1. What did you do after Global Governance?

After I completed Global Governance a fantastic (global) journey began! First, I moved to Sweden where I completed an M.Sc. in Disaster Risk Management & Climate Change Adaptation at Lund University. This experience I also had the chance to do an internship in the north of Sumatra, Indonesia, where I specialized in Tsunami Mitigation, as well as to conduct field research in Senegal where I developed my degree project on the interconnection between climate change and migration. Upon graduation, I joined different short-term volunteering or work-related projects in Italy, Japan and the Canary Islands. After that, I moved to Istanbul where I have been living and working from November 2019 until January 2021, when I moved to Peniche, Portugal, taking advantage of the pandemic situation to work remotely.

 

2. What are you doing now?

Currently, I’m working as a Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation specialist with a Turkish consultancy company. Collaborating with partners such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), AFAD (the National Disaster Agency), TURKONFED  (one of the leading Turkish Business Associations) and other Civil Society Organizations, we provide services related to resilience and capacity building, risk mitigation and adaptation to climate change. 

 

In parallel, I am also the co-founder and leader of Ostia Clean-Up, an environmental NGO based in Rome whose purpose is involving the local community in the fight against plastic pollution and climate change.

 

3. Why did you choose to study Disaster Risk Management & Climate Change Adaptation at Lund University? 

I believe one of the best ways to expand mental borders is by travelling across physical borders. Ever since we had the first class of Natural Disasters Prevention & Reaction in the first year with Prof. Ergin, I was sure this was the path I wanted to follow with a post-graduation programme first, and possibly with a professional career later. The M.Sc. in DRMCCA at Lund University is one of the best options in Europe - if not in the world - for studying this subject while gaining field experience. So I was really enthusiastic when I received the results of my application. Another factor that brought me to Sweden, although secondary, is that in this country education for European citizens is entirely tax-free. This gave me a chance to gain financial independence from my family, which was a target I had set for myself at the beginning of the BA.

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4. How did your time at Global Governance contribute to your academic and personal development?

Frankly speaking, I can’t really imagine the person I am today without Global Governance’s contribution. From an academic standpoint, it empowered me with several interdisciplinary notions and ideas that I still find myself drawing from my mental library today. Besides, it really allowed me to broaden my horizons and gave me the tools to pursue a career in a field that in Italy a few people know of. Lastly, it consolidated and strengthened my English skills especially in writing and public speaking, which considerably facilitated embarking on projects and activities out of my home country.

Global Governance also supported my personal growth through the sharing of values, experiences and most importantly an amazing network of friends I still cherish today. Compared to other programmes, GG has the added value of bringing students from the first and third year closely together, as well as to connect them with the ever-increasing number of alumni who graduate every year. The outcome is an incredible network of like-minded people who can always rely on each other for personal, academic and professional support.

 

5. Is there any work/project/challenge you started or overcame thanks to what you learned at GG? if yes, which one and how? 

In the March of 2019, upon my return from Indonesia, in collaboration with two friends, I co-founded an organization for young and creative environmentalists proposing innovative solutions for the fight against plastic pollution and climate change. This organization, named Ostia Clean-Up, was built following one of the pillars supporting Global Governance’s basic philosophy: “think global, act local”. Our approach is in fact the one of starting from a global challenge, namely the current environmental crisis, and translating it into actions tackling the problem at the community level, such as the clean-up of polluted ecosystems, environmental workshops within local schools and the collaboration with the Municipality in the provision of sustainable goods and services. Without the teachings and inspiration of GG, I seriously doubt any of this would have ever happened.

 

6. What were the major challenges you faced when you started to study Disaster Risk Management & Climate Change Adaptation at Lund University? 

One of the things that mostly surprised me when I first started my Master was the high level of experience and competence from the other fellow students. Having moved to Sweden only weeks after graduating from Tor Vergata University, indeed, I soon discovered I was one of the youngest members of the classroom, as opposed to older students who already had years of working experience or who had already pursued Masters in different subjects across the world. This situation challenged my confidence and self-esteem, as I didn’t think I had the capacities to fulfil the high standards of the University and bring an added value to the programme. Luckily all my worries were soon debunked by the incredible participatory and inclusive teaching methods of the Swedish education system, the professors’ experience and the love of my fellow students with whom I shared the learning process.

 

7. What is your fondest memory from your time at Lund University? 

Over the course in Disaster Preparedness, an expert flew to Lund from South Africa to teach us about Disaster Simulations. Instead of doing so with PowerPoint presentations and boring explanations, though, he actually prepared a real hands-on simulation for us! After being given the details of a flood scenario in a small town in Tajikistan, over the course of two full working days, we had to prepare a contingency plan addressing all the risks stemming from such a scenario. Afterwards, everybody was assigned a role from the Disaster Risk Management Committee (e.g. mayor, firefighter, WHO representative, etc.) and had to play its part as the disaster (virtually) unfolded. This was an incredible exercise as it really showed us the number of things that can possibly go wrong in the response phase of a natural hazard, and it made us understand the amount of pressure, critical thinking and prompt decision-making that following a career in this field entails. 

 

8. What advice would you give to a prospective student considering studying there? 

I was truly happy with the Swedish education system and I genuinely believe it’s one of the best in Europe, so I would really recommend anybody to study there. Theoretical knowledge is always balanced by practical exercises, and teaching methods are always extremely innovative, interactive and engaging. Besides, Lund University is also in the top 100 QS ranking.

Out of the class, Lund University has a great network of national and international partners, as well as a broad range of student unions and activities targeting environmental, social and political challenges. The best piece of advice I can give is to surround yourself with a group of bright, creative and proactive students, and join as many extra-curricular activities as you can while trying to have fun all the way through! 

 

9. Which advice would you give to GG alumni about to start a project or a new job? 

One thing I soon realized at the end of GG is the importance of networking. In complex systems, it’s not the single elements making a difference as much as the connections between them. Building strong, reliable and inspiring connections will always provide you with new ideas and opportunities supporting any vision you might be trying to develop. If you wanna have more tips regarding how to bring your ideas to life, we’re soon launching a series of global conversation where I’ll be sharing some of the lessons learned over 2 years leading a social entrepreneurship. 

 

10. What is coming next for you? 

In the next few months, I’ll keep working as a disaster management consultant and hopefully contribute to new exciting projects building resilience for earthquakes, COVID-19 and the climate crisis. In parallel, we’ll keep developing innovative ideas with Ostia Clean-Up and look for strategies maximizing our impact. We have recently been selected by the Italian Ministry of the Environment as a partner for organizing events in view of the pre-COP26 Summit which will be held in Milan at the end of September, so that’s a great place to explore new opportunities.

Please feel free to connect with me at giordano.margaglio@hotmail.it in case you wanna have a talk or start a collaboration!

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We are very proud of your achievements Giordano, and we wish you the best of luck for whatever will come next!