ICDO was established in Vienna, Austria by two eminent professionals, with international working experience in International Relations, Intergovernmental Organizations and International Corporations, willing to take action, use their experience and close the cultural gap between people through research, workshops, events, social and development projects.
Their vision was recognized and supported by prominent professionals in the field, benefactors, institutions, organizations, governments, professionals from different backgrounds ranging from business development, finance, project and event management, art, design, etc. as well as their fellow Webster University and University of Vienna Alumni which contributed to realization of ICDOs projects and objectives. We will continue working together for a better, more diverse, future.
Executive Committee
Josipa Palac
President and CEO
Josipa Palac has had a heart for social impact since she was a young girl. Growing up in a family that opened its doors to help those in need, she saw first-hand the positive impact helping others brings. This ignited in her a passion to get involved with social change and to draw attention to problems in the ...
Toni Pehar
Treasurer and CFO
Toni Pehar, is a co-founder of ICDO and holds a responsibility of a Treasury and Chief Financial Officer, oversees finance and accounting, financial planning and analysis, strategic planning, funds, grants, development and contracts management, and several special initiatives. Closely collaborates...
Advisers to the Executive Committee and Ambassadors
ICDO is fortunate to have support, advice, wisdom and experience from highly eminent professionals that devoted their time and efforts to make us stronger.
Prof. Mag. Dr. Hermann Mückler
Adviser to the Executive Committee
Born in Vienna of Austrian-Moravian ancestry, Hermann Mückler studied cultural anthropology, (ethno-)history and political science at the University of Vienna. He is Professor of Cultural and Social Anthropology at this university with a focus on historical topics,...
Dr. Anthony Löwstedt
Adviser to the Executive Committee
Dr. Anthony Löwstedt worked at the International Press Institute in Vienna from 1994 to 2005 with press freedom- and media monitoring-related human rights work incl. research, documentation, publications, and consultation. He organized, contributed, and attended ...
Prof. Dr. Sonjah N. Stanley Niaah
Adviser to the Executive Committee
Sonjah Stanley Niaah is a Jamaican scholar, cultural activist, writer, and international speaker. She is the first Ph.D. Cultural Studies graduate from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the first to be appointed Lecturer, and Senior Lecturer in Cultural Studies there.
Cristel Carrisi Lukšić
Ambassador
Born in a spotlight and having Mother Teresa of Calcutta as her godmother on baptism, Cristel was raised in a family of strong musical and theatrical heritage, daughter of singers Al Bano and Romina Power, Cristel has worked in the entertainment industry since her teenage years...
Ana Girault
Ambassador
Born and raised in Mexico. From a young age, curiosity led her to explore the modelling world and the diversity within it. She studied a BA in Communications at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. For a period of her life, she lived in two multicultural cities in the...
Alberto Nodale
Ambassador
Mr Austria 2017 - Alberto Nodale is half Austrian, half Philippino. He graduated from high school in Vienna, where he also grew up. He then moved to Wieselburg to study at the campus Wieselburg of the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt. There he completed his bachelor and ...
Norlito Meimban
Ambassador
Norlie Meimban was graduated in University of the Philippines Fine Art with major in painting; the canvas had always been his irreplaceable passion. He joined competitions and was recognized by Metrobank Foundation Art Competition three times,...
Jessica Fernández
Ambassador
Jessica Fernández is a social entrepreneur, content creator, feminist activist, a 23-year-old speaker who is considered today; one of the 50 more women ITESM influencers nationwide. She is Honorary Ambassador on ICDO’s ‘Kalan Je La’an: Following the Maya Voice’ project in Quintana Roo, Mexico ...
Farid Dieck
Ambassador
Farid Dieck is a content creator and social entrepreneur from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and is Honorary Ambassador on ICDO’s ‘Kalan Je La’an: Following the Maya Voice’ project in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Today, Farid has more than 4 million followers, and has appeared in more ...
Celine Schrenk
Ambassador
We are pleased to announce that Celine Schrenk - Miss Austria 2017, and contestant of Miss Universe, joins ICDO as a new Ambassador starting from 2018 in order to promote cultural diversity and help eliminate cultural gaps and #safeguarddiversity. Having a mix cultural background ...
Global Development Team
It is our ICDO Global Development Team that makes it all possible. Their diverse experience, drive, commitment, and motivation are invaluable to making ICDO a leading NGO that fights for equality, diversity, economic and social development, and crucial role of diversity in the world and society as a whole.
Monika Zarucka
Public Information & Communications Director
Monika Zarucka is a public relations graduate who has studied communications, media, business, content production and who holds mainly experience in writing communications strategies, reports and technical documentation. She also has numerous years of experience in designing ...
Evgeny Denisov
Communications and Multimedia Specialist
Evgeny Denisov, preferably just Jack, is a journalist with a background in different forms of media and international relations. His particular field of interest lies in environmental degradation and climate change, especially the potential impacts they will have on our society in the coming decades ...
ICDO Interns
The ICDO Interns are invaluable members that help improve ICDO in many ways. From assisting our Executive Committee and Global Development Team in their work, to offering their personal expertise for various projects, the interns help achieve all the ambitious goals of the organization.
Nina Vukoslavcevic
Administrative Assistant
Ximena Vega
Administrative Assistant
Besjana Rrahmani
Administrative Assistant
ICDO Mission
The mission and goal of ICDO is the promotion of cultural diversity, inclusivity, interculturalism, human rights, as well as raising awareness of different cultural expressions and their values with the aim of fostering cultural interaction in order to bring people together and bridge cultural gaps. In addition, ICDO acts, promotes and conserves biodiversity, environment, and sustainability for the wellbeing of humanity.
SPEAK YOUR MIND
Philosophy
We believe that cultural diversity makes society stronger in every aspect. The world needs diversity and all the positivity that comes out of it to ensure social, economic advances and to enhance society as a whole.
We will do our best to cherish and respect each culture, religion, views, language and all that comprises an individual in order to preserve the diversity in the world and make it better. This cause is worth fighting for as there would not be diversity without each one of us. That makes us unique and worth protecting. ICDO’s philosophy is to recognize the individuals and provide them with tools, knowledge and a voice.
We believe that people’s diversity is what makes them truly connected and united. Only while embracing diversity we can make progress.
What do people say about us
“My childhood dream of saving the Amazon rainforest is still not accomplished but my dream of connecting people and rising above their differences for a greater cause stayed the same.”