Program and speakers biography - EN

Hugo Manuel Moreira Luís is the current Mayor of Mafra, a position he assumed in July 2024 following the resignation of Hélder Sousa Silva, who was elected to the European Parliament.

Before becoming mayor, Hugo Moreira Luís served as a municipal councillor in the Mafra City Council, overseeing key areas such as Municipal Strategic Planning, Territorial Planning, Urbanism, and Urban Rehabilitation. His extensive experience in these fields contributed to the municipality's sustainable development.

In addition to his municipal duties, he was elected First Vice-President of the Lisbon Metropolitan Council, further strengthening his influence in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area.

Ambassador António de Almeida-Ribeiro was born in Lisbon and graduated in 1976 from the Faculty of Law (Legal and Political Sciences), University of Coimbra.

He joined the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1979, where he has held a variety of positions, among which Director General for Administration, Political Director and Secretary General.

Throughout his career, he has served as Ambassador of Portugal to Argentina, Egypt, the Holy See, the Sovereign Order of Malta and Austria, where he was also Permanent Representative to the International Organizations based in Vienna, among other appointments around the world.

Currently, Ambassador António de Almeida-Ribeiro serves as the Acting Secretary-General of the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID), a position he assumed in January 2025.

D. Ivo Scapolo was born in Italy on July 24, 1953. He was ordained a priest on June 4, 1978, and joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1984.

Throughout his career, he has held various positions in Vatican diplomacy, serving in pontifical representations in several countries. In 2002, he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Tagaste and Apostolic Nuncio to Bolivia, receiving episcopal ordination on October 12 of the same year. He later served as Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda (2008-2011) and Chile (2011-2019).

In 2019, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Portugal, a position he currently holds.

Dr. Jyh-Shyang Sheu is currently an Assistant Research Fellow at the "Chinese Politics, Military, and Warfighting Concepts" Division of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) in Taiwan. He obtained his PhD from Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, in Germany.

His areas of expertise include the armed forces of Germany, Europe, and the United States, studies on the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, land-based weaponry, asymmetric warfare, military history, European Union studies, and Cross-Strait relations.

Additionally, Dr. Sheu has a keen interest in advanced global weapons systems and their strategic impacts, as well as the development of global warfighting concepts.

Among his publications, a notable article is "Conscription in Taiwan and the war in Ukraine," in which he analyzes China's military threats and Taiwan's need to strengthen its military capabilities, drawing lessons from the conflict in Ukraine.

Dr Raghvendra Kumar is a distinguished scholar and author with expertise in international relations, geopolitics, and security studies. His research focuses on defence and security, Africa's role in global affairs, the Indian Ocean region, India-Africa relations, China's engagement in Africa, and maritime security.

Dr Kumar is the co-author of Oceanic Strategy: India and Other Powers in the Indian Ocean, published by Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. His work provides in-depth analysis of strategic dynamics in the Indian Ocean and their implications for regional and global stability.

He holds academic credentials from the University of Delhi, where he has contributed extensively to research in his areas of expertise. With a robust professional network, he actively engages in academic discourse, policy analysis, and international collaborations.

Cameron Sumpter is the Coordinator for Counterterrorism and P/CVE (Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism) for the Enhancing Security Cooperation in and with Asia (ESIWA+) project, co-funded by the European Union and implemented by GIZ. Based in Berlin, he works on security cooperation between the EU and Indo-Pacific countries, frequently traveling to Asia to implement strategic initiatives.

Previously, he was a Research Fellow at the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS) at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore, where he is now an Adjunct Fellow. He specialized in radicalization, disengagement in prisons, and the prevention of violent extremism.

Sumpter holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Before his academic career, he worked as a teacher and journalist in various regions around the world. His research interests include radicalization, disengagement, and civil society initiatives against violent extremism, with a particular focus on Indonesia.

Dr. Alamgir Khan is currently a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of Law and Government at Dublin City University (DCU).

He completed his PhD at the University of Dundee, Scotland, in 2021, with a dissertation titled "A Critical Study of Pakistan’s Counterinsurgency Strategy in the Tribal Areas (2001-2014)," which critically assessed Pakistan’s policies for dealing with insurgency in the tribal areas in light of counterinsurgency theories. During his PhD, he also taught several modules at the School of Politics and International Relations at the same university.

Before joining DCU, Dr. Khan worked as an Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Swabi, Pakistan.

His research areas include counterinsurgency, security, and politics in Pakistan, with publications in renowned academic journals.

Cátia Moreira de Carvalho is a researcher specializing in violent extremism, radicalization, foreign fighters, disinformation, and forced migration. She is currently an integrated researcher at IPRI-NOVA, a researcher at Dublin City University, and a visiting researcher at Leiden University.

She holds a PhD in Psychology from the University of Porto and was a visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge. Her work is funded by institutions such as the European Commission, FCT, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Public Safety Canada.

She is a member of the European Researcher Community on Radicalisation (ERCOR) and the EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation. She has taught at various institutions, including the University of Porto and ISPA.

Ana Santos Pinto is an academic and expert in International Relations, serving as an Assistant Professor at NOVA FCSH and a researcher at IPRI-NOVA. She holds a PhD in International Relations, a master's degree in the History of International Relations from ISCTE-IUL, and a bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Relations from the same institution. Her research areas include European security and defense, European Union foreign policy, and Middle Eastern geopolitics.

Between 2018 and 2019, she served as Secretary of State for National Defense, having previously been an Advisor for International Relations at the Ministry of National Defense (2006-2009). She was also a Research Consultant for the UN in the Alliance of Civilizations project. In 2023, she was appointed by the NATO Secretary-General to lead an independent expert group on the Alliance’s southern flank.

Currently, she is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD) and the Advisory Board of the Anna Lindh Foundation. In addition to her academic and institutional activities, she regularly participates in debates and media analyses on international security and foreign policy.

Jorge Moreira da Silva is a Portuguese electrical engineer and politician, currently serving as the Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and UN Assistant Secretary-General since April 2023. He holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Porto and completed a postgraduate program in Advanced Business Management at AESE/IESE Business School. His political career began in the Social Democratic Youth, where he was president from 1995 to 1998, later being elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 1999. In this role, he stood out as the rapporteur for climate change and the author of the directive establishing the European Emissions Trading System.

In Portugal, he held government positions as Secretary of State for Science and Higher Education (2003-2004) and Secretary of State for the Environment and Spatial Planning (2004-2005). Between 2013 and 2015, he served as Minister of Environment, Spatial Planning, and Energy, implementing reforms in the energy, water, waste, and spatial planning sectors. Internationally, he was Director of Development Cooperation at the OECD (2016-2022), leading the secretariat of the Development Assistance Committee.

Beyond his executive roles, he is a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Porto and an Adjunct Professor at Sciences Po in Paris. He is also the founder and president of the think tank "Platform for Sustainable Growth," which promotes sustainable development policies. His work focuses on sustainability, development, and global governance.

Jorge Ryder Torres Pereira, born on March 30, 1956, in Lisbon, is a distinguished Portuguese diplomat with a long career in foreign service. He holds a degree in Medicine from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, where he also served as a guest lecturer. As a scholarship recipient from the National Board for Scientific and Technological Research, he pursued studies in Paris before passing the entrance exam for the diplomatic service in 1986.

Throughout his career, Torres Pereira has held various diplomatic positions. He began as an embassy attaché at the State Secretariat in 1987, later serving as an embassy secretary in London (1990) and Tel Aviv (1995). He was appointed head of the External Policy Services Division in 1997 and promoted to embassy counselor in 1998. Between 2001 and 2002, he served as chargé d’affaires at the Portuguese Embassy in Moscow.

In senior roles, he was Consul-General in Madrid in 2004 and Head of Mission at Portugal’s Representative Office to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah in 2007. In 2010, he became Ambassador to Bangkok, while also serving as a non-resident ambassador to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia. Recognized for his contributions to economic diplomacy, he was named "Economic Diplomat of the Year" by the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Francisco Nobre is a PhD candidate in International Relations at NOVA FCSH and President of YATA Portugal. With a strong academic background and experience in diplomacy and international relations, he has held leadership positions in various organizations.

He completed his Master's degree in Political Science and International Relations at NOVA FCSH (2020-2022), where he was awarded the Best Master's Student of the 2022/2023 Academic Year. His professional trajectory includes key roles such as Secretary-General of the National Federation of European Studies (2022-2024) and International Relations Manager at Universidade Lusófona (2023).

In the public sector, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an intern, working in External Political Affairs. His international experience is further enriched by certifications such as the Winter Course on the People's Republic of China (CECRI) and participation in the London International Model United Nations.

Currently, as President of YATA Portugal, he plays an active role in promoting strategic debate and international cooperation in the fields of security and defense.

Mr Ernesto Ottone R. is the Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO. Prior to this position, Mr Ottone R. served as Chile’s first Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage from 2015 to 2018. As Minister of Culture, he created a Department of First Peoples, a Migrants Unit and strengthened copyright laws and heritage protections. During this time, he also chaired the Regional Centre for the Promotion of Books in Latin America and the Caribbean (2016 – 2017).

From 2011 to 2015, Mr Ottone R. served as Director-General of the Artistic and Cultural Extension Center of the University of Chile, which manages the National Symphony Orchestra of Chile, the Chilean National Ballet (BANCH), the Chile Symphony Choir and the Vocal Camerata. From 2001 to 2010, he held the position of Executive Director at the Matucana 100 Cultural Center in Santiago.

Mr Ottone R. holds a Master's degree in Management of Cultural Institutions and Policies from the University of Paris IX Dauphine (1998) and a Bachelor of Arts in theatre from the University of Chile (1995).

Foreign Policy Council and Executive Director of Ukrainian Prism

Nuno Severiano Teixeira, born on November 5, 1957, in Bissau, Portuguese Guinea, is a distinguished Portuguese academic and politician. He graduated in History from the Faculty of Letters at the University of Lisbon in 1981 and obtained a PhD in Contemporary International Relations History from the European University Institute in Florence in 1994. Later, in 2010, he achieved his Habilitation in Political Science and International Relations from NOVA University Lisbon.

In his academic career, Severiano Teixeira is a Full Professor at NOVA University Lisbon and Director of the Portuguese Institute of International Relations (IPRI-NOVA). He served as Vice-Rector of the university from 2013 to 2017. As a visiting professor, he taught at Georgetown University in 2000 and again from 2017 to 2019. He was also a visiting researcher at the Institute of European Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, in 2004, and at the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute in 2010.

In government, he served as Minister of Internal Administration in Portugal’s 14th Constitutional Government, led by António Guterres, from 2000 to 2002. Later, he was Minister of National Defense in the 17th Constitutional Government, under José Sócrates, from 2006 to 2009. Additionally, he directed the National Defense Institute from 1996 to 2000. Severiano Teixeira has authored numerous publications in the fields of military history, international relations, security and defense, and European integration.

Vitaliy Venislavskyy was born in Ukraine and moved to Aveiro, Portugal, at the age of two. From an early age, he showed a deep interest in history and military strategies, preferring to read encyclopedias rather than children's stories. In school, he stood out for his keen interest in the names of kings and the analysis of military tactics.

Pursuing this passion, he earned a degree in International Relations from the University of Coimbra and is currently completing a Master's in Military History at the University of Lisbon. His master's thesis is titled "The Crimean War (1853-1856): Russia and the Attempt to Control Trade Routes."

Currently, Vitaliy lives in Lisbon and works as a Security and Defense Specialist at the Now channel. Additionally, he is involved in organizations such as EuroDefense Jovem.

To learn more about his career and perspectives, you can listen to his interview on the "A Minha Geração" program on Antena 3.

Vilma Rosaura Palax Tuy is a Guatemalan lawyer and notary with a degree in Legal and Social Sciences. She is the founder and vice president of the organization Descendientes de Guatemaya, which is dedicated to promoting peace, indigenous rights, the preservation of Mayan culture, and youth entrepreneurship.

Additionally, Vilma serves as a Judicial Assistant at the Judicial Branch of Guatemala and is a participant in the KAICIID Fellows Program, an initiative aimed at strengthening interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

Marwan Gill is an Islamic theologian and missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Argentina. Born on May 29, 1990, in Reutlingen, Germany, to Pakistani parents, he pursued his religious education at Jamia Ahmadiyya UK, graduating as a missionary in 2016. Initially, he served in the United Kingdom until September 2017, when he was appointed to lead the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Argentina.

Since his arrival in Argentina, Marwan Gill has been a prominent advocate for interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding. He has participated in significant events, such as the interfaith prayer in memory of the victims of the attack on the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, being the first Muslim representative to do so. Additionally, he hosts a weekly program on Radio Jai, titled "Shalom - Salam, Jewish-Muslim Dialogue," aimed at fostering stronger relationships between communities.

Gill emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between culture and religion, highlighting that Islam promotes peace and harmonious coexistence. Under his leadership, the Ahmadiyya Community in Argentina has actively worked to combat prejudices and promote a deeper understanding of Islam in Argentine society.

Elías Szczytnicki is a prominent leader in the field of interreligious relations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Since 2004, he has served as Secretary-General and Regional Director of Religions for Peace for Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Secretary-General of the Latin American and Caribbean Council of Religious Leaders (LACCRL). In these roles, he has organized high-level meetings between religious leaders and international figures, including Pope Francis, and represents LACCRL at meetings with organizations such as the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), and the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Before joining Religions for Peace, Szczytnicki was Secretary of the Interreligious Committee of Peru. He also participated in the National Executive Committee of the Roundtable for the Fight Against Poverty in Peru and was a professor of Judaism at the Center for Oriental Studies at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP). Originally from Argentina, he has lived in Peru since 1991 and holds a degree in History from PUCP. He also has training in Management of Jewish Organizations from the Latin American Center for Training and Research for Jewish Institutional Leadership (Leatid) and is an alumnus of the Nahum Goldmann Fellowship Program.

His professional career reflects a continuous commitment to interreligious dialogue and the promotion of peace in the region, standing out for his ability to foster collaboration between different religious traditions and international organizations.

Member of the Islamic Community of Lisbon

Program Officer - The International Dialog Center (KAICIID)

Luís Manuel Gonçalves Marques Mendes (born on September 5, 1957, in Azurém, Guimarães) is a Portuguese lawyer, politician, and commentator. He graduated in Law from the University of Coimbra and began his career as a lawyer while also serving as secretary and assistant to the Civil Governor of the Braga District. In the business sector, he held consulting and administrative roles in various institutions. His political career started at the local level as Vice-President of the Fafe Municipal Council and later extended to multiple terms as a Member of Parliament for the Social Democratic Party (PSD).

In government, Marques Mendes held positions in four constitutional administrations, serving as Secretary of State and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. In 2005, he assumed leadership of the PSD, leading the opposition to the Socialist Party until 2007. He was one of the most influential political figures in Portugal during those decades and was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Infante D. Henrique in 2008 for his contributions to the country.

After his political career, Marques Mendes established himself as a leading political commentator, on SIC’s "Jornal da Noite", where he analyzed key national and international political events. The son of lawyer and PSD leader António Marques Mendes, he married Rosa Sofia Pinto Martins Salazar in 1982, with whom he has three children. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his influence in public debate and his ability to interpret Portugal’s political and social challenges.

Nobel Peace Prize 2022