Nurana Mammadova

Nurana Mammadova is a peacebuilder and changemaker whose life has been characterised by significant achievements and unwavering dedication to education and empowerment. Recognized by the University of Denver and the United States Institute of Peace in 2019, and as a McCain Global Leader in 2024, she has served on prestigious advisory boards and committees, including Europe's largest international organization, MitOst e.V., and the Bosch Alumni Network's Global Steering Committee. Her expertise spans project management, peacebuilding, conflict management, youth empowerment, social entrepreneurship, and education. 

Nurana's belief in the transformative power of education comes from her own direct experience. Overcoming hardships growing up, she pursued her studies relentlessly, earning top marks and accolades. Her education journey, from primary school to doctoral studies, has been fraught with challenges that have shaped her values and worldview. Unable to afford school as a teenager, she dreamed of a society where education was accessible to all. This dream fuelled her career as a non-formal education trainer, traveling the world and educating over 12,000 people without charging fees, believing education should be free and open to all. 

Her academic accomplishments are impressive, including graduating with honours from Azerbaijan National Economy University and Azerbaijan State Agricultural University, winning national competitions and awards. She then earned a master's degree with distinction from the European Institute of High International Studies, Istanbul Bilgi University, and the Institut für Europäische Politik. At the University of Oslo, she won first place in a legal paper competition organized by the International BAR Association. Despite study interruptions due to war, she completed a master's degree in Diplomatic Studies at the University of Oxford and is now pursuing a DPhil in Global and Area Studies, focusing on Sino-Russian relations and their impact on post-Soviet countries. 

Nurana's impact on her peers is profound. As a class representative, she advocated for corruption-free education and fought for student rights. As a facilitator and mentor, she has empowered students to stand up for their rights and effect social change. Through her involvement in networks like MitOst e.V., Bosch Alumni Network, and EU4Youth, she has mentored many young people, helping them become active civic participants and policymakers. Her efforts in initiatives like the Global Diplomacy Lab and the Policy Lab have fostered dialogue between youth and decision-makers, resulting in successful policy recommendations. 

In Tunisia, she addressed youth engagement issues through the "Mosta9bali" program, mentoring young change-makers and supporting their initiatives. Her role on the MitOst Association board led to significant improvements in project management and member engagement. Her innovative approach to education during the COVID-19 pandemic included interactive online tools and methodologies, benefiting many institutions and networks. 

Nurana sees herself as a global citizen committed to positive change, aiming to establish structured mentorship programs and leverage digital platforms to connect emerging leaders with seasoned professionals, fostering democratic values and conflict resolution.