Secretariat

Ilze Jece, Secretary General

Ilze ilze [at] iynf.org

Latvian
Works in IYNF since September 2011

I am a dedicated social change worker and a passionate holistic therapist. In past years, I have delivered diverse workshops on sustainable development, social justice, community building, youth participation and inspirational activism. In past I have marched streets of many countries across the globe to raise awareness on environmental and social causes. As a law graduate I am interested in exploring human rights issues within environmental and social justice movement. As a holistic therapist and body worker I have worked in hospitals, prisons and various educational settings, creating interlinks between human wellness and choices s/he makes towards creating more sustainable and peaceful communities.

My favorite quote: "Live with intention - Walk to the edge - Listen hard - Practice wellness - Play with abandon - Laugh - Choose no regrets - Do what you love - Live as if this is all there is."

Management and steering, HRM, organisational development, policies and regulations, presidium member, fundraising, members and partners affairs, external representation and cooperation.

Adriana Harnuskova, Finance Coordinator

Ivan adriana [at] iynf.org

Born in 1984, Slovak

Works in IYNF since March 2013

Graduated in International Relations at the University of Economics in Bratislava, Slovakia.

After my University studies I embarked on quite an adventure and decided to spend one year volunteering in Brazil. I did a development internship in a youth environmental NGO devoted to support and development of riverside communities in the Amazon Rainforest. I consider this year in a way decisive for my future as apart from finding a Brazilian piece of myself, it has shown me what I am truly passionate about and inspired me to continue working in the field of nature protection & environmental issues and especially with young people. After returning to Europe and before joining the IYNF team, I worked for 2.5 years as the Secretary General of Youth and Environment Europe, another network of young environmentalists seated in Prague.

Things I love: travelling, being in the nature, hiking & jogging, dancing forró (Northeastern Brazilian dance), Brazilian music & culture, photography, drinking green tea & yerba mate.

One of my favorite quotes: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” (Albert Einstein)

Contact me in case you have a question about your travel and project costs reimbursement, your eStore purchase, the rules for spending money in IYNF projects or any other finance-related issues.

Ewa Iwaszuk, Networking Coordinator

Ewa ewa [at] iynf.org

Born in January 1988, Polish
Works in IYNF since July 2011

Graduated in Economics and Business with East European Studies at University College London.

Before I appeared in IYNF office I used to be mostly a student but I also did lots of different things. Apart from travelling whenever and however possible, I used to work as a photographer, coordinator in a volunteering organization, bookcover designer, artistic workshops leader on a children camp, volunteer for Amnesty International, helping hand on music festivals and promotion and communications person for a variety of organizations.
Things that make me happy are low budget travels to developing countries, taking and developing photos, graphic design, bikes, books, arthouse movies, live music, snowboarding.

I have terrible memory for quotations but I agree with Diogenes: "One original thought is worth a thousand mindless quotings."

My fields of work are networking, members and partners affairs, extending IYNF network and partnership building within the network, managing IYNF media and social networks channels, PR and communication - contact me if you have questions concerning any of these fields.

Vika Matuzaite, Youth Mobility Worker

Vika vika [at] iynf.org

Born in October 1986, Lithuanian

My relationship with IYNF was a sheer accident that started September 2011 and led to me becoming a full-time volunteer in Prague.

At some point of my life I've graduated a college where I studied social pedagogy, which is not so significant since studies were more of an outcome of my voluntary experiences in the field rather then vise versa. So it took me some more time to realize that I'm a youth work driven person (the term itself is still rather fresh and barely known in Lithuania). Besides youth work, I'm interested in experiential education, non-formal education, human rights, participatory drama, environmental and animal rights issues, DIY concept put in practise, design and creative means in everything basically.

“You cannot predict the outcome of human development. All you can do is like a farmer create the conditions under which it will begin to flourish.” ― Ken Robinson

Contact me in case you would like to know something or you have some questions regarding the website, our digital newsletters, magazine Tube, the activities that we organise in IYNF or our EVS project.

Henrique Goncalves

henrique [at] iynf.org

Born in July 1986, Portuguese.

Studied art and graduated in architecture.

My first touch with volunteering happened when I was 20 years old, during university. In past years I was involved with several initiatives – working with children, forest protection, organizing cultural activities, fundraising. European Volunteering Service embraced me after I decided to take a step further in the concept of volunteering, willing to expand my knowledge regarding youth work and non formal education. I am very grateful and happy about my role in IYNF, as I have the possibility to apply creative methods in topics where I am passionate like environment, youth work, activism and social change.

Normally I occupy my time with: Drawing, design, playing guitar, festivals, concerts, old movies, bicycles, working out, camping, travelling and parks.

One of my favourite quotes: “Choose your corner, pick away at it carefully, intensely, and to the best of your ability, and that way, you might change the world.” (Charles Eames)

EVS projects, art, design, architecture, workshops, creativity, environment, sustainability. Contact me if you need some inspiration.