Ceris - Official

The unforeseen consequences of the NATO Ankara summit by Nicholas Williams (Vice President of CERIS), European Leadership Network, 16/07/2026 :

The unforeseen consequences of the NATO Ankara summit Despite the success of the Ankara summit, the US is gradually decoupling itself from Europe in ways that will have profound consequences for European security and strategic stability. As ELN Senior Associate Fellow Nicholas Williams writes, NATO will not collapse in a single dramatic moment; it is s...

The death of the ‘global cop’: why NATO’s Ankara summit is burying out-of-area operations by Nicholas Williams (Vice President of CERIS), European Leadership Network, 30/06/2026 :

The death of the ‘global cop’: why NATO’s Ankara summit is burying out-of-area operations What are the consequences stemming from the seeming end of NATO’s global role? ELN Senior Associate Fellow Nicholas Williams looks back at two decades of NATO's

Outstanding Thesis (Academic Year 2024-2025- MIP) by Robine Arnoys. Topic: “What explains the preferences of the main stakeholders towards the European Deforestation Regulation?”. Ms. Robine Arnoys is a Belgian professional, currently working in Antwerp for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International as environmental expert. She previously obtained a Master's degree in Environmental, Health, and Safety Management, as well as an additional degree in Sustainable Development. Her previous professional experience includes working as safety & security advisor and sustainability product specialist. Her thesis focuses on the EU Deforestation Regulation and investigates the perceptions of the different stakeholders and the reasons behind their positioning towards the regulation. The purpose of this is to gain a more in-depth understanding of the factors that contribute to the success of sustainability-related policies in achieving their objectives. https://www.ceris.be/personnel/robine-arnoys/

Mr. Amaury van Kesteren was awarded Alfred Cahen Prize (Academic Year 2024-2025) for his thesis “Why was European influence in Niger vulnerable to collapse following the 2023 coup, despite long-term diplomatic and development engagement?”
Amaury van Kesteren works at the intersection of information systems, public-sector transformation and international development cooperation. He currently works at Möbius where he advises Belgian public entities, on information-management frameworks, governance models, data-driven decision processes and AI-enabled transformation. He is a reservist for the Belgian Marine.
He previously worked in development cooperation with Bluesquare, where he contributed to the design and implementation of health information systems and monitoring frameworks in West and Central Africa. In that role, he advised ministries and international organisations on data strategies, monitoring and evaluation, and digital transformation. https://www.ceris.be/personnel/amaury-van-kesteren/

Outstanding Thesis (Academic Year 2024-2025) by Blaise Chinedu Nze (Major of Promotion-MADEV). Topic: “The Impact of Multi-Ethnicity on Aid Effectiveness: A Case Study of an Infrastructure Project in Nigeria” Born in Cameroon and based in Leuven, Belgium, Chinedu Blaise Nze is an academic researcher and development strategist whose work bridges education, technology, and governance. He holds a Master’s degree from KU Leuven’s Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, where he completed a dissertation on students’ perceptions of Generative AI in academic writing. He also earned an Executive Master’s in Governance and Development Policy from CERIS–ULB Diplomatic School of Brussels, strengthening his expertise in global governance and policy analysis. Chinedu is a member of the Chartered Institute of Development Studies and Administration (CIDSAN), Nigeria, and holds professional certificates in AI Governance and Salesforce Administration, reflecting his commitment to ethical technology adoption and digital systems strengthening.

He is the founder of an educational consultancy that supports students, researchers, and civil‑society organisations in academic writing, international study applications, programme design, and donor‑engagement strategy. His work integrates analytical rigor with practical capacity‑building, enabling organisations to strengthen internal systems, communicate impact, and secure sustainable partnerships. With experience spanning academic research, NGO training design, and AI‑focused consultancy, Chinedu brings a multidimensional perspective to contemporary challenges in education, governance, and development. https://www.ceris.be/personnel/chinedu-blaise-nze/

Outstanding Thesis (Academic Year 2024-2025- MIP) by Dorota Sedminova. Topic: “The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES/Rojava): Emergence, Governance, Legitimacy and Recognition”. Dorota Sedminová is a Slovak professional based in Brussels, working at the European Commission as an assistant in the team of the Director-General for Economic and Financial Affairs. She holds degrees in Translation and Interpreting, Diplomatic Studies, and International Politics. Her professional experience includes working in EU institutions, multinational companies in the area of business administration and stakeholder relations, as well as language interpreting. Her research interests include governance, international relations, and political developments in the Middle East. Her thesis explores the rise of Rojava in Assad-era Syria, examining the relationship between self-governance, legitimacy, and international recognition in conflict settings. She speaks Slovak, English, Italian, Spanish, and French. https://www.ceris.be/personnel/dorota-sedminova/

Outstanding Thesis (Academic Year 2024-2025- MIP) by Mr Arturo Caione. Topic: “How Economic Sanctions Are Redrawing the Economic and Geopolitical Landscape: The Case of Russia”. Mr Arturo Caione is an Italian policy adviser whose work spans parliamentary affairs, European policy and strategic communications. Over the course of his career, he has developed extensive experience in analysing political and economic dynamics and translating complex policy issues into clear and actionable insights supporting informed decision-making.
He has advised on legislative strategy across industry, finance and EU affairs, contributing to policy discussions and public debate through the preparation of briefings, speeches and communication materials, while supporting strategic positioning in complex policy environments. Earlier in his career, he developed a strong analytical and editorial foundation through his work in financial journalism, contributing to economic analysis and corporate reporting: an experience that continues to inform his evidence-based approach to policy and communication.
He currently serves as Senior Adviser for Policy and Strategic Communications, where he works on initiatives at the intersection of business, sustainability and public policy. In this role, he designs and oversees multidisciplinary projects that bring together business leaders and institutions, ensuring effective coordination, policy alignment and successful delivery. He is also co-author of a book on the stories of company founders, highlighting his interest in business narratives and leadership.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Bocconi University and further specialised through postgraduate studies, including a focus on the internationalisation of businesses and EU interdisciplinary analysis. This trajectory was most recently complemented by an Executive Master in International Politics at the CERIS Diplomatic School of Brussels, consolidating his focus on European governance and geopolitical dynamics. https://www.ceris.be/personnel/arturo-caione/

Graduation Ceremony 2024-2025: The picture gallery is available at https://www.ceris.be/portfolio/graduation-ceremony-2024-2025 We thank Prof. Laura Hammond, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at SOAS - University of London, for delivering an outstanding lecture at the CERIS-Diplomatic School of Brussels on “Rethinking Development in the Context of a Changing Global Order” on Friday, June 26th, 2026.

On the occasion of the CERIS Graduation Ceremony, Professor Laura Hammond, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange and Professor of Development Studies at SOAS – University of London, will deliver a conference entitled “Rethinking Development in the Context of a Changing Global Order “ on June 26, 2026.
“The current moment presents grave challenges to those studying, teaching, researching and working in development and its related fields. The closure of USAID, the defunding of the United Nations and its implementing NGOs, cutting of research budgets relating to climate change, social justice, human rights, and diversity, equality and inclusion both domestically and internationally, and restrictions on immigration all present existential challenges to the work that we do. Or do they? I argue here that there has never been a more important time to study and research these dynamics. The social, political and economic challenges that we are experiencing now will transform what we understand as developmental processes, how they happen, who controls them, and who benefits from them. Our engagement with development may need to change – and some would argue that change is long overdue – but this is no time to look away.”

Professor Laura Hammond has been conducting research on conflict, food security, refugees, migration and diasporas in and from the Horn of Africa since the early 1990s. She lived in Ethiopia from 1993-2000, conducting research and working for the UN Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia (the precursor to UNOCHA). Among her research activities, she is PI of the Impact Acceleration Account on Migration, Displacement, Minorities and Marginalisation.
She is also Co-Director of the Work Package on Poverty and Inequalities for the Migration for Development and Equality (MIDEQ) Research Hub on South-South Migration. She is Team Leader of the EU Trust Fund’s Research and Evidence Facility on migration and conflict in the Horn of Africa, and Team Leader of the London International Development Centre's Migration Leadership Team. She has done consultancy for a wide range of development and humanitarian organisations, including UNDP, USAID, Oxfam, Medécins Sans Frontières, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the World Food Programme.
She is the author of ‘This Place Will Become Home: Refugee Repatriation to Ethiopia’ (Cornell University Press: 2004), editor (with Christopher Cramer and Johan Pottier of Researching Violence in Africa: Ethical and Methodological Challenges [Brill 2011] and several books and journal articles.