About Us

Who We Are

Al Itisal Project is headed by four graduate students, Yasmine Bencherif, Darian Edelman, Diego Calix Gonzales, and Louise Orier, at the Université de Gustave Eiffel in Paris, France. 

To complete our studies in development economics and international project management, we designed a project to assist educational and employment opportunities for migrants, asylum-seekers, refugees, and the unemployed alike. 

In response to new legislation which reduced the grace period for refugee employment from 6 months to 30 days, we set our sights on Greece. The conditions of the migrant crisis have been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has interrupted or otherwise entirely halted many of the critical aid initiatives in Europe and throughout the world. 

The pandemic has violently asserted the importance of assistance and solidarity, leaving millions unemployed or in precarious mental, physical or personal distress. The conditions of the pandemic have motivated new means of connectedness while remaining apart. For this reason, we feel especially impassioned to continue our initiative and extend community-building support while also maintaining a priority for health and safety.

As Thomas Jefferson once said: "the most fortunate of us, in our journey through life, frequently meet with calamities and misfortunes which greatly afflict us; and, to fortify our minds against the attacks of these calamities and misfortunes should be one of the principal studies and endeavors of our lives." 

We believe that there is opportunity to endeavor alongside the pandemic's constraints so that we may safely and effectively implement community-building and aid-based ideals. 

Meet the Team

Pictured above from left to right we have Darian Edelman, Yasmine Bencherif, Diego Calix Gonzales, and Louise Orier. 

Darian Edelman, the public relations chair, comes from the United States and completed her undergraduate studies in political science at the University of California Berkeley in 2017. She has internship experience in journalism and marketing. Edelman has written multiple theses on women's empowerment and upon completing her masters is seeking a position with an international organization. To learn more about Darian Edelman, please visit her LinkedIn profile here.

Yasmine Bencherif, the group chair, comes from the United States and completed her undergraduate studies in psychology at North Carolina State University in 2018. She has internship experience in international affairs and project management. Bencherif has written theses having to do with life satisfaction and sustainable development and upon completing her masters is seeking a position with an international organization. To learn more about Yasmine Bencherif, please visit her LinkedIn profile here.

Diego Calix Gonzales, the research chair, comes from Honduras and completed his undergraduate degree in International Business a the National Autonomous University of Honduras. He has two years of professional experience with USAID / Creative Associates International and has written theses in development economics. Gonzales is seeking a position with an NGO or international organization upon the completion of his degree. To learn more about Diego Calix Gonzales, please visit his LinkIn profile here.

Louise Orier, the financial chair, comes from France and completed her undergraduate degree at ESPOL in Lille in 2015. She has four years of experience in project management and entrepreneurial support, and is interested in conflict issues. She has written theses on green growth policies in developing countries and upon completing her masters degree is seeking a position with an NGO or international organization. To learn more about Louise Orier, please visit her LinkedIn profile here.