Our Legacy: Founders & Past Presidents
Abdelkarim Skouri
Co-Founder & President 2022-2023
Abdelkarim is an early career professional with a keen interest in foreign policy, diplomacy, and geoeconomics. He currently works as a Research Associate at the Luiss School of Government, where he focuses on security and cooperation trends in the Mediterranean region. Abdelkarim holds a degree in International Relations from Luiss University and previously studied Political Science at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and Sciences Po.
In addition to co-founding LUSDA, Abdelkarim was an ISPI G20 Global Ambassador in 2023. He has also participated in various international conferences, including the PCNS Atlantic Dialogues, the NDCF Arab Geopolitics Conferences, and the ECAM Council Rome Summits.
Manon Sophie Vogel
Co-Founder & President 2022-2023
I graduated from LUISS with a Master’s degree in International Relations with a focus on peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and geopolitics. I am driven by a strong passion for promoting multilateral diplomacy and collaboration, particularly in the face of conflicts and emergencies.
Karim and I founded LUSDA to create a unique platform at LUISS where Italian and international students can connect and engage with each other, as well as with the vibrant diplomatic network in Rome and beyond. Coming from a business and management background myself, I firmly believe that LUSDA, like diplomacy, serves as a community for students from diverse fields and backgrounds.
Since then, I've had the privilege of gaining professional experience at the German Embassy in Rome, the United Nations in Vienna, and the European Commission in Brussels. I currently serve as a Humanitarian Desk Officer for Ukraine at the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO).
Feel free to reach out - I’m always happy to connect! When in Rome, you can usually find me at Sal de Riso!
Maïliss Deconche
Co-President 2023-2024
As a soon-to-be-graduating Franco-Swiss Master student of International Relations with a major in Security, I have served as Co-President for the 2023-2024 academic year and truly enjoyed bringing closer the world of diplomacy to the LUISS student community.
I initially obtained a Bachelor’s degree with a focus on languages (English, Swedish and Dutch), cultures and linguistics and then decided to head towards international affairs due to my interest for diplomacy and geopolitics (which also satisfies my passion for learning about different cultures and languages). My interests include, but are not limited to, peacebuilding, human rights and counterterrorism. After many experiences abroad, including an internship at the United Nations in New York, I am eager to see what the future holds and I look forward to exploring new countries and new cultures.
Guglielmo Di Nino
Co-President 2023-2024
Graduate student in International Relations at Luiss with an enriching exchange semester spent at SciencesPo Paris, Guglielmo has served as Co-President of Lusda for the 2023-2024 academic year. While currently pursuing his education with an advanced program in Diplomatic Studies, Guglielmo is working at the World Food Programme Executive Board Secretariat in the Conference Servicing Unit. With a solid academic background including an internship at the Italian Embassy in Kyiv, Guglielmo has a strong dedication to promoting international cooperation. These diverse experiences reflect his deep passion for diplomacy, history and sport, as well as an unrelenting curiosity for anything ‘’international‘’.