Association of European Cancer Leagues
Belgium
The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) is a non-profit, pan-European umbrella organisation of national and regional cancer societies. Located in Brussels, ECL provides an exclusive platform for members to collaborate with their international peers, primarily in the areas of cancer prevention, tobacco control, access to medicines and patient support, and creates opportunities to advocate for these issues at the EU level. ECL’s VISION: A Europe free of cancers ECL’s MISSION: To advocate for improved cancer control and care in Europe through facilitating collaboration between cancer leagues , and influencing EU and pan-European policies.
Read more on www.cancer.eu
Wendy Yared
Dr Yared has over 25 years’ experience in public health and health policy. She is currently the Director of the Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL), a pan-European alliance of national and regional cancer leagues created in 1980, and leads the ECL Secretariat based in Brussels, working primarily in advocacy at EU level. This includes collaboration with the European Parliament’s interest group MEPs Against Cancer (MAC) and the relaunch of European Week Against Cancer to promote prevention and the European Code Against Cancer. Dr Yared represents ECL in EU Joint Actions on cancer, and participates in various EU discussions and platforms related to cancer prevention and health promotion. She holds a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a Master of Public Health from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of California Irvine.
Arianna Khatchadourian
Arianna Khatchadourian is ECL’s EU Projects Manager, responsible for overseeing the implementation of the organisation’s various projects in ECL’s portfolio of Horizon Europe, Horizon 2020, and EU4Health projects. Additionally, she plays a key role in the development of new project proposals.
Before joining ECL, Arianna worked as a Project Manager at an NGO and a Project Researcher on EU renewable energy policy at the Institute for European Studies (now the Brussels School of Governance (BSoG)) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Arianna holds an MA in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development from SOAS, University of London, and a BA in English from the University of York, UK.
Michal Kubo
Michal has more than a decade of experience managing public health projects and programs at both national and European levels. His expertise spans various sectors within public and non-profit realms, where he’s held numerous roles, coordinating participatory processes across multiple levels with diverse stakeholders.
He has spearheaded EU-funded projects totaling €30 million, notably contributing to the establishment and leadership of the “Healthy Communities” project. Recognized as a model of best practice, this initiative stands out for its innovative approach and inclusive design, which actively involves the target demographic as agents of change. By enhancing their skills and employability, this project has made significant strides in improving public health in Slovakia. Currently, it employs 344 individuals and annually aids 70,000 people, with financial sustainability ensured until 2029.
After graduating from Comenius University in Bratislava, Michal pursued a leadership-focused MBA at the University of New York in Prague. Throughout his career, Michal has gravitated towards roles that offer a deeper sense of purpose. He has found this kind of meaning from working in cancer research, project management, and patient advocacy.
Nico Latteur
Nico is ECL’s Policy and Projects Assistant. He is leading in ECL’s role as Work Package 6 leaders in PIECES. At ECL, he supports the management and implementation of ECL’s portfolio of EU-funded projects, alongside the coordination of ECL’s working structures. Before joining ECL, Nico completed a 12-month internship with DAI, managing EU-funded projects in the field of climate change, sustainable and climate-smart agriculture and political stability. Prior to this, he undertook an internship in Iloilo, Philippines, in which he worked for NGO LOOB on a range of projects on local community health and sustainable development. Nico holds a Double MSc in Public Policy and Human Development from the United Nations University MERIT, as well as a BA in International Development from the University of East Anglia.