Our Mission
Global Thinkers Meet Up is a platform for civic engagement and peace-building. Think of it as a curated civic saloon, with some of our sessions focused particularly on the citizens of tomorrow, today's youth. Our goal is to empower and equip citizens to navigate global challenges through thoughtful dialogue, creativity, and kindness.
We believe that thoughtful dialogue is the cornerstone of a peaceful society. By creating spaces where young minds can exchange ideas across borders, we foster the empathy and critical thinking necessary to build a better future together.
Who helps to lead Global Thinkers Meet Up
Matt Allen — Facilitator Lead
Matt Allen is Head of Learning & Development at I Can School, a bilingual school in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where he oversees curriculum design, teacher professional development, and educational innovation. He is also the lead curriculum designer and instructor for the Vietnam AI for Education Program (VAIEP), a non-profit initiative empowering Vietnamese educators to rethink their practice for an AI-shaped world.
Having studied psychology and mindfulness at Harvard University and Brown University, he is particularly interested in how young people develop the capacity to think critically, engage across difference, and build meaning in a rapidly changing world.
Karen Mesa-Gillman
Gender and Diversity Lead
Karen is an operations, logistics, and community action specialist with a track record of coordinating teams, managing complex service contracts, and keeping operations running smoothly under pressure. She holds a First Class BA (Hons) in International Relations Studies from the Open University (2025), pairing hands-on operational capability with a strategic understanding of global policy and humanitarian issues.
Karen is passionate about equity and inclusion, and brings a wealth of stakeholder management and administrative experience to GTMU's mission — ensuring the programme's spaces are accessible, representative, and genuinely global in outlook. Her background spans community volunteering with refugee support, youth programmes, and food initiatives, and she is fluent in English and Spanish.
Natasha Lipman
Strategy Lead
Natasha is a former BBC journalist and award-nominated podcast host with a background in storytelling, digital media, and community building. She has worked across news, features, and long-form audio, with a particular focus on social issues, health, and lived experience.
Alongside her media work, Natasha has led strategy and communications for a range of non-profits and community projects, helping organisations clarify their message, reach new audiences, and build trust with the people they serve.
As Strategy Lead at Global Thinkers Meet Up, Natasha supports programme design, communications, and partnerships. She is especially interested in how we can use stories and conversations to make complex issues feel human, relatable, and actionable — and in building online spaces that feel genuinely kind, accessible, and welcoming.
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Dr Karem Roitman
Director
Dr Karem Roitman has over 20 years’ experience working with youth, educators, and communities around the world. She has led programmes across Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Asia, focusing on civic engagement, social justice, and inclusive dialogue.
Karem holds a DPhil in International Development from the University of Oxford. She has worked with NGOs, universities, and international organisations to design and deliver programmes that help young people develop critical thinking, empathy, and the skills to participate meaningfully in civic life.
As Director of Global Thinkers Meet Up, Karem leads the vision, curriculum, and facilitation strategy, ensuring that every session is grounded in care, curiosity, and respect. She is passionate about creating spaces where diverse voices can meet, be heard, and build understanding together.
Expert Mentorship
Our meet ups are facilitated by our Team along with support visiting Oxford and Open University scholars. These distinguished experts come in to share their expertise, providing our participants with a high level of intellectual challenge and unique insights that bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world civic dialogue.
Safeguarding Our Community
We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants. Our safeguarding policies ensure that every voice is heard and every individual is protected during our global dialogues.