Lester Álvarez

Graduated from Visual Arts at the Higher Institute of Art of Havana, Cuba, in 2011. Since then, Alvarez develops artworks, organizes and produces cultural events in various media, based on the exercise of collaboration with people and spaces marginalized. In 2015 he created the artwork and publishing project La Maleza, which since has been dedicated to publish censored and unpublished works. Along with the curator Abel González Fernández, during 2019, he developed a video series titled Sin 349, about the young artistic and cultural scene that resisted the implementation of a decree to regulate freedom of expression in Cuba. Sin 349 received the Next Generation grant from the Prince Claus Fund. With his expanded cinema project El viaje de Salazar, which comprises a body of works in various media, he graduated from the Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola, San Sebastian, and received a Residency at the Film Academy of Spain in 2020. Alvarez has held solo shows, participated in group exhibitions and managed cultural events in Cuba, USA, UK, Argentina, Spain, France, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, among others. 

Lukáš Diko

Lukáš Diko is the editor-in-chief and chairman at the Investigative Centre of Ján Kuciak (ICJK). He is an investigative journalist and media leader with more than 20 years of experience. He previously worked as the director of news, sports, and public affairs at the Slovak public broadcaster RTVS. He is also a co-author of the Code of Ethics for Slovak journalists, adopted in 2011.

Samar Elhussieny

Samar Elhussieny is an Egyptian human rights advocate with extensive experience in civil liberties, advocacy through UN Mechanisms and the EU, gender equality, and press freedom. Since 2017, she has lived in exile due to her activism. She currently serves as the Programs director at the Egyptian Human Rights Forum (EHRF), working to advance human rights protections and civic engagement. 

With a strong background in research, advocacy, and international engagement, Samar previously held key positions, including MENA & Turkey Research and Engagement Coordinator for the Coalition for Women in Journalism and Executive Director of the Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti-Violence Studies. She has led initiatives to protect journalists, promote press freedom, and combat intolerance in challenging political contexts. 

She is also an active member of the EUROMED Gender Working Group, contributing to regional dialogues on gender justice and security. Holding a bachelor's degree in Political Science and two master's degrees, in International Law (Human Rights) and International Management, Samar brings a multidisciplinary approach to advocacy, election monitoring, gender and security studies, and the protection of human rights defenders and journalists.