Kigali City, Rwanda
Relations with Africa, in different domains of crucial importance for the Continent's growth and well-being, have been driving Vincenzo's pathway so far. Creative and internationally-minded polyglot, with a solid track record in International Cooperation and Policy initiatives in global health, R&D and education, food security, livestock and agriculture, in Africa and globally. A strategic thinker with 16+ years experience, including 13+ years in senior / leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry (France and globally), academia (UK-Africa), an NGO (Nigeria), and international organisations (European Commission and African Pharmaceutical Technology Foundation, Rwanda). Skills and experience in partnership, programme and team management and coordination; intercultural diplomacy, negotiation, communication; external relations; R&D; business development and education. Strong cultural links and in-country experience with Africa (e.g. Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya and Uganda) and Japan. Currently working at the European Commission, responsible for EU-Africa Cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation, with bilateral responsibilities for the cooperation with Rwanda, Nigeria and South Africa. EU Chair of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda Working Group and Sherpa of the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking. Alumnus of University of Bari, University of Edinburgh, Sciences Po Paris and The Graduate Institute, Geneva. // DVM (Hons), PhD, DipEVPC, DipACVM, MDP. Beyond his professional engagements, Vincenzo has a rich musical background, having led hip-hop / reggae / dancehall / afrobeat musical projects and bands internationally, as a lyricist, MC, composer and front-man since 2003 (IG: @cosmo_postman | https://soundcloud.com/wtf_project).
• Responsible for multilateral cooperation with the African Union and bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Rwanda, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Republic of South Africa. • EU Chair of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda Working Group of the AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science, Technology and Innovation. • Sherpa of the Governing Board of the Global Health European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership 3 (EDCTP3) Joint Undertaking. • Member of the Working Group of the AU-EU Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) • Supporting bilateral cooperation with ASEAN countries too.
Holding lectures on Africa-Europe relations, Research & Innovation cooperation policies and partnerships, Science Diplomacy, Planetary Health socio-economics and policy, International and Intercultural Negotiation and Diplomacy, Communication on Science to Non-Scientists - to Master's students of the programmes on "Management, Innovation & Sustainability" and "International Law".
[USALTI-Afrique provides training, mentoring and capacity building opportunities to students, scientists and laboratory personnel studying infectious diseases of economic and public health relevance to Africa] • Founder of USALTI-Afrique unit; conceived the unit’s strategy and vision • Supervising, training and lecturing postgraduate (MSc, PhD) research students, post-doctoral and visiting scientists • Established partnerships with research institutions and universities in Africa, Europe and the UK
- Lecturing on Science Diplomacy and Africa-Europe relations and International Development - Facilitating workshops on teambuilding, leadership, communication and negotiation addressed to Master’s students of the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) at Science Po.