I am a 21-year-old Romanian queer student, LGBTQIA+ activist, movies addict, traveller and have a big passion for photography. My work is based on organising events for my community and coordinating the volunteers in my organisation but I also organise a movie festival every year for teenagers to find a safe space for art, education and promoting themselves. I am always excited about new experiences and learning about cultures, people and ideas.

My name is Paula Cerescu, I’m 19 years old and I live in Moldova. I started my activism volunteering at GENDERDOC-M Information Centre, the only organization protecting and advancing LGBT rights in our small country. Then, in 2018, I began working as the coordinator of the LGBT Community Development Programme, so my main engagement is to coordinate, organize and inform about events that aim to empower the LGBTQ+ community.

I believe that youth are already changing the world for the better and that a lack of experience can be a greater resource than existing experience, that is closed to anything new. I also believe in human’s flexibility and ability to change, as well as in the power of doubting our beliefs from time to time.

I highly value non-formal education and last year I participated at the Activist Academy, which contributed to my formation and development as an activist.

This is why this year I decided to apply as a mentor, and I’m really looking forward to it!

My name’s Louis Goddard-Glen, I’m from the UK and I can’t wait to be a mentor for this years Activist Academy! I’m a budding young activist of 19 years of age, aiming for equality in the UK. A large problem at the moment in the UK is complacency, which I aim to phase out and make aware problems the UK are facing in terms of LGBTQ+ rights. I’m interested in LGBTQ+ activism (clearly), environmental activism, and other forms of social activism.

My name is Nina and I’m a 24 year-old Finnish activist living and studying in South of Sweden. I have vast experience in NGOs and student politics and my queer activism journey started a few years ago from the LGBTQIA+ Student association at my university. I have since gotten involved on a national level and am currently the president of the Swedish Federation of LGBTQIA+ Students SFQ. I love traveling, signing up for new study programs and courses – and usually also completing them and last but not least dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages!

I am a 19-year-old student, queer activist, and an animal lover from Georgia. I am passionate about volunteering, which is how I started my involvement in an NGO – Equality Movement, where I work for a project focusing on HIV-related issues among key populations. My participation in IGLYO’s Activist Academy in 2018 improved my numerous skills and helped me connect with interested and like-minded people. I hope to ensure the same experience for participants in 2019 and this is my motivation to be a mentor for the Activist Academy this year.

My other interests include hiking, camping, traveling. I love experiencing different cultures and learning new languages.