Moderator: Filip Vulović Progamme Assistant at Civil Rights Defenders and Pride Belgrade Representative

Biography:

Filip Vulović is human rights activist from Belgrade, Serbia, with a years-long experience in the LGBTI+ movement, as well as transitional justice and post-war reconciliation among youth in the Western Balkans. Filip works at Civil Rights Defenders, an international human rights organization that supports human rights defenders and organizations around the globe, and is a member of the Operational Board of Belgrade Pride. Filip owns a BA in Organizational Science Engineering and has focused his academic studies towards Corporate Social Responsibility related to LGBTI+ causes. He was one of the lead organizers of EuroPride 2022 in Belgrade, during which he organized the International Human Rights Conference, as well as many events during Pride Week itself. Filip is also a lecturer on the topics of gender identity and sexuality, as he held many training courses and lectures for social workers, volunteers and human rights defenders on these topics.

Dina Bajraktarević Administrative Director at Tuzla Open Centre, Pride Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Biography:

Dina Bajrektarević is a passionate feminist, anti-fascist, and relentless fighter for the rights of LGBTI individuals. Born and raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina, she dedicated nearly a decade of her life to the advocacy and activism sphere, leaving an indelible mark on her community. From 2015 to 2023, Dina was a driving force within the Tuzla Open Center, a local organization dedicated to advancing the rights and visibility of LGBTI people. Dina’s remarkable contributions to the cause did not go unnoticed. In 2021, she was honored with the prestigious “Heroine of the Generation” award in the civic activism category in Tuzla Canton, recognizing her outstanding dedication and impact. The following year, in 2022, she received the esteemed title of “Heroine of Her Community,” further cementing her status as a beacon of hope and progress.

A staunch advocate for LGBTI rights and gender equality, Dina extends her advocacy to intersecting causes, serving as a vocal ally for individuals with disabilities and the Roma community. Her inclusive approach underscores the importance of solidarity and collaboration in the pursuit of justice.

Apostolis Karabairis Director at Thessaloniki Pride

Biography:

Apostolis Karabairis, born in 1982, has got an academic background in area studies (Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies) and conducted field research in Bosnia and Herzegovina. His professional career started as a resident researcher in Greek think tanks in Athens. In 2012 he moved to civic activism by being one of the founding members of Thessaloniki Pride. He has served as its office director and is also part of the EuroPride 2024 organising team. Besides Thessaloniki Pride, Apostolis has been involved in some educational and youth projects and has been a steering board member of Thessaloniki’s civil society organisations network.

Xheni Karaj Co-Founder & Executive Director at Aleanca LGBT Organization, Co-Founder & Board Director at STREHA

Biography:

Xheni is one of the most influential LGBTI+ activists and feminists in Albania and the Western Balkan region. She is passionately involved with capacity building, lobbying and advocacy to empower the rights of the LGBTI+ community. In 2009 she founded Aleanca of which she is the Executive Director, an LGBTI+ organisation in Tirana that envisions a free, open and equal Albania embracing diversity, inclusivity and gender equality for everyone. In 2012 she was one of the organisers of the Albania’s first ever Pride Parade. Today Aleanca supports yearly up to 500 members of the LGBTI community all around the country and is still one of the main organiser of Tirana Pride.

For years Xheni was the only openly lesbian woman in Albania, after having come out on national television during a heated TV-debate. Through this event she became a spokesperson for the Albanian LGBTI+ community overnight, a role that makes her constantly exposed to threats ranging from hate speech and harassment to death and rape threats, for which she has been included from 2013 on the Natalia Project. Despite this, Xheni stays committed to changing perceptions and stigmas. In 2020 she was awarded by Civil Rights Defenders as The Human Right Defender of the Year.

She is also a co-founder and Board Director of STREHA, Albania’s first residential shelter for ostracised LGBTI+ people, the first of its kind in the whole Eastern Europe which has been home of more than 200 young LGBTI+ people from Albania and Kosovo, who have been kicked out and disowned by their families.

In addition to working actively to supporting LGBTI+ people and making their voices heard, Xheni is committed to changing legislation. For many years she has advocated for the approval of new anti-discriminatory legislation and the implementation of anti-discrimination policies, the recognition of same-sex unions and the rights of same sex parents. She is currently fighting alongside a lesbian couple who are fighting to both be registered as parents of their children, which is currently not possible in Albania.

Nenad Radovanovic Senior Manager Service & Repair Italy, Greece, Germany, Alpines at Medtronic and Co-leader of the Global Pride Network’s Partnerships

Biography:

Nenad Radovanovic is a Senior Manager at Medtronic overseeing Service & Repair operations across Italy, Germany, the Alpines, and Greece. With a professional tenure at Medtronic beginning in 2008, Nenad has played pivotal roles ranging from IT Integrated Health Solutions to his current focus in Service and Repair. His efforts are deeply rooted in nurturing an inclusive work environment and a culture of equity.

Nenad co-leads the Global Pride Network’s Partnerships workstream and serves as a Strategy Advisor for Pride Italia and Pride Europe & Beyond. His contributions have been integral in fostering safe spaces within the workplace and promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Born in Split, Croatia, and educated in Belgrade, Serbia and Ancona, Italy, Nenad now lives in Milan with his husband and children. His personal experiences as a parent and leader have shaped his empathetic and results-driven approach to both life and work. Nenad is known for his reliability, emotional intelligence, and commitment to empowering others, leveraging his skills in listening, problem-solving, and team collaboration.

As a mentor, Nenad is dedicated to guiding others through their career and personal development journeys, influenced by his own experiences of growth and challenge.

Simeon Vasilev Member of Sofia Pride’s Organizing Committee, Chairman of GLAS Foundation

Biography:

SIMEON VASILEV is Chairman of GLAS foundation, protecting and promoting the equal rights and acceptance of LGBTI people in Bulgaria, since 2014. He has over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector and background of public relations and event management. Simeon is winner of the Shofar award of the Bulgarian Jewish Organization Shalom for his continuous efforts into combating hate-speech and US Alumni of the International Visitors Leadership Programme. Part of Sofia Pride’s Organizing Committee.