Steering Group

The work of the Steering Group

The group is coordinated by Kerstin Eckart (DE) from the Schwarzkopf Foundation and the International Office of the EYP in Berlin. It includes eight young interested experts on energy from six European countries who will enable an analysis of energy policy developments in Europe for the whole project timeframe and who ensure a link between the discussions of our young participants at each international forum.

A key element of the project is the organisation of three international youth forums in France, Germany and Poland from 2015 until 2017. That is why the EYP organisation in these three countries sent one representative each to participate in the work of the Steering Group. Furthermore the group encompasses young interested individuals, such as former EYP alumni and PhD students that joined the project due to different motivations and professional backgrounds – but with a special interest in energy issues!

Who's in it

Marine Baghdasaryan (AM)

Marine joins the team with a diverse professional experience in the fields of economics, energy and education. Marine has studied economics in Armenia, and became interested in sustainable development, green financing, and investments in Renewable Energy during her student years. She has received her master’s degree after successfully defending her thesis in the development of Renewable Energy in Armenia. Marine is excited to be part of the EYP “Power Shifts – Reflecting Europe’s Energy” educational project, and believes in the power of young generation to change and make the World a better place to live.

Alexandra Blin (FR)

Alex is studying law and political science in Paris, her main field of interest is international relations. Keen on traveling and meeting different cultures, she has been involved in EYP since 2015. Over sessions she has developed her curiosity about energy issues. In her opinion, energy is essential because it is the beginning of life. In addition, the way we use energy influence everything from global warming to give an affordable energy for EU citizens for their daily life, that why she pays a particular attention on energy issues.

Dimitris Doukas (GR) Dimitris holds a M.Eng. in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and an M.Sc. in Sustainable Energy Systems from the University of Edinburgh. He originally is from Thessaloniki, Greece and is currently doing his Ph.D. studies focussing on superconducting dc transmission challenges and applications in cooperation with the ABB Corporate Research Center in Västerås, Sweden. Additionally, Dimitris has been involved in EYP Greece since 2011 in several roles including being a member of the executive board from 2010 to 2011.

Krzysztof Ignaciuk (PL)

Kris has studied linguistics in Poznan, Stuttgart and Berlin and currently studies public policy at the Hertie School of Governance. Having been involved with the EYP since 2007 and served as President of EYP Poland, he is strongly committed to furthering civic education. Kris is also one of the authors of the European essay “Who, If Not Us?” and has broad expertise as a facilitator, translator and organiser of educational events.

Natalia Tatarchuk (UA)

Running an enterprise dealing with communications in the field of energy Natalia is an active promoter of “Energy Democracy” and conscious approach towards the energy consumption. Natalia received her major degree in economics specialising in strategic planning in Kyiv, Ukraine. She joined EYP in 2007.

Patryk Kulig (PL)

Patryk has studied law in Warsaw and Berlin. Currently working as a junior lawyer specialszing in Alternative Dispute Resolution and commercial law, with special focus on German and Polish real estate and energy law. Patryk contributes to the Team by looking at energy related issues from the perspective of their their legal framework. Since 6 years active in non-governmental sector – member of, i.a.: the EYP Poland, the Polish Forum of Young Diplomats, the Young Polish International Network as well as founder of the European Centre of Arbitration. Life motto: sky is the limit.

Interests: international relations and diplomacy with focus on Western Europe, China & USA.

Hauke Sommer (DE)

Following studies of Mechanical Engineering in the Scotland and California, Hauke started to pursue a career in management consulting in 2015. He has been committed to active European citizenship since 2008 through his activities within the EYP. Within the Power Shifts project, he is dedicated to add perspectives combining technical and business aspects.

Sofia Zafeiriou (GR)

Sofia is currently finishing a MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering in Athens. She has been involved in the European Youth Parliament for over ten years, having acquired experience in organising, planning and running events focusing on youth dialogue. Within the Power Shifts project, she is committed to the development of knowledge infrastructure on energy perspectives. Maker geek, amid xinomavro lover, designs processes.

Aims

During its first physical meeting in November 2015, the Steering Group set the following aims for its work:

• to monitor energy-related topics, to analyse trends and young people’s opinions and to then provide content for the use of participants/EYP Community.
• to provide young people with comprehensive information on Energy policy on both the European and National levels.
• to enable young people to join debates and use (& develop) their energy competence in their respective socio-
• economic environments.
• to explore the possibilities of developing event formats in EYP.

How to reach them?

The Steering Group can be reached via steeringgroup@eyp.org. General inquiries can also be sent to Kerstin Eckart at the International Office of the EYP. She manages the project on behalf of the International Office and chairs the Steering Group. She can be reached via k.eckart@eyp.org.