Meet Us
Christoph Kusche, President
ENSIS President and a former Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University Lüneburg in Germany. I have more than 20 years of expertise in European lobbying and have been for years a member of the Spring Alliance... Dipl. grad. Social Work / Dramaturge • Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University Lüneburg, Germany (a.D.) • Associated Professor Savonia University Kuopio, Finland (a.D.) • Publisher www.sozialarbeit.de • Head of the research Unit Social Work in Europe • Study-Dean, Dual study Course Social Work, Lüneburg, Germany
Catherine Van Rymenant, Vice President
Profile of a committed and passionate woman: this 53-year-old Belgian woman, originally from Brussels, has been a social worker at the Public Centre for Social Welfare (CPAS) of the City of Brussels since 1995. Honest and authentic from an early age, she has been actively involved in the fight against all forms of discrimination, whether related to gender, nationality, status or disability. In addition to her work at the CPAS, she volunteers in European projects promoting a democratic, social and solidarity-based Europe. She is also deeply committed to ensuring access to culture for all, seeing culture as a tool for empowerment and social inclusion. She sees culture as central to building a fairer and more inclusive society. This profile reveals a person who is deeply committed to social issues and equal rights, and who is determined to create opportunities for those who need them most.
Matthias Schrenk
Matthias Schrenk ◦ Matthias is president of one of our member organization klick e.V. • In his professional job he was 16 years responsible for the youth work in Winsen, Germany. He lead the cultural youth center and organized various international youth exchanges. Currently he manages projects for the relations between the city of Winsen and its twin cities in France and Poland. • He has many years of experience in organizing international projects such as youth exchanges and training programmes. Through this engagement he has a huge network on local and international levels. • He is a trainer in various Erasmus+ training on the topic of Humor and Video and for many years he lead seminars for young leaders. • Matthias consults young people on possibilities to do voluntary work abroad. • Matthias is the main initiator of charity projects within the klick e.V..
Gabriela Braneanu, Project-Coordinator
I am an international project manager, passionate about working with young people and adults through projects that empower them to learn by doing, build networks and communities and work together to generate a positive social impact. - Gabriela has been working with Erasmus+ KA1, KA2 and ESC projects for over 7 years - She is a coordinator, trainer and facilitator on Erasmus+ projects - Gabriela has studies in Psychology and Nutrition and Dietetics - She worked as an ABA Therapist for children, volunteered in India as an English teacher and worked with various international organisations Her diverse experiences, academic achievements and international engagement contributed to her passion for youth development through EU-funded project
Francesco de Lisi
I am one of the founders of ENSIS and support the network communication activities as a volunteer in my free time. I enjoy travelling with my family and friends, reading and discovering new places for hiking. he is currently Coordinator of ENSIS main office in Brussels. He has significant experience in EU affairs, having worked for European network of social NGOs and for an economic lobby in the EU capital from 2005 to 2008 and then, more recently, in 2013-14. In these capacities he has co-managed the implementation of several EU projects in the social sector, aiming in particular at the exchange of good practices among NGOS and at the widest possible dissemination of the results to multiple actors, such as the EU Institutions, the European and national media and the professionals in the sectors across European countries. As an EU affairs specialist he has also acquired relevant skills in the monitoring and formulation of EU policy documents and in the European Public Communication. Aside the EU experience, he has strengthened its competencies in the field of communication and projects’ coordination by working with the United Nations in several capacities.
Maria João Vale
Mariana do Vale Mariana
She is a graphic designer, graduated from the Fine-Arts Faculty of Lisbon. Based in London, she is currently working both as an in-house designer at Yielding and as a freelance designer/illustrator. Thanks for the expressive logo and webdisign.