Silva Mediterranea’s Youth Task Force (MYTF) recently concluded its third election, marking another milestone in the democratic and transparent functioning of the network. Comprising young professionals, students, and researchers from the Mediterranean region, MYTF plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration and addressing challenges related to Mediterranean forests.
Introducing the 2025 MYTF Board
The Direction Board, responsible for overseeing the overall functioning of the task force and coordinating its various committees and activities, is now led by a new set of talented individuals elected through a democratic voting system. The election process was open to all MYTF members, allowing candidates to run for two positions, presenting their profiles and motivations. Learn more about the six young forest experts elected to the 2025 MYTF board:
Coordinator: Satia Ras
Satia Ras is a dedicated environmentalist and conservationist with a passion for preserving and managing natural resources. He has been actively involved in the conservation of mangrove forests and Orangutan habitats in his home country, Indonesia. A distinguished member of the Young South East Asia Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), he is dedicated to fostering positive change and leadership development in the region. His diverse skill set spans conservation, ecotourism, communication, and youth empowerment, reflecting his multifaceted approach to environmental stewardship. Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, Satia is deeply committed to community service and is actively engaged in various youth activities, empowering young individuals across the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Europe. He generously volunteers his time and expertise to multiple non-profit organizations, promoting environmental awareness and sustainable development.
Deputy Coordinator: Dr. Sara Hezil
Dr. Sara HEZIL is an expert in Forest Entomology, Integrated Pest Management, and Climate Change Adaptation. She is the Head of the Division for Combating Desertification and Degradation in Steppic Lands at the Research Center in Agropastoralism (CRAPAST). Dr. HEZIL is a dedicated researcher and project leader specializing in forest ecosystems and climate change mitigation. She is a member of the Scientific Council at the Research Center in Agropastoralism and the Green Dam Committee in Algeria.
With extensive expertise in forest entomology, she focuses on developing innovative biological control solutions for forest pests. Dr. HEZIL leads multiple research projects, including the rehabilitation of Algeria’s Green Dam and the sustainable management of forest resources. In addition to her research, she serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the MedForest Journal (www.medforest.crapast.dz) and is an active member of several national scientific committees. Her work aims to harmonize ecological conservation with socio-economic development, particularly in forest ecosystems.
Partnerships Coordinator: Dante Bertocci
Dante Bertocci is an avid biophiliac, Forestry MSc Specialist, and mycology aficionado, with dual citizenship between Italy and the United States of America. He has a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia in the USA and a joint Master’s in Forestry and Natural Resources Management (MEDfOR) between the University of Lisbon in Portugal and the University of Valladolid in Palencia, Spain. Dante has been an active member of the International Forestry Students’ Association since 2022 and serves as IFSA’s Head of Subcommission to the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO).
It is with great pleasure that he accepts this critical role and acts as a liaison between MYTF and highly influential organizations and stakeholders around the Mediterranean and beyond.
Events Coordinator: Anouar Lihyaoui
Anouar is a Moroccan forest engineer with over four years of experience working on diverse forest and environmental themes, including reforestation, sustainable logging, wetland conservation, waterbird protection, and wildfire management. Thanks to these varied experiences, he has developed a deep passion for nature preservation and advocacy. As an active environmentalist and youth activist, he strives to promote sustainable solutions to protect ecosystems and inspire others to join the cause.
Scientific Coordinator: Emanuela Qato
Emanuela is a recent graduate with an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Mediterranean Forestry and Natural Resources Management. She is passionate about Mediterranean forestry, research, climate change and forest fires, with a focus on using fire behavior simulators to prevent them. Emanuela has hands-on experience in forest ecosystem management, geographical information systems (GIS) and data analysis. She has worked with GIZ Albania, analyzing data using tools like Excel, SQL and Python programming, and contributed to reforestation research projects in Albania. Additionally, her volunteer work with the Solidarity Corps at an entomology museum deepened her understanding of Mediterranean biodiversity. Emanuela is dedicated to empowering youth in the sector and advancing research in Mediterranean ecosystems.
Join the MYTF committees
Young people who are interested in actively contributing to our mission are invited to join the committees across five distinct areas:
- Communications Committee
- Partnerships Committee
- Events Committee
- Scientific Committee
To be considered, register as a member and fill out the application form. The deadline for submission is 27 February 2024.
Don’t forget to read the MYTF Annual Report 2024 to get an overview of the activities of the 2024 MYTF Board and its committees
