio : Professeur associé invité à l'Université de la Défense nationale "Carol I", Faculté de sécurité et de défense, Département des opérations multinationales, études stratégiques et de sécurité. European Diplômé de Master en sciences militaires et de l'information, Curriculum « Crisis Management and Conflict Prevention, "Carol I" National Defense University, Bucarest, promotion 2013. Thèse de doctorat dans le domaine de l'information et de la sécurité nationale, Université de la défense nationale "Carol I", Bucarest, 2013-2016, complétée par la soutenance de la thèse de doctorat "Evolution des stratégies euro-atlantiques pour la prévention et la gestion des conflits dans l'après-guerre froide période ».

Here are the 3 Segments of the interview : 1) Past lessons learned or not in Afghanistan 2) Rough transition period and what's at stake. 3) Way forward and choices/opportunities & region/great powers role. Bio of Ambassador Samad: Omar Samad is a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center. He is also the founder and president of Silkroad Consulting, LLC. Prior to joining the Atlantic Council, Samad was a senior Afghan expert in-residence with the Center for Conflict Management at the US Institute of Peace from January 2012 to January 2013. He also served as Ambassador of Afghanistan to France from 2009 to 2011 and Ambassador to Canada from 2004 to 2009. Samad was the former spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul and Director General, Information and Media Divisions from 2001 to 2004. He also served as an advisor and speech-writer to the foreign minister, and as a member of the ministry’s reform committee. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s he advocated for freedom and democracy in Afghanistan. As founder of the Afghanistan Information Center, in 1996 he launched Azadi Afghan Radio and its website based in Virginia. He has been a contributor to Afghan and international media since the 1980s and has published in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Afghanistan. He is a founding member and advisor to the online platform Afghan Analytica, a member of the US-Afghan Women’s Council, on the advisory boards of The Kitson, the Fletcher School’s MENASA advisory group, the Afghan Higher Education Student e-Mentoring Program, and Initiative to Educate Afghan Women. Samad holds an MA in International Affairs from Tufts University. He is fluent in English, French, and Dari-Farsi, and proficient in Pashto. Source : Atlantic Council

Le 1er forum du réseau Pacte Mondial des Nations Unies en Tunisie s’est tenu le jeudi 9 juin 2022 à l’hôtel Mövenpick Berges du Lac. Cet évènement intitulé « UN PACTE MONDIAL ET LOCAL POUR LA LUTTE CONTRE LE CHANGEMENT CLIMATIQUE », qui à rassemblé plus de 150 personnes, incluant les représentants des organismes membres du réseau, de futurs membres, et des partenaires stratégiques (membres du gouvernement tunisien et d’organes publics, d’organismes des Nations Unies...) et était axé sur la thématique de la lutte contre le changement climatique dans le contexte actuel en Tunisie et dans le monde, avec des sujets de discussion sur la CDN et le Green Deal européen entre autres, sur la participation à l’atteinte des Objectifs de Développement Durable (n°13 en particulier), avec des partages d’expériences et des opportunités de partenariat.   Segment 1: pourquoi ce forum, pourquoi maintenant?  Segment 2 : les instruments, le cadre des accords de Paris, le Green Deal, l’objectif 13 des SDG; les challenges? Segment 3 : perspectives et conclusions  Bio de Leila Abbassi :  Actuellement directrice exécutive du réseau UN Global Compact Tunisia, Leila a géré auparavant les activités du site industriel principal du groupe SFBT (600 personnes, 2 millions d’hectolitres de ventes), groupe leader du secteur des boissons et de la distribution en Tunisie, ainsi que les démarches d’innovation et de responsabilité sociétale du groupe, entre autres fonctions et missions. Elle a également construit et fait évoluer pendant plus de 20 ans un système de management intégré et certifié à de multiples reprises, et conduit des audits de systèmes de management ainsi que des audits de fournisseurs en Tunisie et à l’étranger. Coach professionnelle, facilitatrice en design thinking et gestion de projets, elle a contribué à la constitution, l’accompagnement, le mentorat de plusieurs équipes et poursuit cette même approche dans le cadre de ses activités au sein du réseau UN Global Compact Tunisia.

Intro : This is a special Women’s Day podcast, celebrating, saluting women I admire , who have inspired me and others, to join me in a 15 minute segment (English and French) to speak about their work as professionals in different sectors of the economy.

Bio : Ismahane is a lecturer at Sciences and Technology University of Bab Ezzouar, Algiers (Algeria) since December 2011. She prepared a thesis in earth Sciences; the aim of the subject is to characterize gold deposit in the southern part of Algeria. She is a member at the Laboratory magmatism and metallogeny of Algeria and a lecturer at USTHB University. She is also member of SGA (Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits), and co-organizer of the SGA-IUGS-SEG-UNESCO Short Course on African Metallogeny

Before joining the university, she worked as a design engineer at the ORGM (office de recherche en géologie minière) during the period 2006-2008 and as an engineer and project manager at the geological survey of Algeria between 2008 and 2011.

She has participated in several international seminars, congress and workshops in order to enrich her knowledge in mining exploration and identify new methods of analysis in minerals and rocks like petrology, mineralogy and geochemistry.

Episode 8 : THE HORN OF AFRICA Gateway to geostrategic power rivalries

Voici le trailer du premier épisode de la Saison 2.

Notre discussion est en 3 parties : climat et sécurité, la guerre en Ukraine, le secteur privé dans les Relations internationales

c’est le premier épisode de 2025 avec Marie-Hélène Hirtz, en trois parties :

1-UNE FEMME ENGAGEE ET VOLONTAIRE

2-    MA PARENTHESE CHINOISE

3-  MA VIE APRES SHANGHAI

Voici sa biographie :

Marie-Hélène Hirtz, enseignante, consultante RH, coach et psychopraticienne, a travaillé en entreprise, association, université et en free-lance. Au cours de sa carrière, elle a accompagné des publics variés de tous âges et origines. Après plusieurs déménagements en France, elle a vécu 9 ans à Shanghai, où elle a d’abord présidé une association en collaboration avec le Consulat général de France puis créé une entreprise dédiée à promouvoir la culture française et à aider les jeunes Chinois dans leur mobilité. Diplômée en psychologie, sciences de l’éducation et ressources humaines, elle se passionne pour l’accompagnement des personnes, les aidant à révéler leur potentiel et à s’épanouir.

Meet Chris Rammouz, a young Lebanese entrepreneur, founder of ModLab, a virtual platform for getting together in  a hybrid space. 

ModLab was our partner for our first Sustainable Leadership & Diplomacy Day in Paris (on line) on December 9, 2021.  Chris will speak to us about his beginnings, his education and career and how he came to found ModLab, a virtual platform, that provided us with a hybrid experience for our very special day!

Website : www.modlab.gg  

Email : chris@modlab.gg

Podcast audio Titre: Agilité face à l'inconfort, le Népal en inspiration !  Après 5 ans au Népal pour créer et faire grandir une organisation qui soutient l'insertion professionnelle et sociale de jeunes femmes en situation de grande exclusion, Pauline est de retour en France. Elle accompagne et forme aujourd'hui les organisations qui souhaitent s'entraîner à gérer des évènements surprenants qui viennent déséquilibrer leurs équipes. 

In this episode, Ambassador Shota Gvineria will update us on the current situation in Georgia and give us some background on its relations with Russia and Ukraine, territorial integrity, its desire to join the EU and the rise of populism in Europe , that may explain how Georgia got on its current path. Biography of our guest : Amb. Shota Gvineria joined the Baltic Defence College as the lecturer in Defence and Cyber Studies in July of 2019. He is also a non-resident fellow at the Economic Policy Research Center since 2017. Earlier, Amb. Gvineria has been working on various positions in Georgia’s public sector. Among other positions, Shota Gvineria served as the Deputy Secretary at the National Security Council of Georgia. He covered NATO’s integration and security policy related issues as the Ambassador at Large in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. In his previous capacity until August 2016, he held the position of the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Minister of Defense of Georgia. Through 2010-14, he served as the Ambassador of Georgia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 2010, Amb. Gvineria waspromoted to the position of a Director of European Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. Prior to that, in he served as a Head of NATO Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. In the period from April 2006 until October 2008, Shota Gvineria was posted as the Counselor of the Georgian Mission to NATO. Amb. Gvineria holds MA in Strategic Security Studies from Washington’s National Defense University. He also earned his MA in International Relations from the Diplomatic School of Madrid and Public Administration from the Georgian Technical University.

Ellen Wasylina will be moderating a discussion in the series of interviews scheduled with Dr. Stephen Blank.  This time Dr. Katarzyna Zyk will be joining the discussion on this very important topic.

The subject of this discussion is "Preserving the Arctic : Our Last Frontier" and took place on February 23, 16h CET/10h EST.  

Here are the speakers' bios : 

Dr Katarzyna ZYSK is Professor of International Relations and Contemporary History at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies (IFS), which is a part of the Norwegian Defence University College (NDUC) in Oslo. She has been at the IFS since 2007. Currently, she serves as Deputy Director (since 2017) and Head of the Cetnre for Security, and was Director of Research at the IFS (2017–19). Prof. Zysk was a Visiting Scholar at the Center for International Security and Cooperation/Stanford University and a Visiting Research Fellow at the Changing Character of War Centre/ University of Oxford (2016–17). She is a member of the Hoover Institution’s Arctic Security Initiative and was a Research Fellow at the Center for Naval Warfare Studies/Strategic Research Department at the US Naval War College, where she also cooperated closely with the War Gaming Department. In 2016, she was Acting Dean of the NDUC, where she also teaches regularly.

Following her PhD on NATO enlargement (2006), Prof. Zysk’s research has focused on security, defence and strategic studies, in particular Russia’s military strategy, warfare, the Russian Navy, geopolitics and maritime security in the Arctic, as well as military change and defence innovation. Her published research has appeared in SAIS Review of International Affairs, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Journal of Strategic Studies, Asia Policy, RUSI Journal, Politique Etrangère, International Relations, Jane’s Navy International, and others, including in books published by Cambridge and Oxford University Presses.

Dr. Stephen BLANK is an internationally recognized expert on Russian foreign and defense policies and international relations across the former Soviet Union.  He is also a leading expert on European and Asian security, including energy issues.  Since 2020 he has been a Senior Expert for Russia at the U.S. Institute of Peace and a Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute (http://www.fpri.org) .  From 2013-2020 he was a Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council (https://www.afpc.org ).  From 1989-2013 he was a Professor of Russian National Security Studies at the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania.  Dr. Blank has been Professor of National Security Affairs at the Strategic Studies Institute since 1989.  In 1998-2001 he was Douglas MacArthur Professor of Research at the War College.

Our guest is Gustav Magnusson , who will present his new book , entitled « Keynote Conversations  - 100 Interviews for Reinventing the City » is a collection of 100 interviews with urban experts from around the world. The book has been described as "a Pecha-Kucha urban planning festival in book form" and includes city directors from cities such as Toronto, Nuuk (Greenland), Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, Melbourne, and Copenhagen, advisors to mayors in Paris, Sydney, and London, and professors from Harvard, UNESCO, and the London School of Economics. Renowned experts such as Alejandro Aravena, Carlos Moreno, and Finn Williams are also featured. Through the book, the author asks the experts about the challenges today's cities face, the attitude we need to address them, how to manage urgent issues, how to create urban visions, take action, and ultimately envision the futures of our living environments. But is it really the future we are looking for? Or are we perhaps searching for ourselves? Here is the bio of the author: Gustav Magnusson is an urban planner, FPR/MSA, certified EU-Urbact expert, board advisor, and founder of the urban planning studio For Elize in Malm®, Greater Copenhagen, Sweden. He has lived and worked in seven countries across twelve cities and has led and advised international teams in early complex urban planning for prominent architectural firms in Europe. In 2024, he was awarded the Europe 40 Under 40 prize, highlighting Europe's most promising young architects and designers. He is a keynote speaker and the third generation in a family of architects and journalists. With a passion for showcasing the diversity of ideas and perspectives within urban planning, he hopes to inspire new ways of thinking about the environments where we spend our lives together.

Intro : This is a special Women’s Day podcast, celebrating, saluting women I admire , who have inspired me and others, to join me in a 15 minute segment (English and French) to speak about their work as professionals in different sectors of the economy.

Bio : Adria is the founder of The Vine Global Impact. Her background builds on diverse experience working with family offices, government leaders and philanthropists worldwide. Her career started in Chicago as a futures and foreign exchange broker at the Board of Trade. In 2009 she moved to Singapore spending 10 years working across the region. It was there that she shifted her career into private wealth management and joined Coutts & Co. While in Asia she also created her own beverage company 108 Tea which she later exited. After moving back West, Adria was a financial advisor for Morgan Stanley and has since left to run The Vine Global Impact. In her spare time, Adria enjoys being a bridge for philanthropic causes, and considers herself ‘charity agnostic’, she loves all things equestrian, and is a writer. Her mission is to inspire hope the world and to create connections for cultural diplomacy so that societies can grow together and not apart.

website : https://www.thevine.earth

Preview of Episode 10

Segment 1 : Dr Hanna gives us the big picture, the historical context behind Lebanon‘s current declining political, economic and social situation, compounded by rampant corruption and a weak national défense. 

Segment 2 : what are the result of the recent presidential election? What has to change?

Segment 3 : 3 solutions proposed 

Short biography of Dr, Rebel Hanna : Chairman of Mantra Tourus Group (OOO, UO, Holding), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dexter Capital Risk Management Services L.L.C., BoD member of JHT SARL, entrepreneur with 30+ years of professional experience in the International Business Development, Commercial, Investment, Corporate and Private Banking industry.  Dr. Rebel Hanna served as well as Deputy General Manager at Invest Bank – UAE, Managing Director of the unique Investment Bank in Lebanon specialized in Securitization; he was managing the First SPVs in the MENA region and the First ABCP Conduit. Prior to that, he occupied different Senior Managerial Positions in the banking industry.

segment 1 Meet the designers of the AMAR pop-up upcycled, vintage Sustainable Fashion expo, who introduce themselves in this first segment

Here is the vidéo version of the Davos Debrief #1 with Christian Schmitz and Joerg Geier .

This is the first in a séries of conversations with collègues and guests who attended the annual World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland from January 15-19, 2024.

Here below are the biographies of the first two guests in this Davos Debrief #1, with Christian Schmitz and Joerg Geier , partners of the PDIE Group, who organised a luncheon on January 17 entitled : «Planetary Health and Energy Security : the Contribution of AI and digitisation ».

Christian Schmitz : After a corporate career in large multinationals such as Bayer, BASF, Henkel and the German SME hulsta furniture, he established his boutique consulting firm Aventa to bridge Japan and Europe. Various experiences in the startup world, investing in startups as well as running a global organization. Finally, he founded the PDIE to build his own global network of purpose driven entrepreneurs. Website : https://pdiegroup.com 

Joerg Geier is a partner at PDIE Group, an agency offering consulting, research, and ecosystem building services in the areas of sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship. As a Director of Executive Education and Sustainability Programs at Thunderbird School of Global Management, Joerg merges his extensive experience in sustainable innovation, capacity building and ecosystem development. 

Joerg has lived and worked in the Silicon Valley, Cambridge (UK), and Berlin, Germany, clusters known for their entrepreneurial approach. This experience has shaped his dedication to the support of sustainable innovations. 

He is also co-founder and program chair of the Arts & Nature Social Club, a members' club whose mission it is to sensitize leaders to planetary challenges. Other roles were at Cambridge University’s Judge Business School and Santa Clara University’s Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship.

As a Fulbright scholar and member and former Deputy Secretary General of the Club of Rome, Joerg’s thinking is characterized by purpose, impact, and systems design. (https://joerggeier.com)

Here is the first interview for International Women’s Day, which we are celebrating with a group of inspiring women on this March 8, 2024. Dr. Suay Acaikalin spoke very eloquently about how vulnerable Women are in the face of climate change. Here is a short bio of Dr. Acaikalin :

This is a very special episode of the podcast, as I interview two of my former students in Sustainability in the Fashion industry at IESA Arts and Culture School Raj Rathod, who was the curator of the exhibit/pop-up in Paris from November 8-10 , and who will introduce the concept of the AMAR exhibit, the backstory, and tell us about the group of multicultural designers, notably, with Hayford Okyere , known to friends as “Juice”. Segment 1 : Introduction to the 2 designers Segment 2 : Concept of the AMAR show Segment 3 : what’s next ?

This is a very special U.S. elections podcast, in cooperation with the Trocadéro Forum and Mediterranean Sustainability Partners. with experts weighing in from their regions . Here are their biographies :

Nurşin Ateşoğlu Güney graduated in Political Science from State University College in 1979 and earned her MA (1985) and PhD (1992) in International Relations from Istanbul University. She has held various academic roles at Marmara University and is now affiliated with the National Intelligence Academy. Additionally, she is a security and nuclear energy expert at the Bilge Adamlar Center for Strategic Studies. Prof. Güney has authored numerous works on the Middle East, U.S. foreign policy, security studies, and more.

Rebel Hanna is the Chairman of Mantra Tourus Group (OOO, Holding), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dexter Capital Risk Management Services L.L.C., BoD member of JHT SARL, entrepreneur with 35+ years of professional experience in the International Business Development, Commercial, Investment, Corporate and Private Banking industry. Dr. Rebel Hanna served as well as Deputy General Manager at a reputable Bank in the UAE, Managing Director of the unique Investment Bank in Lebanon specialized in Securitization; he was managing the First SPVs in the MENA region and the First ABCP Conduit. Prior to that, he occupied different Senior Managerial Positions in the banking industry. In addition to his professional profile, Dr. Rebel Hanna is Lecturer at different reputable universities and speaker in International Conferences. He is as well researcher in Management Sciences, Geopolitics and Geoeconomics.

Omar Samad is a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center. He is also the founder and president of Silkroad Consulting, LLC. Prior to joining the Atlantic Council, Samad was a senior Afghan expert in-residence with the Center for Conflict Management at the US Institute of Peace from January 2012 to January 2013. He also served as Ambassador of Afghanistan to France from 2009 to 2011 and Ambassador to Canada from 2004 to 2009.

We continue this series with a new interview with Ingrid Anderson, who gave a keynote speech at our luncheon in Davos on January 17, entitled «Planetary Health and Energy Security : contributions of AI and digitisation ». Here is a short biography for Ingrid Andersson : Ingrid Andersson: Vice President Global Forum and Senior Partner, IKED, is a senior business executive, analyst, and serial entrepreneur. Vice President of the Global Forum, a think tank and biennial event addressing the issues and challenges of the digital society. She serves as senior associate and board member of IKED, Sweden, and a member of the OECD MENA Women Business Forum. For more than 20 years, Ingrid engaged in the development of “zero-emission” cities and vibrant local community development. With Japanese partners, she established the "Swedish Ecovillage", Nagoya, Japan. She holds an Executive MBA from HEC Paris with a major in Differentiation and Innovation through Services, has published widely and been a key-note speaker at multiple conferences and international events.

Interview avec Serge Stroobants en français, sur son activité à l’Institute for Economics and Peace, et les trois sujets suivants:  1. La sécurité climatique L’Institute for Economics and Peace a concentré ses recherches dans ce domaine dans son rapport de menaces écologiques qui démontre la corrélation systémique entre les dégradations écologiques et l’utilisation de la violence et l’intensité des conflits. Quelles sont les perspectives, les tendances dans ce domaine? Quelles sont les régions les plus importées? Quelles pourraient être les solutions apportées par la communauté internationale? 2. La guerre en Ukraine et les sanctions imposées par l’Union Européenne? L’union Européenne a été surprise par l’invasion Russe en Ukraine et a, en l’espace d’une weekend, du se redécouvrir en acteur sécuritaire, partie prenante dans un conflit sur le contient Européen. Quelles seront les implications à court, moyen et long terme des actions et sanctions prises par l’Union Européenne et génèreront-elles une escalation dans le conflit? 3. Le secteur privé comme acteur des relations internationales Le Président Macron, lors du premier Forum pour la Paix de Paris en 2018, appelait au « multistakeholderism » dans le cadre de la lutte contre la menace Cyber avec une volonté d’intégrer les géants de la Tech dans le combat mené dans ce 5ème champ de bataille possible. Quelles sont les implications et conséquences de cette évolution? Une redistribution des compétences des acteurs internationaux? Une érosion du système Westphalien? Short Bio : Serge Stroobants is the Director of Europe and the MENA region at the Institute for Economics and Peace. His academic specialization is in political sciences, international relations, security and defence, global risk analysis, foresight and crisis management. He holds degrees from the Belgian Royal Military Academy, the Free University of Brussels, Université Jean Moulin Lyon III (France), the German General Staff College and Vesalius College.

This time our guest is Dr. Theodore Karasik and we will be speaking about geostrategic power rivalries in the Middle East and Africa.

In this series of interviews with Dr. Stephen Blank, our guest is Dr. Theodore Karasik. Our discussion will turn to Africa, where we will discuss geostrategic power rivalries in the Middle East and Africa, for influence and access to  energy, military bases, trade and strategic positioning. 

Dr. Theodore KARASIK is currently a Fellow, Russia and Middle East Affairs at the Jamestown Foundation and a Senior Advisor to Gulf State Analytics.  He is also an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Lexington Institute, all located in Washington, D.C.   He is the co-author of “Russia in the Middle East” published in 2018.

For the past 35 years, Karasik worked for a number of US agencies involved in researching and analyzing defense acquisition, the use of military power, and religio-political issues across MENA and Eurasia including the evolution of violent extremism and financing networks.

Dr. Karasik lived in Dubai, UAE from 2006 until 2016 where he worked on Arabian Peninsula foreign policy and security issues surrounding cultural awareness, cybersecurity, maritime security, counter-piracy, counter-terrorism, and infrastructure and national resilience. Dr. Karasik worked for a number of UAE ministries and think-tanks covering regional and homeland security issues.

Dr. Karasik was an Adjunct Lecturer at the Dubai School of Government where he taught graduate level international relations and also an Adjunct Lecturer at University Wollongong Dubai where he taught labor and migration. Karasik was a Senior Political Scientist in the International Policy and Security Group at RAND Corporation.  From 2002-2003, he served as Director of Research for the RAND Center for Middle East Public Policy.  He is a specialist in geopolitics and geo-economics for the MENA and Eurasia regions and frequently conducts studies and assessments of future security trajectories and military requirements in addition to cultural awareness issues surrounding traditionalism and tribalism in policymaking.

Dr. Karasik received his Ph.D in History from the University of California, Los Angeles in four fields:  Russia, Middle East, Caucasus and an outside field in cultural anthropology focusing on tribes and clans from Central Asia to East Africa.  He wrote his dissertation on military and humanitarian operations in the northern port city of Arkhangel’sk and their impact on political institutions during the Russian civil war.

Segment 1 : Suzy is Development director at MEANS : what does she do?

Segment 2 : what is MEANS data base ?

Segment 3 : what are your challenges ?

Means data base : MEANS (Matching Excess And Needs for Stability) Database is an online platform connecting those with excess food, like grocery stores, co-ops, and restaurants, with nearby emergency food providers who serve those in need. Our organization has two major goals: to reduce food waste and reroute that food to feed people facing food insecurity. MEANS has been working in the anti-hunger space for six years and has adapted to meet the needs of clients and those in need remotely during this unprecedented time.

Bio : Saoussen Mahjoub, also known as Suzy, is the Development Director at MEANS Database, a food recovery anti-food insecurity non profit based in the US.

Previously, Suzy held the role of Chief Communications Officer at iCompass, an Artificial Intelligence/NLP startup focused on African Languages and Arabic dialects. She was in charge of communications, fundraising, and preparing for the next phase of iCompass’ growth and expansion in Africa and the Middle East.

Prior to that, Suzy was an Advisor in Multicultural Marketing and Business Development with ALSAC, the fundraising organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

In 2011, she co-founded the Tunisian American Young Professionals (TAYP); a DC-based diaspora non-profit that promotes economic ties, cooperation and exchanges between Tunisia and the United States.

Suzy holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Virginia (USA), with a concentration in Economics of the European Union (EU) and China, and a master’s degree in EU International Relations and Diplomacy from the College of Europe in Brugge (Belgium).

website : https://meansdatabase.org

Learn more about the AMAR, the sustainable fashion pop-up curated by Raj , and supported by Juice, who entered a jacket made of cactus material.

This is a special Women’s Day podcast, celebrating, saluting women I admire , who have inspired me and others, to join me in a 15 minute segment (English and French) to speak about their work as professionals in different sectors of the economy.

Bio : Anna Aleksandra Koj is Managing Director of Mavence , Brussels. She helps individual clients to thrive by aligning their personal and professional vision, and organisations to identify the best talent. Working closely with Mavence (formerly European Affairs Recruitment Specialists - EARS), an international recruitment firm at the crossroads of public affairs and people management, she supports the organisation's overall growth through business development, client portfolio management, coaching and public relations.

Website : https://mavence.com/members/anna-aleksandra-koj/

Mathilde Liaud is a French communication student at ISCOM Paris in the international program and was a student of Ellen Wasylina in the first semester 2021 in Medià and Society and Law and Technology. This is the second interview that Mathilde has invited Ms Wasylina to do, this time for a video project in Intercultural communication, studying the power of language, conflicts and adaptation, from perception to interpretation of words, in the communication field.

Bienvenue à tous nos auditeurs marocains! Le Maroc est 4e de notre classement d’auditeurs après les Etats-Unis, France, Grande Bretagne, des 38  pays et aux 4 continents où est écouté notre podcast! Merci de votre fidélité!

Voici les 3 segments de ce podcast : 

Segment 1 : Bilan des 22 ans de règne de Sa Majesté Mohammed VI : un système monétaire et financier plus robuste qu’il n’y parait

Segment 2 : le crowd-funding : une forme privilégiée de mobilisation de l’intelligence collective du public”

Segment 3 : Confiance est clé comme mécanisme de gouvernance entre le VC et les managers des sociétés de VC au Maroc.

La biographie de Professeur Slimane Ed-Dafali : 

Slimane ED-DAFALI est Professeur en sciences de gestion à l’Ecole Nationale de Commerce et de Gestion d’El Jadida, Université Chouaib DOUKKALI. Il est affilié au Laboratoire d’Etudes et de Recherches en Sciences Economiques et de Management (LERSEM). Il a préparé sa thèse de doctorat au Laboratoire LaREFA de l’ENCG d’Agadir.

Slimane ED-DAFALI a enseigné à l'université IBN ZOHR puis à l'université Chouaib DOUKKALI. Actuellement, il assure l'enseignement de cours liés à l’ingénierie financière, à l'entrepreneuriat, au management de projet et à la gestion des risques financiers.

Ses travaux sur le capital-investissement et la gouvernance d’entreprise sont publiés dans de nombreuses revues académiques marocaines et internationales au comité de lecture ou internationales indexées.

Ses travaux de recherche actuels portent sur le capital-investissement, l’entrepreneuriat, la gouvernance, la performance et la croissance des Jeunes entreprises innovantes. Il est membre du Comité de lecture de plusieurs revues internationales. Il est également membre de L'Association Académique Internationale de Gouvernance (AAIG).

What’s next for Raj and Juice? They have some advice for you!

Andres Leon -Geyer works in the intersection between theory, creativity and technology. In the theoretical field, he researches about perception and formation of knowledge in an interdisciplinary context, and investigates the forms and manifestations of digital culture, with an emphasis on Extended Reality. In the practical field, he is dedicated to researching, producing, advising and training in the context of creative professions, and especially in the application of emerging technologies. He has taught courses in academic institutions in Peru, Mexico and Germany on conceptualization methods for projects, art theory, scenic use of media, interdisciplinary communication and new media tools in performative arts.

He founded LabInteract (Research Laboratory in Interactive Technologies) in Mexico; the Media, Art and Concept platform hautkai.net, as well as co-founded the self-managed film school Filmarche in Berlin and the Dance and Technology company raumkay. He is currently a teacher and researcher at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and head of LabXR.

Keywords of my current research are: Emerging technologies, Digital literacy, Extended reality, Transdisciplinarity, Digital gap, Collaborative knowledge.

Une interview avec Jean-Claude Fontanive , PDG NextSee, candidat aux élections législatives au 9e circonscription des Français à l’étranger. 1) Une vie entre les deux rives 2) La France et la Francophonie en partage 3) Une communauté de projet sociétal, culturel et économique, au bénéfice de tous    Courte bio : Né au Maroc, Jean-Claude Fontanive est diplômé de l’École supérieure d’ingénieurs (SUPINFO, 1982) et titulaire du MBA de l’IAE- Paris-Sorbonne (1983). Il est expert en affaires publiques-privées, dans le développement des relations économiques internationales et spécialiste reconnu en géopolitique en « business diplomacy » et en « stra- tégie d’influence » dans les pays de la « Grande Méditerranée » et de l’Afrique de l’Ouest.

Entretien en 3 parties avec Mourad Zeghidi sur la Tunisie  :  Segment 1 : Expérience démocratique, 10e anniversaire Segment 2 : La réussite de la démocratie  : pouvoir et contre-pouvoirs Segment 3 : La géostratégie de la Libye, grande voisine de la Tunisie

Maria Ramos is a news anchor on TRT World and loves her work. Tune in to our conversation and be inspired ! Maria was raised bi-lingual in London and has a passion for communication, languages, oratory, the world, human rights. And her Mother has been a huge inspiration to her. Maria started her career in the Arab world in Bahrain in 2002… and francophone Africa . Maria has been involved in Sustainability issues for more than a decade in London, where she created one of the first communications agency specialised in sustainability, and helped Alejandro Agag launch his idea of E Formula 1. She has been the MC for many sustainability events, recently in Brussels and in Baku.

Here is an extract from Zeina Barhoum's biography taken from her website :  "Zeina Barhoum, aka The Arabic Soprano, is a Jordanian classically trained Soprano, who started her musical career in 1997. At an early age, she received the Best Soloist Award from the Eisteddfod competition. Barhoum obtained a Bsc in Visual Communication at the American University of Sharjah. She received private vocal coaching with Alberta Valentini, Walter Alberti and Tina Ruta. Barhoum has performed at benefits countless times for the benefit of women, children, peace and prosperity, which is clear in her performances in Jordan, UAE, London, Italy, Austria, France and Lebanon with renowned artists with renowned artists, including Italian Baritone, tutor Walter Alberti and Roberto Alagna. She also supports young talents in music and arts in the Arab region." Source : https://zeinabarhoum.com/about.html 

Short bio : Alessandra Roccasalvo is UNDP Resident Representative a.i for UNDP Azerbaijan. Prior to this, she was Head of Management of Spotlight Initiative, on behalf of the Executive Office of the UN Secretary General. From 2014-2019 she managed the UNDP Office in Kosovo. Previously, she was part of UNDP’s internal management consulting team, facilitating change processes globally. Ms. Roccasalvo joined UNDP in 2005 as a Programme Officer at UNDP Indonesia, focusing on the post-tsunami recovery portfolio. In addition, she served several times as Surge Adviser in Afghanistan and Sudan. Ms. Roccasalvo started her career at McKinsey & Co; Company in Germany and India. She holds an MSc in Development Studies from the London School of Economics, as well as an MA in Economics and History from the University of Tübingen and the University of St. Andrews.

Following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, this is an interview with Dr. Stephen Blank . Here are the 3 segments : 1)Israel attacked, 2) What should Israel do? 3) Endgame Biography of Dr. Stephen Blank Dr. Stephen J. Blank is Senior Fellow at FPRI’s Eurasia Program. He has published over 900 articles and monographs on Soviet/Russian, U.S., Asian, and European military and foreign policies, testified frequently before Congress on Russia, China, and Central Asia, consulted for the Central Intelligence Agency, major think tanks and foundations, chaired major international conferences in the U.S. and in Florence; Prague; and London, and has been a commentator on foreign affairs in the media in the U.S. and abroad. He has also advised major corporations on investing in Russia and is a consultant for the Gerson Lehrmann Group. He has published or edited 15 books, most recently Russo-Chinese Energy Relations: Politics in Command (London: Global Markets Briefing, 2006). He has also published Natural Allies? Regional Security in Asia and Prospects for Indo-American Strategic Cooperation (Carlisle, PA: Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College, 2005). He completed a book entitled Light From the East: Russia’s Quest for Great Power Status in Asia published in 2014 by Ashgate. Dr. Blank is also the author of The Sorcerer as Apprentice: Stalin’s Commissariat of Nationalities (Greenwood, 1994); and the co-editor of The Soviet Military and the Future (Greenwood, 1992). Contact: eurasia@fpri.org

"Joe Biden's Foreign Policy Agenda and challenges". Interview with Dr. Stephen Blank

Comment livrer les premières et les dernières impressions : les challenges d’une architecture durable 1) profile Fahda 2) Architecture et design intérieur : expérience et réalisations 3) quelles solutions qui doivent accompagner l’architecture et qui conservent/réduisent l’empreinte carbone du consommateur en général?

Episode 3 : Interview with Julia Lagahuzère on "How Circular Culture will change the World"

The Trocadéro Forum was very pleased to receive via Zoom our Keynote speaker for Day 2 of "Vision Méditerranée 2022", Dr. Pr. Nursin Güney.

She gave her keynote speech on Day 2 of our seminar, entitled "“How Far is the Mediterranean Region away from Establishing Dialogue Mechanisms and Why?” In this podcast, her speech is followed by two questions.

For more information on this 2-day seminar that took place in Paris on September 27-28, 2021 at Maison Noura, herewith the dedicated page on the Trocadéro Forum website : https://trocaderoforum.com/vision-mediterranee-2022/, where you will find the programme and the name of the speakers that intervened during this seminar. 

“It was not possible to turn the country into a modern democracy, but creative diplomacy and force might have overcome terrorism", says the American statesman, Henry Kissinger, The Economist, August 25, 2021 

Segment 1 : Military, security, US, NATO, allies : failures, lack of unity, purpose in the mission? 

Segment 2 : Who will fill the void after August 31st? Turkey, Russia, China, Iran, GCC 

Segment 3 : What are the threats? Is Democracy a mirage? 

Biography : Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges holds the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis. He joined CEPA in February 2018. A native of Quincy, Florida, Lt. General Hodges graduated from the United States Military Academy in May 1980 and was commissioned in the Infantry. After his first assignment as an Infantry Lieutenant in Karlstadt, Germany, he commanded Infantry units at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels in the 101st Airborne Division, including Command of the First Brigade Combat Team “Bastogne” of the 101st Airborne Division in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (2003-2004). His other operational assignments include Chief of Operations for Multi-National Corps-Iraq in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (2005-2006) and Director of Operations, Regional Command South in Kandahar, Afghanistan (2009-2010). General Hodges has also served in a variety of Joint and Army Staff positions to include Tactics Instructor; Chief of Plans, 2nd Infantry Division in Korea; Aide-de-Camp to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe; Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps; Director of the Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell on the Joint Staff; Chief of Legislative Liaison for the United States Army; and Commander, NATO Allied Land Command (İzmir, Turkey). His last military assignment was as Commanding General, United States Army Europe (Wiesbaden, Germany) from 2014 to 2017. He retired from the U.S. Army in January 2018.

Previous episodes with Lt.General Ben Hodges : 

Episode 12 : NATO 2030 : https://anchor.fm/mediterranean-sustainable/episodes/Episode-12--NATO-2030-e10u6ql

Episode 10 : The Black Sea...or a Black hole? (our most possible episode!) : https://anchor.fm/mediterranean-sustainable/episodes/Episode-10--The-Black-Sea---or-a-Black-Hole-ev8sai

"Quel modèle économique pour réussir la transition énergétique de la Grande Méditerranée?" 

Segment 1 : Med Reset: la transformation d'une société  

Segment 2 :  Repenser sa relation avec l'énergie   

Segment 3 : Transition énergétique : émergence d'une société post-industrielle  

Biographie de Jean-Claude FONTANIVE :  Jean-Claude Fontanive est, depuis plus de 30 ans, expert en affaires « publiques – privées », dans le développement des relations économiques internationales et un savoir-faire reconnu en géostratégie, en business diplomacy et en stratégies d’influence dans les territoires de La Grande Méditerranée.Personnalité experte associée au Comité National des Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur de la France.Délégué Général de la Chaire « Environnement, Changement climatique et Transition énergétique » et partenaire de la Chaire « Entreprise Inclusive » à l’IPAG Business School.Directeur associé chez ISD Conseil (Innovation Sociale Durable).Vice-Président d’Alters (Association Laboratoires Territoires Entreprises Résilients et Solidaires).Diplômé de SUPINFO International University & du MBA Management et Administration des Entreprises (MAE) de l’IAE Paris Sorbonne.

This is the first episode in a new podcast series on higher education in Africa.

This first episode will be about the privatisations of universities in Africa.

The discussion will be in 3 segments and be led by Dr. Abbes SEBIHI and Léonie SCHOELEN, Ph.D. :

1) Quality Assurance and Accreditation

2) Challenges and Harmonisation

3) Perspectives and Conclusions

Dr. Abbes SEBIHI has more than 20 years of project management experience in four continents, in the technology sector he has been working as IT expert for several companies including Bosch, Volkswagen, TüV Nord, ABB and IBM global service. During the past 11 years he has served the German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation and Development (GIZ), contributing to a number of projects essentially in international higher education, Technical Vocational training and Digital learning , where he has been working as a team leader and other senior roles in cooperation with key stakeholders from Africa , Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe, such as AU/HRST, European Union, UNESCO, UNEVOC, ASEAN, ILO, OECD, SEAMEO, BMZ, BMBF, ADB and more including policymakers, coalition partners, and researchers to identify policy opportunities and advance regional sustainable development goals.

Leonie SCHOELEN, Ph.D in in Sociology and Education Sciences in December 2020, wrote her doctoral thesis on ” Facing the Global – Ambivalent Coping Strategies in the Algerian Academic Field“. After her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Politics and Society, International Relations and Peace and Conflict Studies in Germany, Ireland and Scotland, she started working as a consultant for GIZ German International Cooperation in India and Benin in the field of social aspects and community engagement of renewable energy supply, respectively, rural electrification.

Biography of George Kremlis : George Kremlis is the Chairman of the Greek Initiative at UN level on protecting cultural and natural heritage from climate change impacts. He is a member of the Board of the European Public Law Organisation and the Director of its climate and circular economy Institute. He is as well the Ambassador of the EPLO to Bulgaria. He was until recently a member of the environmental and social advisory council of the EBRD and is also currently the Chair of the Bureau of the Espoo Convention, Chair of the MOPs in 2019,  elected Chair for the MOPs in December 2020 and re-elected Chair for the period 2021-2023 and the period up to 2027. He is the Chairman of the AmCham circular economy committee. George Kremlis is Honorary Director of the European Commission (EC) and has acted in this capacity as Active Senior responsible for circular economy in the islands. He was until recently special Advisor to the Greek Prime Minister on energy, climate, environment and circular economy issues. He is doctor honoris causa of the Varna Free University.

Une interview avec Mourad Zeghidi enregistrée le 6 juin 2021.

Entretien en 3 parties avec Mourad Zeghidi sur la Tunisie  :

Segment 1 : Expérience démocratique, 10e anniversaire

Segment 2 : La réussite de la démocratie  : pouvoir et contre-pouvoirs

Segment 3 : La géostratégie de la Libye, grande voisine de la Tunisie

David Zorn is focused on developing strategic partnerships for Climeworks with sustainability leading organizations aiming to achieve science-based net zero. Founded in 2009, Climeworks is a global leader in high-quality carbon removal and pioneer in direct air capture. 

Before joining Climeworks, David was Executive Director of IESE Business School’s Sustainable Leadership Initiative. Prior to that, he was Director of Custom Programs at IESE and has ledcustomized executive education programs around the world with leading global organizations from a variety of industries. 

Earlier in his career, David worked in production and materials management for Siemens in the United States, Mexico and Germany. He also has experience in the information and risk management industry from his time at ChoicePoint (now LexisNexis Risk Solutions).

David was an On Deck Climate Tech Fellow, received his MBA from IESE Business School and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial & Systems Engineeringfrom Georgia Tech.

This is the third and final roundtable of our special U.S. Elections series with Dr. Professors Nursin Güney and Visne Korkmaz and Ambassador Omar Samad.

Here are the four segments :

1) the election results and campaigns

2) the cabinet of the future President

3) Domestic policies

4) Foreign policy

This is the first episode in a new podcast series on higher education in Africa.  The paper referenced in this episode can be located here : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344651090_Exploring_a_Regional_Meta-Approach_to_Harmonize_Quality_Assurance_and_Accreditation_for_Enhancing_the_Effectiveness_of_Public-Private_Higher_Education_Institution_Initiatives_in_Africa

This first episode will be about the privatisations of universities in Africa.

The discussion will be in 3 segments and be led by Dr. Abbes SEBIHI and Léonie SCHOELEN, Ph.D. :

1) Quality Assurance and Accreditation

2) Challenges and Harmonisation

3) Perspectives and Conclusions

Dr. Abbes SEBIHI has more than 20 years of project management experience in four continents, in the technology sector he has been working as IT expert for several companies including Bosch, Volkswagen, TüV Nord, ABB and IBM global service. During the past 11 years he has served the German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation and Development (GIZ), contributing to a number of projects essentially in international higher education, Technical Vocational training and Digital learning , where he has been working as a team leader and other senior roles in cooperation with key stakeholders from Africa , Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe, such as AU/HRST, European Union, UNESCO, UNEVOC, ASEAN, ILO, OECD, SEAMEO, BMZ, BMBF, ADB and more including policymakers, coalition partners, and researchers to identify policy opportunities and advance regional sustainable development goals.

Leonie SCHOELEN, Ph.D in Sociology and Education Sciences in December 2020, wrote her doctoral thesis on ” Facing the Global – Ambivalent Coping Strategies in the Algerian Academic Field“. After her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Politics and Society, International Relations and Peace and Conflict Studies in Germany, Ireland and Scotland, she started working as a consultant for GIZ German International Cooperation in India and Benin in the field of social aspects and community engagement of renewable energy supply, respectively, rural electrification.

Récap of Season 1 of the podcast in 2021, where our audience grew to 51 countries and 5 continents; intro to Season 2 in preparation

Episode 7 : Commanding the Seas on the Silk Road : China’s Mahanist strategy in the Indian Ocean 

In this Bonus episode, I read my Editorial of N° 9, "The South China Sea : the Mediterranean of Asia" (2017), of the Geostrategic Maritime Review, the flagship publication of the International Geostrategic Maritime Observatory (IGMO, 2011-2019).

The South China Sea is a classic Mediterranean sea-structure with a long history of populations living in the basin and taking advantage of a permanent trading activity interrupted by some dramatic war moments. The Chinese preponderance on the development and the history of the basin has been a permanent element of both equilibrium and dilemma. Political and military tensions are heating up with a sharp increase in commercial relations amongst the regional countries and the great international powers.

For consultation and purchase, here is the link : https://www.amazon.com/South-China-Sea-French-ebook/dp/B07K3L9K6Z/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&qid=1621688115&refinements=p_27%3AEllen+Wasylina&s=books&sr=1-7

This is the audio version of our podcast , with special greetings to our Japanese and Chinese audiences.

Here are the short bios of our speakers : 

Christian Schmitz :

After a corporate career in large multinationals such as Bayer, BASF, Henkel and the German SME hulsta furniture, he established his boutique consulting firm Aventa to bridge Japan and Europe. Various experiences in the startup world, investing in startups as well as running a global organization. Finally, he founded the PDIE to build his own global network of purpose driven entrepreneurs.

Oliver Gottfried is a postdoctoral researcher at MIT Sloan’s Sustainability Initiative, specializing in research aimed at optimizing fundraising, go-to-market strategies, internationalization, and exit strategies for climate / deep tech startups and venture capital firms in the US,  Europe and China.  

Dr. Richard Weitz from the Hudson Institute joins Dr. Stephen Blank and me in this continuing series of interviews on strategic issues.

Questions : 

1.  What are China's objectives in the Indian Ocean and how is it realizing them?

2. How does this affect Sino-Iranian relations,  specifically is there a deal between Beijing and Tehran similar to what was announced last summer with massive Chinese investments and a base in Iran and what would be the implications of this outcome?

3 To what degree to we see Sino-Russian collaboration here and if we do how does it manifest itself?

As we prepare for our Séminaire "Vision Méditerranée 2022", I would like to share an excerpt of my recent book entitled, "Sustainability Governance in a post-globalised world", Apple Books, 2019, Chapter Six, with an article entitled "The Green Economy : source of opportunity and jobs", pp 199-207, from which I read a brief introduction : https://books.apple.com/us/book/sustainability-governance-in-a-post-globalized-world/id1450842371 

On September 29, I will be leading a panel on the Green Economy.  For more information about the program for this timely seminar with renowned experts from the region, sign up and join us, September 27-29 in Paris at Maison Noura : https://trocaderoforum.com/vision-mediterranee-2022/ .

Thank you for tuning into Mediterranean Sustainability Partners from 37 countries and on 4 continents! 

This episode will be recorded on August 11, 2021.

There will be 3 segments : 

Segment 1 : post-NATO summit analysis, NATO 2030

Segment 2 : Geopolitical realities in the East Med

Segment 3 : Outside players, regional powers in the East Med (US, China, Russia, Iran)

GUEST : Prof. Dr. Vişne Korkmaz is professor of International Relations at Nisantasi University. She is vice-director of a research center, CEMES, Center of Mediterranean Security. Prof. Dr. Korkmaz has also given lectures at the National Defense University of the Turkish Republic on current affairs and regional security issues in the Middle East, Russia, Caucasus, and the national security strategies of Turkey. Her research interests cover IR theories, FP theories, regional security and security issues, Russian, American, and Turkish foreign policy. She is author of several books and has published several scholarly papers, chapters and articles on these issues, including newly launched contributions in the edited books of Nursin Guney (New Geopolitical Realities for Russia, From the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, Lexington, September 2019) and Banafsheh Keynoush (Iran’s Interregional Dynamics in the Near East, Peter Lang, April 2021). Her recent analysis which is entitled “Waiting for the Biden Administration: Can we expect a Change in EU-Russia relations?” was published by SETA Brussels, (https://www.setav.org/en/analysis-waiting-for-the-biden-administration-can-we-expect-a-change-in-eu-russia-relations/). She is columnist in Yeni Birlik and gives comments on international and foreign policy developments on regular basis to national tv and radio news channels.

Episode 2 : Interview with Stéphanie Chaltiel, Dronespray Technology

"Quel modèle économique pour réussir la transition énergétique de la Grande Méditerranée?"

Segment 1 : Med Reset: la transformation d'une société

Segment 2 :  Repenser sa relation avec l'énergie

Segment 3 : Transition énergétique : émergence d'une société post-industrielle

Biographie de Jean-Claude FONTANIVE :  Jean-Claude Fontanive est, depuis plus de 30 ans, expert en affaires « publiques – privées », dans le développement des relations économiques internationales et un savoir-faire reconnu en géostratégie, en business diplomacy et en stratégies d’influence dans les territoires de La Grande Méditerranée.Personnalité experte associée au Comité National des Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur de la France.Délégué Général de la Chaire « Environnement, Changement climatique et Transition énergétique » et partenaire de la Chaire « Entreprise Inclusive » à l’IPAG Business School.Directeur associé chez ISD Conseil (Innovation Sociale Durable).Vice-Président d’Alters (Association Laboratoires Territoires Entreprises Résilients et Solidaires).Diplômé de SUPINFO International University & du MBA Management et Administration des Entreprises (MAE) de l’IAE Paris Sorbonne.

Given the current migratory situation in the Spanish enclaves, here is a reading of my editorial, entitled "Corruption and Migration: a criminal, transnational network" published in June 2016 in the 6th edition, "Migration over Seas" of the Geostrategic Maritime Review, the flagship publication of the International Geostrategic Maritime Observatory (IGMO, 2011-2018). Also contributing to this issue were Professor emeritus Jean-Paul Pancracio, Emmanuel Aubin, Nursin Atesoglu Guney and Pierre Henry. Here is the link to Amazon for consultation and purchase :  https://www.amazon.com/Migration-over-French-Ellen-Wasylina-ebook/dp/B01MA3NH6O/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&qid=1621675890&refinements=p_27%3AEllen+Wasylina&s=books&sr=1-3

Episode 1 : Interview avec Hichem Ben Yaïche, "Les Afriques : tentative de décryptage d'un continent multiple et singulier"  

Cet épisode est divisé en trois parties  : 1) Introduction historique du Bitcoin (contexte économique de 2008); 2) Bénéfices théoriques; et 3) Blockchain au Moyen-Orient , études de cas.

Bio de Romain Aby : 

Romain Aby est docteur en géopolitique, diplômé de l’IFG (Institut Français de Géopolitique) et chercheur au centre GEODE (géopolitique de la Datasphère). Spécialiste des enjeux du cyberespace arabophone, ses travaux récents portent sur les enjeux géopolitiques des nouvelles technologies disruptives (Blockchain, Ordinateurs quantiques, IA, 5G…) et leur applicabilité et cas d’usage dans le monde arabe.

Pendant 4 ans il a occupé le poste d’analyste à l’Observatoire du Cybermonde arabophone (OCA) avant d’ouvrir son cabinet de conseil Rumi Consulting.

Il a notamment publié en 2019 un double article sur le site de l’IRIS (institut de relations internationales et stratégiques) intitulé « Géopolitique et Bitcoin : la technologie blockchain dans le monde arabe » : https://www.iris-france.org/130702-geopolitique-et-bitcoin-la-technologie-blockchain-dans-le-monde-arabe-2-2/ 

Following the NATO summit in Madrid, Professor Dr. Nursin Atesoglu Güney will give us a debrief on the summit which she attended.

Segment 1 : Is NATO’ s Madrid Summit a sign of a rise of a new Cold War
-the change in threat perceptions
-have NATO’s strategic missions changed? Strengthened Deterrence seems to be the 1st priority over others- collective security and crisis management
Segment 2: why is NATO is expanding now? Has the Ukrainian war triggered it?
Segment 3: Turkish-Sweden-Finland trilateral deal: indivisibility of security principle in NATO is functioning now.

Here is a short bio : Distinguished author, speaker, commentator and author, Nursin Atesoglu Güney is professor of international relations in Nisantasi University and a member of Turkiye‘s  Presidential Security and Foreign Policies Council. She is president of CEMES, the Center of Mediterranean Security. 

According to Worldcat.org she is the author of 19 works in 54 publications in 2 languages and 2,168 library holdings

Turkiye is ranked 6th/57 countries tuning in to our podcast . Thank you! 

Intro : This is a special Women’s Day podcast, celebrating, saluting women I admire , who have inspired me and others, to join me in a 15 minute segment (English and French) to speak about their work as professionals in different sectors of the economy.

Bio : Working at the highest level, Julia Lagahuzère was previously Deputy Casting Director of Opéra National de Paris in the two theatres of Opéra de Bastille and Palais Garnier. She is currently artistic consultant to the Queen Sonja International Music Competition in Oslo, Norway. Julia has a passion for finding and helping to nurture young talent, and established a concert series in order to strengthen relations between the QSIMC and the top international young artist programs; notably in collaboration with the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.

She has previously worked at the San Francisco Opera, Scottish Opera and Opéra de Limoges. She is a graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and Sussex University, a musicology scholarship recipient at the University of California, Berkeley, and holds a Masters degree in Opera and Visual Performing Arts from King’s College London, in collaboration with the BBC Proms.

Website : https://operaforpeace.org

This is the video of our podcast , with special greetings to our Japanese and Chinese audiences.

Here are the short bios of our speakers :

Christian Schmitz :

After a corporate career in large multinationals such as Bayer, BASF, Henkel and the German SME hulsta furniture, he established his boutique consulting firm Aventa to bridge Japan and Europe. Various experiences in the startup world, investing in startups as well as running a global organization. Finally, he founded the PDIE to build his own global network of purpose driven entrepreneurs.

Oliver Gottfried is a postdoctoral researcher at MIT Sloan’s Sustainability Initiative, specializing in research aimed at optimizing fundraising, go-to-market strategies, internationalization, and exit strategies for climate / deep tech startups and venture capital firms in the US,  Europe and China.  

Intro :Intro : This is a special Women’s Day podcast, celebrating, saluting women I admire , who have inspired me and others, to join me in a 15 minute segment (English and French) to speak about their work as professionals in different sectors of the economy.

Biographie: Fahda Barrak

Diplômée de l’Ecole Nationale d’Architecture et d’Urbanisme de Tunis,  (Fahda Barrak) a débuté sa carrière d’architecte aux Emirats Arabes, dans une société de construction de bâtimentet de construction navale Intermass.

Suite à cette expérience elle a pu s’associer un groupe d’architectes et fonder avec eux la société internationale DRAWLINK.

Son parcours a Drawlink a été très riche en termes de projets et de défis, en effet étant un pilier de cette société, Fahda Barrakétait responsable du département du design ainsi que le département FF&E, qui concerne la recherche et  le ressourcement des nouveaux matériaux et nouvelles techniques de construction. (bureau de Drawlink à Guanzhou, Chine de 2013 à 2016 )

En 2018, Barrak décide de se lancer dans une aventure différente, elle a fondé sa propre société de Design fbDESIGNSTYLE, ou elle a pu travailler sur des projets de réaménagement et de conception d’intérieur tout en se concentrant sur la recherche et la réflexion sur les limites de ce qu’on appelle architecture durable, quant aux choix  des matériaux.

Fahda Barrak réside actuellement entre Dubaï et Tunis et ce depuis une année, à la recherche de nouveaux horizons.

This is the trailer for Episode 12 : NATO 2030 with Lt. General (ret.) Ben Hodges and Dr. Stephen Blank.

Here is the link to the extracts used in this trailer from the  commencent speech on January 18, 2021 at Sciences Po by the Secretary General Jens Stollenberg : https://www.nato.int/cps/fr/natohq/opinions_180709.htm 

On February 4, 2021, Ellen Wasylina interviewed Neil Watson, who is an international journalist with 25 years’ experience of writing on a wide range of topics, ranging from technology and architecture to geopolitics. Since 2009 he has focused on the history, culture and politics of the South Caucasus, and particularly on Azerbaijan. Neil has also edited numerous academic books on Azerbaijani literature and culture and regularly appears on Azerbaijani and Kazakh TV.

“It was not possible to turn the country into a modern democracy, but creative diplomacy and force might have overcome terrorism", says the American statesman, Henry Kissinger, The Economist, August 25, 2021

Segment 1 : Military, security, US, NATO, allies : failures, lack of unity, purpose in the mission?

Segment 2 : Who will fill the void after August 31st? Turkey, Russia, China, Iran, GCC

Segment 3 : What are the threats? Is Democracy a mirage?

Biography : Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges holds the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis. He joined CEPA in February 2018. A native of Quincy, Florida, Lt. General Hodges graduated from the United States Military Academy in May 1980 and was commissioned in the Infantry. After his first assignment as an Infantry Lieutenant in Karlstadt, Germany, he commanded Infantry units at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels in the 101st Airborne Division, including Command of the First Brigade Combat Team “Bastogne” of the 101st Airborne Division in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (2003-2004). His other operational assignments include Chief of Operations for Multi-National Corps-Iraq in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (2005-2006) and Director of Operations, Regional Command South in Kandahar, Afghanistan (2009-2010). General Hodges has also served in a variety of Joint and Army Staff positions to include Tactics Instructor; Chief of Plans, 2nd Infantry Division in Korea; Aide-de-Camp to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe; Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps; Director of the Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell on the Joint Staff; Chief of Legislative Liaison for the United States Army; and Commander, NATO Allied Land Command (İzmir, Turkey). His last military assignment was as Commanding General, United States Army Europe (Wiesbaden, Germany) from 2014 to 2017. He retired from the U.S. Army in January 2018.

Previous episodes with Lt.General Ben Hodges :

Episode 12 : NATO 2030 : https://anchor.fm/mediterranean-sustainable/episodes/Episode-12--NATO-2030-e10u6ql

Episode 10 : The Black Sea...or a Black hole? (our most popular episode!) : https://anchor.fm/mediterranean-sustainable/episodes/Episode-10--The-Black-Sea---or-a-Black-Hole-ev8sai

This episode will be the chance for Lt. General (ret.) Ben Hodges and Dr . Stephen Blank to weigh in on the NATO 2030 summit on June 14 , 2021.

This episode will be recorded on June 17.

There will be 3 segments.

Here  are the bios of our participanst :

Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges holds the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis. He joined CEPA in February 2018.

A native of Quincy, Florida, Lt. General Hodges graduated from the United States Military Academy in May 1980 and was commissioned in the Infantry.

After his first assignment as an Infantry Lieutenant in Karlstadt, Germany, he commanded Infantry units at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels in the 101st Airborne Division, including Command of the First Brigade Combat Team “Bastogne” of the 101st Airborne Division in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (2003-2004). His other operational assignments include Chief of Operations for Multi-National Corps-Iraq in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (2005-2006) and Director of Operations, Regional Command South in Kandahar, Afghanistan (2009-2010).

General Hodges has also served in a variety of Joint and Army Staff positions to include Tactics Instructor; Chief of Plans, 2nd Infantry Division in Korea; Aide-de-Camp to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe; Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps; Director of the Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell on the Joint Staff; Chief of Legislative Liaison for the United States Army; and Commander, NATO Allied Land Command (İzmir, Turkey). His last military assignment was as Commanding General, United States Army Europe (Wiesbaden, Germany) from 2014 to 2017. He retired from the U.S. Army in January 2018.

Dr.Stephen BLANK is an internationally recognized expert on Russian foreign and defense policies and international relations across the former Soviet Union. He is also a leading expert on European and Asian security, including energy issues. Since 2020 he has been a Senior Expert for Russia at the U.S. Institute of Peace and a Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. From 2013-2020 he was a Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council.

Link to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's commencement address at Sciences Po, January 18, 2021 : https://www.nato.int/cps/fr/natohq/opinions_180709.htm 

bio of our guest , Richard Harris :

With over a decade of experience navigating the financial landscapes of Brazil and the United States, Richard Harris founded Bexley VC with a focus on identifying and supporting ventures with high growth potential. Combining deep industry knowledge, strategic insights, and a strong network, Richard has built partnerships with a wide range of entrepreneurs, the business community and government. His work is driven by a belief in the growth potential of biotech startups and their ability to address critical market opportunities.

 

Richard’s professional background includes roles as Portfolio Manager and Financial Advisor at leading financial institutions such as J.P. Morgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and HSBC Bank. In these roles, he managed investor relations, capital raising, startup due diligence, and contributed to capital deployment for Venture Capital and Venture Debt funds, with an emphasis on Biotech and Climate Tech investments.

Stephanie Chaltiel is a French architect and interior designer working with innovative techniques and natural materials offering unique designs for each project. She began her career in Mexico and French Guyana building by hand with local dwellers houses. After working for Bernard Tschumi in New York, OMA and Zaha Hadid she started her own practice. Her award winning projects marrying cutting edge technology and raw materials (ACADIA, MIT 2017, part of the ICON Design 100 talents 2019 and Dezeen Awards Winners Highly commended mention) has been presented and exhibited worldwide. She taught at SUTD Singapore, Westminster London, AA London, Ravensbourne London, and at the architectural school of Brighton and more recently at Elisava Barcelona. She was also during 4 years an EU Marie Curie scholarship recipient when she developed the drone spray technology for sustainable architecture and refurbishments.

Following the NATO summit in Madrid, Professor Dr. Nursin Atesoglu Güney will give us a debrief on the summit which she attended.

Segment 1 : Is NATO’ s Madrid Summit a sign of a rise of a new Cold War -the change in threat perceptions -have NATO’s strategic missions changed? Strengthened Deterrence seems to be the 1st priority over others- collective security and crisis management Segment 2: why is NATO is expanding now? Has the Ukrainian war triggered it? Segment 3: Turkish-Sweden-Finland trilateral deal: indivisibility of security principle in NATO is functioning now.

Here is a short bio : Distinguished author, speaker, commentator and author, Nursin Atesoglu Güney is professor of international relations in Nisantasi University and a member of Turkiye‘s  Presidential Security and Foreign Policies Council. She is president of CEMES, the Center of Mediterranean Security.

According to Worldcat.org she is the author of 19 works in 54 publications in 2 languages and 2,168 library holdings

Turkiye is ranked 6th/57 countries tuning in to our podcast . Thank you!

Here is an extract from Zeina Barhoum's biography taken from her website :  "Zeina Barhoum, aka The Arabic Soprano, is a Jordanian classically trained Soprano, who started her musical career in 1997. At an early age, she received the Best Soloist Award from the Eisteddfod competition. Barhoum obtained a Bsc in Visual Communication at the American University of Sharjah. She received private vocal coaching with Alberta Valentini, Walter Alberti and Tina Ruta. Barhoum has performed at benefits countless times for the benefit of women, children, peace and prosperity, which is clear in her performances in Jordan, UAE, London, Italy, Austria, France and Lebanon with renowned artists with renowned artists, including Italian Baritone, tutor Walter Alberti and Roberto Alagna. She also supports young talents in music and arts in the Arab region." Source : https://zeinabarhoum.com/about.html 

Segment 1 : Mes Débuts

Segment 2 : Mes métiers

Segment 3 : Ma mission

This is the fourth in the series of our Davos Debrief séries with Dr Professor Alexandre Hedjazi , who partnered with PDIE group for our luncheon in Davos on January 17. Tune in to hear his takeaways from our event and what his impressions were , as we look forward to the Global Summit of the Future in September in New York in September and to the COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Biography : Dr. Alexandre Hedjazi has received a doctoral degree in Urban Planning from University of Grenoble in France and a Ph.D from School of Public Affairs – University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Hedjazi's started his research career on the financing of urban infrastructures and Public-Private Governance which contributed to the final document of OECD's Conference for Partnership in the XXI Century. In 1997, Dr. Hedjazi joined UCLA to conduct research on regional development and security where among many courses and seminars he lectured on Regionalization and Energy Security at the UCLA Global Studies program. Since joining the University of Geneva in 2007, he has taught many courses on comparative politics, and organized multiple seminar series on the Caspian Sea, Regionalization and Urban development bringing scholars and practitioner to explore and discuss the nexus of development, security and the environment. Bridging his academic research and his knowledge of Central Asia and the Caucasus, his latest work concerns the impact of emerging economic and political insecurities on regional cooperation and development.

Belles Vacances à tous nos auditeurs francophones!

Merci de votre fidélité en France, au Liban, au Canada, en Belgique, en Algérie, au Maroc, en Cote d'Ivoire et en Suisse.

Ecoutez Episodes 1, 11, 13, 15 et 17.

This is a conversation with Lt. General (ret) Ben Hodges and Dr. Stephen Blank based on a paper written and published by Lt. General Hodges on the Center of European Policy Analysis (CEPA) : https://cepa.org/the-black-sea-or-a-black-hole/

Here is Lt. General Hodges' bio : 

Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges holds the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis. He joined CEPA in February 2018.

A native of Quincy, Florida, Lt. General Hodges graduated from the United States Military Academy in May 1980 and was commissioned in the Infantry.

After his first assignment as an Infantry Lieutenant in Karlstadt, Germany, he commanded Infantry units at the Company, Battalion, and Brigade levels in the 101st Airborne Division, including Command of the First Brigade Combat Team “Bastogne” of the 101st Airborne Division in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (2003-2004). His other operational assignments include Chief of Operations for Multi-National Corps-Iraq in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (2005-2006) and Director of Operations, Regional Command South in Kandahar, Afghanistan (2009-2010).

General Hodges has also served in a variety of Joint and Army Staff positions to include Tactics Instructor; Chief of Plans, 2nd Infantry Division in Korea; Aide-de-Camp to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe; Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps; Director of the Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell on the Joint Staff; Chief of Legislative Liaison for the United States Army; and Commander, NATO Allied Land Command (İzmir, Turkey). His last military assignment was as Commanding General, United States Army Europe (Wiesbaden, Germany) from 2014 to 2017. He retired from the U.S. Army in January 2018.

Dr.Stephen BLANK is an internationally recognized expert on Russian foreign and defense policies and international relations across the former Soviet Union. He is also a leading expert on European and Asian security, including energy issues. Since 2020 he has been a Senior Expert for Russia at the U.S. Institute of Peace and a Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. From 2013-2020 he was a Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council.

Segment 1 : who is Hatem?

Segment 2 : AI & NLP in Africa are the next disruptors

Segment 3 : AI & NLP applications in Africa for equity, inclusion and diversity

Bio : Hatem Haddad received a doctorate in Computer Science and Information Systems from University Grenoble Alpes, France. He was a Postdoctoral Fellow at VTT Technical Research Center of Finland and at Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
He occupied assistant professor positions at Grenoble Alpes university (France), at UAEU (EAU), at Sousse university (Tunisia), at Mevlana university (Turkey) and at ULB (Belgium). He worked for industrial corporations in R&D at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Institute for Infocomm Research, Image Processing and Applications Lab of Singapore. He was an invited researcher at Leibniz-Fachhochschule School of Business (Germany) and Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra (Portugal).
His current research interests include Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning and Deep Learning. He is a Program Chair in various global conferences and serves as a reviewer for relevant journals and conferences in the Artificial Intelligence field. He is a board member of Masakhane and WiNLP (Widening NLP).

Title of this episode : "Dare to Partner with the Future!"
the 3 segments:

Segment 1 : What is NELIS , Next Leaders' Initiative for Sustainability, its vision and mission

Segment 2 : What is OML : One Million Leaders?

Segment 3 : What is the OML App as a tool both for empowerment and fundraising?

Short bio of Peter David Pedersen
Born in Denmark, he is a resident of Japan for 31 years.
Peter David has worked on business and sustainability in Japan since 1995.
He set up one of the countries first, dedicated sustainability consultancies,
E-Square Inc., in 2000, running the company as CEO until 2011.
Presently, he wears three hats - one as co-founder of the non-profit,
NELIS (Next Leaders' Initiative for Sustainability), a global network aiming to 
connect, inspire and empower nextgen sustainability leaders;
a second as professor of sustainability and innovation at a 5-year old
business school in Tokyo, Shizenkan University; and a third as independent
director of two listed, Japanese companies, Meiji Holdings and Marui Group.
His greatest passion is for the empowerment of an emerging generation of social 
innovators and sustainability practitioners across the globe.

Diplômé en droit public, en Sciences Politiques et de l’INALCO, Chiheb M’NASSER a travaillé comme agent de l’Etat pendant 7 ans. Il exerce actuellement les fonctions de directeur général à la Fondation de l’Islam de France.

C’est à cette occasion qu’il a choisi d’ aborder dans le cadre de ce Podcast les enjeux relatifs à la question islamique dans l’espace public français.

voici les 3 segments :

• Segment 1 :Introduction à la FIF, la Fondation d’Islam de France
• Segment 2 : enjeux islamiques en France ;
• Segment 3 : enjeux des dernières élections présidentielles et législatives en France 

La Tunisie est 12e/57 pays où notre podcast est écouté .

Segment 1 : PDIE : purpose driven innovation 

segment 2 : Earthshot prize : nominating the brightest 

segment 3 : 4REVs African Summit in April : solving the water, food, resources, climate, energy

Short bio of Christian Schmitz : After a corporate career in large multinationals such as Bayer, BASF, Henkel and the German SME hulsta furniture, he established his boutique consulting firm Aventa to bridge Japan and Europe. Various experiences in the startup world, investing in startups as well as running a global organization. Finally, he founded the PDIE to build his own global network of purpose driven entrepreneurs.

Website : https://pdiegroup.com 

Japan ranks 28th/62 countries where the podcast is heard.

The Climate Agenda in a Polarised World 1. How does climate interest with the current political and geopolitical fracture in the world today ? 2. ⁠Can climate survive the political winds of 2024? 3. ⁠what are odds today for mitigating climate change ? Here is a short bio of Karim Elgendy : Karim is a sustainability and climate expert based in London. He is an Associate Director at 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗼 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗱, an Associate Fellow at 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 (The Royal Institute of International Affairs), and a Non-Resident Scholar at the 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 in Washington. Karim is also the Founder and Coordinator of 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻, an advocacy initiative promoting sustainability in cities of the Middle East and North Africa, through research and communication. Karim's interests include urban sustainability and resilience, climate policy, and energy transition. His current work focuses on the Middle East and North Africa region, especially around the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf, but his two decades of experience also span Europe, North America, and sub-Saharan Africa. Karim has written tens of articles and publications. He has been invited to over one hundred public speaking engagements and has delivered guest lectures at some of the world's leading universities. He is regularly interviewed and quoted by TV, print and digital media, and has appeared in most mainstream media outlets.

Thank you to all our listeners across the globe, in 30 countries, on 4 continents that tune in to our podcast! Here are the top 10 :  1) the United States (21 States) 2) France : PACA, IDF, Auvergne/Rhone-Alpes 3) United Kingdom : England, Scotland 4) Turkey : Istanbul, Antalya, Gazientiep 5) Germany : Hesse, Baden-Würtemburg 6) Russia : Moscow, Krasnodarsky Kray 7) Italy : Piedmont, Marches, Veneto 8) Lebanon 9) Poland 10) Spain Leave us a message here : https://anchor.fm/mediterranean-sustainable ; we may chose your message to be published in a future episode!

As we prepare for our seminar, « Vision Méditerranée 2022 » , here is a reading of excerpts of an article written by Professor Jean-Paul PANCRACIO in this 6th issue of the Geostrategic Maritime Review , entitled , « Maritime Migration flows across the Mediterranean: a general approach » , pp 50-58.

Here is the link to the publication : https://www.amazon.com/Migration-over-French-Ellen-Wasylina-ebook/dp/B01MA3NH6O/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&qid=1629278198&refinements=p_27%3AEllen+Wasylina&s=digital-text&sr=1-4&text=Ellen+Wasylina

Here is the link to our seminar, "Vision Méditerranée 2022" in Paris, September 27-29 : https://trocaderoforum.com/vision-mediterranee-2022/

Welcome to the members of our audience tuning in from Jordan, The Hashemite Kingdom! You are the 31st country tuning into our podcast.  Thank you, dear Zeina Barhoum!

Going up the list from the bottom, is Hong Kong, Cyprus, Republic of Lithuania, Bulgaria, Israel, Japan, Ivory Coast, Ukraine, and Romania.

Happy Summer to all our listeners in 31 countries and on 4 continents!

Une interview en 3 parties avec le professeur Nicolas Badaoui, professeur à l'Université Saint Esprit de Kaslik, en préambule de la préparation de notre séminaire les 28-30 septembre, intitulé "Vision 2022 pour la Méditerranée : Les Enjeux géopolitiques et géoéconomiques" :  1) Segment 1 :  Le Monde post-COVID : les conséquences politiques, économique et sociales 2) Segment 2 : Géopolitique : la rentrée des forces asiatiques en Méditerranée; Géoéconomie : les enjeux économiques, énergétiques et environnementales en Méditerranée 3) Segment 3 : Menaces sécuritaires, hard et hybride

Here is a brief recap of our upcoming seminar, "Vision Méditerranée 2022" at Maison Noura, September 27-29, 2021

Here is the dedicated webpage for the seminar, where you will find information about our program, speakers and sign up information : 

https://trocaderoforum.com/vision-mediterranee-2022/

Please do join us!

Le titre de cet episode s’inspire d’une exposition collective qu’a organisé Anna Canter a Verderonne (Oise) en 2012, intitulé « Chaos et Merveilles »  Voici les 3 segments de ce podcast : Segment 1 : Little Odessa Gallery : la culture comme arme de guerre Segment 2 : Terre d’Ukraine : accueillir les femmes et les enfants ukrainiens en France; Intégration, Déplacement, Création  Segment 3 : Centre Anne de Kiev : focus sur l’avenir Courte bio d’Anna Canter : Àrtiste , elle a fait ses études 1991/1993 à l’École des Arts Décoratifs de Strasbourg, et ensuite à l’ESRA Paris (Enseignement Supérieur de Réalisation Audiovisuelle) en 1992/1994. Elle a fait plus de 30 expositions artistiques personnelles ou collectives : Salon Révélations, Grand Palais, Paris Art Paris, Carrousel du Louvre, Paris, CUMF, Toronto, Canada Galerie de Latine, Troistorrents, Suisse Orange Matrix, La Haye, Pays-Bas... En 2013 elle a fondé le Centre Anne de Kyiv qui est une ONG franco-ukrainienne qui promeut l'identité ukrainienne en Europe Le Centre œuvre en faveur d’une coopération entre la France, l’Ukraine et l’Union Européenne. Nous voulons ainsi contribuer à l’intégration de l’Ukraine dans l’Union Européenne. Le Centre Anne de Kyiv nourrit son histoire dans la ville médiévale de Senlis, vieille de plus de 2.000 ans. La ville est située à 40 kilomètres de Paris. Entre 1051-1073, la reine de France Anne de Kyiv, a vécu à Senlis. Elle était la fille de Yaroslav le Sage, roi de l’Ukraine et d’ Ingigerd de Suède. A Senlis, Anne de Kyiv fonda l’Abbaye Saint-Vincent, qui a survécu jusqu’à nos jours. L’ancienne Abbaye abritant aujourd’hui un lycée. En 2014 Elle fondé la galerie Little Odessa Gallery à Paris, spécialisée en design et photo En 2022, elle a fondé L’ONG Terre d'Ukraine (qui accueille des femmes et enfants déplacés durant la guerre en Ukraine; qui procure l'écoute, la scolarisation, le lien entre les familles accueillantes et accueillies et le développement de projets artistiques communs).

Interview avec Fahda Barrak, architecte

This is Ellen Wasylina’s entire speech , delivered at the Istanbul Security Forum, May 3, 2023

Here is the link to the website and to the panel : https://isf.org.tr/en/, https://isf.org.tr/en/events/challenges-on-the-governance-of-global-security/

Her speech is divided into 3 parts : geopolitics, geoeconomics and energy.