GISA Spring 2025 Candidate Profiles: Irene Licastro for GISA President

In conversation with Irene Licastro, International Economics 1st Year.

Q: What makes you the ideal candidate for your role, and how do you believe your background will help you succeed in this position?

I’m running because I know what it feels like to struggle to get to places, and I want to make it easier for others. Coming from a low-income background in Italy, I’ve had to navigate obstacles that many students at IHEID face too: financial pressure, feeling like you’re constantly an outsider, and trying to find your voice. 

I’ve spent years working in youth councils and student politics, but what drives me isn’t titles, it’s people. I want to be someone who listens, includes, and fights for those who feel unheard.

Q: How do you plan to approach the role in a way that ensures the smooth running of GISA’s operations and fosters a collaborative atmosphere?

I’m all about working with people. My idea is to create a space where students and associations feel like they’re part of the process. I want to set up a board of representatives from different student associations to make collaboration smoother, amplify underrepresented voices, and share responsibilities more fairly. It’s not just about running things efficiently, it’s about building a community where people feel they belong and everyone supports each other!

Q: What past experiences have prepared you for the challenges of this role, and how will you use these experiences to improve GISA’s efficiency?

During my time as a youth representative, I learned how to make real change by working with institutions. That same mindset, “structured” but determined, guides me now. Whether it was leading a youth political board in Rome or working as a research assistant here at the Institute, I’ve learned how to take big ideas and turn them into action. I’d bring that same energy and organization to GISA as a President.

Q: If elected, what would be your primary goal and how would you ensure its successful implementation during your tenure?

My main goal is to start off talks toward an income-based tuition model at the Institute, like in many other world-class institutions. The current system just isn’t fair, it doesn’t reflect the real differences in what students can afford. 

I’d build momentum by engaging students, collecting data, sharing examples from other schools, and starting real conversations with the administration. Even if we don’t get everything done overnight, we can make the first steps happen.

Q: How do you plan to make GISA more accessible and transparent for students, particularly when it comes to administrative processes and decision-making?

I’d like to simplify how we communicate. Regular updates, clear visuals, honest timelines. I also want to create more opportunities for people to share ideas or feedback, whether it’s through monthly open meetings or anonymous suggestion forms. GISA should feel like a tool that works for students, not just a group that exists somewhere out there.

Q: What are three core values you bring to your role?

• Fairness – Everyone deserves a chance, no matter where they come from.
• Courage – I’m not afraid to stand up for things, even when it’s hard.
• Care – I really mean it when I say that I care about people. I want students to feel seen, supported, and safe at the Institute.

Q: Lastly, a few creative ways or plans of action (chance to do something different)

• Launch a “student incubator” to help new associations take off and enhance inclusivity.
• Partner with local clinics to bring free sexual and reproductive health resources and testing to campus.
• Keep working with the Feminist Collective to provide free menstrual products in all bathrooms.
• Push for breaks in class to support neurodivergent students and those with chronic fatigue.
• Host visibility days and build queer-friendly spaces, not just during Pride Month, but year-round.