Who We Are

The IPLI Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to the mission of supporting academic and applied research initiatives aimed at analyzing ongoing development and multi-dimensional human security public policy issues in Europe, the broader Mediterranean region and Africa.

IMG_1216_Col .jpg

How We Work

Based in Brussels, the IPLI Foundation cooperates closely with its network of academic institutions and research institutions to support both educational and applied research in the fields of development and multi-dimensional human security public policy issues. The IPLI Foundation's key activities include providing support on both an institutional and individual basis. On an institutional basis, the IPLI Foundation cooperates with its network of associate institutions to enable a variety of ongoing research projects. On an individual basis, the IPLI Foundation periodically offers scholarships & awards to give innovative researchers, both at the graduate and post-graduate level, the chance to pursue their public policy research projects further.

Antonio Martins da Cruz - Chairman

Ambassador da Cruz has held a long and distinguished career in both diplomatic service and as a policy maker in Portugal. His extensive experience includes service as foreign affairs advisor to the Prime Minister of Portugal and head of the Diplomatic department of the Prime Minister's office. Ambassador da Cruz has also held distinguished positions as Portugal's Ambassador to NATO and Spain. In 2002, Ambassador da Cruz was both Foreign Minister of Portugal and served as the Chairman-on-Office of the OSCE. Ambassador da Cruz continues today to use his wide breadth of experience as an advisor on various international policy issues.

Timothy Reno - Executive Director

Timothy Reno holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from Sciences Po Paris. He is a guest lecturer at Hertie School in Berlin and also manages Policy Simulator Lab (PSL), an initiative that develops simulation games for use as pedagogical tools to support interactive learning about policy making processes within the European Union. In addition, Timothy is an associated researcher with Lusíada University in Lisbon.

José Francisco Lynce Zagalo Pavia - Senior Advisor

José Pavia is a professor at Lusíada University in Lisbon and coordinator of Lusíada University’s International Relations Department. He holds a PhD in International Relations and Political Science. Professor Pavia has published extensively and his expertise is focused on issues related to Portuguese foreign policy, maritime security, NATO and Lusophone African countries.

Bayram Balcı - Senior Advisor

Bayram Balcı holds degrees in political science and in Arab and Islamic studies from Sciences Po Grenoble and Aix-en-Provence. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on Turkish Islamic movements and their missionary activities in post-Soviet Central Asia. His current research focuses on Islam and politics in the former Soviet Union and on Turkey in its regional environment (Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Middle East). Bayram manages Turkey focused research at the Centre de recherches internationales (CERI) at Sciences Po in Paris.

Godfrey Pirotta - Advisor

Ambassador Professor Godfrey Pirotta is the Chairman of the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies. During his career he has helped to pioneer the study of public administration politics and public policy in Malta and to extend interest in the international study of micro states. He has represented Malta in various international policy forums and he is regularly invited abroad to discuss the strategic importance of Malta as a center for dialogue on Mediterranean public policy issues.

Letitia Roman - Project Coordinator

Letitia Roman studied at the Hertie School in Berlin where she obtained a Master's degree in International Affairs. Her research focus includes European Union governance, international security and public policy. Letitia also coordinates research and development at Policy Simulator Lab (PSL).