ASAP Romania continues the work of ASAP International in trying to bridge theorists and practitioners focused on poverty issues. Thus, it intends to develop a local network of experts that can further become a leading voice in regional development, as Eastern European countries share common pasts, practices and problems. Besides contributing to ASAP International projects, our plan is to build partnerships with organizations focused on poverty and international development issues and to develop projects tackling local and regional poverty. Another part of our work is represented by participating to national conferences, workshops and debates related to the post-2015 development agenda. One of our main ambitions is to encourage and advocate the adoption of a multidimensional poverty indicator able to highlight gender-based and intra-household poverty gaps in Romania. Also, ASAP Romania aims to help young experts and students to build expertise in the field through internships and volunteer work.

To learn more or get involved, contact Diana Velica at diana.velica@gmail.com.

For updates, visit ASAP Romania on Facebook.

Photos from ASAP Romania’s presentation at the Romanian Development Camp in Sinaia,  July 2014

People

Board Members and Founders of ASAP Romania

Diana Velica is currently researching issues related to the post-2015 development agenda and human rights. Diana earned her M.A. from the University of Bucharest in International Development Studies and International Relations Ethics with a dissertation called Issues of Global Justice: Is the Arms Trade Violating the Human Rights? She holds a B.A. from the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Bucharest, with a thesis focused on small arms and light weapons’ proliferation in the context of globalization. Diana was a Visiting Assistant in Research at Yale University within the Global Justice Program in the fall of 2013. Her expertise is built through volunteer work and internships in various organizations such as Making Commitments Matter, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Academics Stand Against Poverty.

Diana Rusu holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Babeș-Bolyai University – Faculty of Political, Administrative and Communication Sciences, and an MA in International Relations and European Studies from the Central European University of Budapest. She has been involved in the activities of several NGOs mainly addressing the issues of citizenship and youth policies. Between 2010 and May 2013 she held various positions within the UNDP Romania: intern, project assistant and consultant. In 2010, Diana was awarded a scholarship for a summer school on international development organized by the UNDP in collaboration with CEU. Her areas of interest are: post-2015 development agenda, the role of private sector in development, innovation and sustainable development.

Cristian Gogu holds an MA degree in Global Political Economy from the University of Kassel, where he graduated with a dissertation on the economic and monetary union and its role in the management of the financial crisis in Europe. He previously graduated from the Faculty of Political Science, University of Bucharest, with a thesis focused on the relationship between liberalism and democracy – the limits of the democratic decision. His academic activity is complemented by internships within the Permanent Mission of Romania to the UN and Academics Stand Against Poverty and he also activate in various student organizations at the local and national level. His current research interests are the post-2015 sustainable development agenda and financing for development.

Ștefan Cibian is currently visiting professor at the MA Program in International Development of Babeș-Bolyai University and program development coordinator at the Association for Community Relations – Community Foundations Program. His academic interests are in international relations theory and development policy, development aid, international organizations, peace-building, global health, and state-building with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. He is focusing in his research particularly on statehood and development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ștefan received a BA in Political Science and a BA in Law after studying at Babeș-Bolyai University; “1st of December 1918” University; University of Salzburg; and University of Ljubljana. He holds an MA in Public Policy and a Ph.D. in Political Science-International Relations and European Studies from Central European University. Ștefan has worked for the European Commission in Brussels and Dakar and has been teaching assistant at CEU.

 PR and Communications

Mihai Mija  is PR and Communications Coordinator for ASAP Romania. He graduated with his Masters in the Governing and Society Program from the department of Political Science at the National School of Political and Administrative Studies, Bucharest, with a dissertation focused on country branding in Romania. Mihai earned his B.A. in Management and Marketing at the Romanian-American University in Bucharest. His areas of interest are branding, political marketing, communication and public relations.

Other Members

Ovidiu Caraiani: Ovidiu Caraiani is currently Associate Professor in Politics, University Politehnica of Bucharest, and Honorary Research Fellow at Cardiff University. His publications include two volumes on John Rawls with contribution from Onora O’neill, Thomas Pogge, Catherine Audard and Rex Martin. As a Fellow of New Europe College he organized Thomas Pogge’s first major public conference on international justice in Romania, in 2001. During the last years Ovidiu was involved and delivered papers for the conferences on Global Justice held at University of Bucharest. He is member of ASAP since 2009.