I have a long experience (12 years) in the private sector, holding positions of responsibility and developing managerial and marketing skills. During the last 13 years, I have been dedicated to international cooperation, journalism, and the academy.

I’m a Magister Scientiae (MSc) of Contemporary Studies of Latin America for the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM),  the University of the Republic of Uruguay (UDELAR), and the University of Costa Rica (2020). In addition, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in “Science for Peace: international cooperation and conflict transformation” from the University of Pisa, in 2012. I also achieved an advanced study diploma in Geopolitics at SIOI in Rome, (2015) and a specialization in Social and Legal Sciences at UC3M (2016). I’m currently a Ph.D. student in the ADVANCED STUDIES IN HUMAN RIGHTS program of the Gregorio Peces-Barba Institute of Human Rights.

Since 2010  have worked in various contexts of international cooperation in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Between 2013 and 2015, I  have been working in the field towards UN projects (UNHCR) in support of the refugee population in Ecuador. Since 2016 I have been carrying out the role of international consultant for development cooperation projects and humanitarian interventions. In 2021 I held the role of Country Manager for the NGO Rescate Venezuela and from February to June 2022, I have been Responsible for Latin America and the Caribbean region of the Every Woman Treaty international coalition, representing the same organization at the Summit of the Americas that took place in Los Angeles (California, USA), on 6 to June 10.

I have collaborated, published and give conferences as an expert in International Cooperation, Migration, Human Rights, Indigenous People and topics related to Latin America and the Caribbean, with several universities: at University of Pisa (Italia), at University of Roma Tor Vergata, at University of Roma Tre, at SIOI (Italian Association for the United Nations – UNA Italia) at University of Padua, at Alma Mater Studorium – Università di Bologna, at Università degli studi di Enna “Kore”, at Università di Modena, at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Madrid), at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, at Universidad de Alcalá de Henares (Spain), at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, at Escuela Diplomatica (Madrid),  at Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (Madrid), at Universidad Politécnica de Valencia UPV, at Sciences PO (Paris) IAEN – La Universidad de Posgrado del Estado (Ecuador),  Universidad Libre (Bogotá, Colombia), Universidad Nacional de Colombia, at Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (El Salvador), at Universidad Tecnológica de El Salvador, at University of Sonora (México), at Universidad Politécnica de Nicaragua – UPOLI, and at Universidad Católica Andrés Bello – UCAB (Caracas, Venezuela).

Currently, I’m a lecturer and academic researcher at the Institute of International and European Studies ” Francisco de Vitoria ” UC3M and I’m also the Academic Coordinator of the Máster de Acción Solidaria Internacional y de Inclusión Social (best master in International Cooperation’s field in Spain, according to the ranking of El Mundo 2017, 2018 and 2022). I’m a member of UC3M’s research group  “Globalization, integration processes, and international cooperation” and a member of UC3M’s cooperation group “International Solidarity, Culture, International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights “.

I’m part of the interdisciplinary group of experts promoted by the “Francisco de Vitoria” Institute on “Venezuela’s situation and reconciliation perspective“. In this group, I do research on the Venezuelan migration phenomenon, realizing conferences, and write papers on this topic.  In this research context, I have developed a project published in Spain by El País, aimed to show the gender impact in the Venezuelan exodus: Mapa de las mujeres venezolanas migrantes y refugiadas muertas y desaparecidas en el extranjero.

I have completed several specialization courses in emergency humanitarian intervention (Spanish Red Cross) communication for the Non Profit sector (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna), evaluation of the quality of humanitarian aid (Institute of Studies on Conflicts and Humanitarian Action – IECAH), and creation/management of cooperation projects for development.

Since 2017  I’m working as a teacher for the Italian platform, dedicated to the training of cooperation operators, ONG 2.0 (Turin – Italy) developing online conferences and courses. Through the same organization, since January 2020, I’m offering a personalized mentoring service for people who want to build a career in the international cooperation sector.

Also, in 2017 I started a collaboration as a teacher and advisor, with the International School of Management for the third sector, Social Change School (based in Madrid), and from September 2018 to December 2020, I have been covering (for the same institution),  the charge of International Director for Americas. I also have been, from January 2020 to December 2021,  the coordinator of the International Master in Project Management for International Cooperation, Euro-Project Management, and Local Development, and currently, I am collaborating as Senior Strategic Advisor and Lecturer with the School.

In 2018 I was selected and awarded a scholarship, as an expert on Human Rights in the Latin American regional context, to participate in the XXXVI interdisciplinary course on human rights carried out in Costa Rica by the IIHR and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights-IACHR. 

Since January 2020, I’m part, as a  teacher and researcher, at the Ibero-American Observatory on Human Mobility, Migration and Development (OBIMID) of the Comillas Pontifical University (Spain) and, from June of the same year, I’m part of the Centro di Ricerca Interuniversitario Americhe Romanze (CRIAR) based in the Università degli Studi di Milano (Italy).  Specifically, I’m operating inside the research group of the Università degli Studi di Padova (co-founder of the center).

In 2020, through SIOI, I participated as a project developer and teacher in the “Business and Human Rights” course, promoted by Poste Italiane (Italian Postal Service) for its 134,000 employees. In the same year, I started a collaboration (which continues to this day) with the television group Mediaset, for the production of reports and TV programs in Latin America: Le IENE (Colombia and Peru), EMIGRATIS (Brazil).

I have been ( and I am) a technical advisor, collaborator, and writer on issues related to Latin America, international cooperation, and human rights for NGOs, enterprises,  magazines, newspapers, radios, and TV, both Italian and foreigners:

Italy

Rainews24, Rai 1 Radio, Il Fatto Quotidiano, La Repubblica , AGI – Agenzia Giornalistica Italia , Corriere di Roma, L’Azione,  Viversani e Belli , Centro Valle Giornale di Sondrio  , WOTS Magazine , Momenti di Gordona , Centro Gandhi Edizioni, Xlestrade , Il Grande Colibrì , Job4good , Radio Popolare , Rivista Democrazia e Sicurezza (Università di Roma 3), Centro Interdisciplinare Scienze per la Pace (Università di Pisa), International Career Festival, IDOS – Centro Studi e Ricerche sull’immigrazione, Centro e Rivista Confronti, Associazione AMIStaDeS – Fai amicizia con il sapere, Radio Blackout, Cospe Onlus, Oltremare (rivista dell’AICS), Osservatorio Diritti, Geopolitica.info, CVCS centro volontari cooperazione allo sviluppo, Greenreport.it, Economia Italia, Officina dei Giornalisti, Apurimac, Associazione Luca Coscioni, Comune di Morbegno, Unità Migranti Italia ,  Le IENE, OGzero e  Treccani;

Spain

El País, ABC, El Español, Revista Innovamos (Revista de divulgación educativa), Revista – Tiempos de Paz – della ONG Movimiento por la Paz – MPDL , Thomson Reuters España, CEIB – Centro de Estudios de Iberoamérica URJC  (Universidad Rey Juan Carlos), NGO SODEPAZ, el Instituto de estudios internacionales y europeos “Francisco de Vitoria” (Universidad Carlos III), OBIMID –  Observatorio Iberoamericano sobre Movilidad Humana, Migraciones y Desarrollo de la Universidad Pontificia Comillas, Escuela de Guerra del Ejercito de España, Escuela Diplomática.

Latin America and the Caribbean, and the USA

Radio Caracas Radio (Venezuela), UN Radio – UNIMEDIOS, la radio de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia (Colombia e Paraguay), Radio YSUCA 91.7 FM – Sembrando Futuro (El Salvador), Radio Cultura FM 100.9 (Ecuador), NGO Un Grano de Arena (Venezuela e USA) , Ediciones doctrina y ley (Colombia), Revista Cuaderno Jurídico y Político (Universidad Politécnica de Nicaragua), EVtv Miami, Tu Pais Fundation, Agenda de Estado de Derecho,  Presidencia interina de Venezuela and e  Voice of America en español (VOA);

I have been the author of the Blog “Civis Mundi – Diego Battistessa“(2014-2021), a communication project focused on international cooperation and human rights, written in three languages and which has reached 1.5 million views. In November 2018 it was published by Graphofeel Edizioni (Rome) my agile and updated guide for those wishing to enter the world of international cooperation. The project was created in collaboration with NGO 2.0 and Social Change School and is titled: Vorrei fare il cooperante: come trasformare un sogno in una professione.  In May 2020 I published the essay “AmericaLatinaa. Donna forte e insorgente” to offer the Italian public a text that promotes a vision of the region outside of Euro-centric, colonial and patriarchal stereotypes. In November 2021, Arcoiris editions published my latest essay ” “America Latina afrodiscendente: Una Storia di (R)esistenza” which presents a counter-history of the Latin American region, framed in the International Decade for Afro-descendants (2015-2024) promoted by the United Nations.

I have lived, worked, or realized studies / academic research in Italy, Spain, India, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, USA, Venezuela, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador, Colombia, Perú, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Panama, Mexico, and Brazil.

Moreover, I have cultivated an internationalist vocation and a particular curiosity about the different cultures of the world and that is why, until today, I have traveled to 79 different countries on 4 continents.

“Fraternity is not a principle, It is a lifestyle”

Diego Battistessa