Gaia Danese is an Italian career diplomat and a PhD in International Relations at the Institut d’Études Politiques of Paris (Sciences Po). From 2000 at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she has worked for the Italian Embassies in Lisbon, Montevideo and Madrid. She has been Consul General of Italy in Barcelona from 2017 to 2021, where, in close collaboration with the local authorities, she has also worked intensely in creating connections, exchange of experiences, and common projects with Italian Cities such as Milan and Florence, and Regions as Sardinia and Apulia, creating and supporting specific cultural events and networking initiatives. As a diplomat she has coordinated several creative projects such as “ITmakES” (design&making and innovation), an exchange program between Italian and Spanish makers and creative people; “MUSE – A new wave in the Mediterranean” for the empowerment of female Italian artists on the most avant-garde scene; “Ragazze Italiane” an exhibition of portraits and a series of inspirational talks of Italian female talents in Spain. Since march 2022 she is a Seconded National Expert to the EEAS to advice the Secretary General on Cultural Diplomacy and International Cultural Relations. She received the “Innovation Protagonists” award of the Italian Public Administration Forum
and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prize for best practices in the promotion of Italy abroad. Gaia has published several articles and essays in international relations issues and three books of poetry.