Manuela Michetti da Cruz is a Master’s student at NOVA School of Law, specializing in International and European Law. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Coimbra, complemented by studies at Sapienza University of Rome. Her academic focus lies in environmental law, sustainability and innovation, bridging legal frameworks with public policy and international development challenges. Manuela has gained diverse experience through legal internships across Europe and Brazil. At the European Public Law Organization (EPLO), she worked on projects related to Mediterranean sustainability, climate change and EU digital rights. At Vert d’Iris International in Brussels, she contributed to European funding initiatives focused on sustainable development. In Brazil, her internship at the Public Defender’s Office in Rio de Janeiro involved supporting legal cases in civil law, advancing social justice. Passionate about fostering EU-Latin America relations, Manuela engages actively in research beyond her academic commitments, particularly in the fields of environmental law and international cooperation. In 2023, she published her first article titled “The Ukraine Conflict and the Challenges for the European Union in a Post-Western World” in the Journal of the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence at FGV Direito Rio, reflecting her dedication to global legal and policy issues.