Agenda

Valeria Betancourt has led APC's policy work since 2010. She is a longtime activist in the fields of human rights and the internet, digital technologies for development, digital inclusion and internet governance in the context of the global South. In 2013 and 2015, Valeria was awarded a LACNIC Outstanding Achievement Award and a FRIDA Programme Recognition for contributing to the development of internet policies.She is currently a member of the IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group. Her background is in sociology and political science. She holds a Master's degree in cultural studies and communication. She lives in Spain.

Callum Watson is a Gender Coordinator and Programme Manager at the Small Arms Survey. He currently manages projects linking small arms control and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. This includes supporting women's meaningful participation and the integration of a gender perspective into national action plans on small arms, and national strategies to counter improvised explosive devices. At the international level, he promotes the Survey's research to support evidence-based policymaking on ensuring gender-responsiveness within the framework of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the Arms Trade Treaty and the Global Ammunition Framework. He also supports gender mainstreaming at the Survey more broadly. Callum has previously worked on peacekeeping, military education, men and masculinities and gender bias in the justice sector. Callum holds a BSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a Master in International Affairs from the Geneva Graduate Institute.

Xhanan Karaqa is the Head of the Security Sector at NLB Banka Prishtina, bringing over 15 years of expertise in information security within the banking industry. She has served as Chair of the Security Committee at the Kosovo Banking Association (KBA) and remains an active member of its Information Security Committee.

Xhanan holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Prishtina and is an alumna of the UK’s Chevening Cybersecurity Fellowship. She is certified as a CISM, CIPP/E, and ISO 27001 Lead Implementer.

Passionate about promoting cybersecurity awareness and privacy protection, particularly among girls, Xhanan serves as President of Women4Cyber Kosovo. Through this role, she advocates for the increased inclusion of women in the cybersecurity field across the country.

Emmanuella Ntim Darkwah is a Senior Manager, International Cooperation, at the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Ghana. Her role entails being the focal point for all bilateral and multilateral engagements and leading the implementation of the institution's international cooperation mandate. She is an experienced cyber diplomat and is among the first cohort of the Women in International Security and Cyber (WIC) Fellowship. She actively participates as a member of Ghana’s delegation in the United Nations’ OEWG in ICT in the context of International Security and previously the UNODC Ad Hoc Committee to elaborate an international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes.. She also provides mentorship for upcoming cyber diplomats in the region through the ITU-GIZ Her Cyber tracks programme. Prior to working with the CSA, Emmanuella worked with organizations like the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHABITAT), the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM) and with media houses in Kenya and Ghana. Emmanuella has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Media Studies, specializing in Development Communication from the University of Nairobi, Kenya and a Master of Arts in Conflict, Peace and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Ghana. In addition to these, she has undertaken various certifications in cybersecurity, international law, and multilateral negotiations.

Leonora Hasani has led efforts to strengthen cybersecurity governance and resilience in the Western Balkans, focusing on inclusive policy development, regional cooperation, and capacity building. Through her work, she has facilitated collaboration among public institutions, private sector actors, and civil society to advance national and regional cybersecurity strategies, with a strong emphasis on sustainable and multi-stakeholder approaches.