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I’m one of those people who somehow grow into the meaning of their name.

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My name, Gökşen, means "joy in the sky," and my surname, Çalışkan, is the literal translation of "hard worker" in Turkish.​

 

That's probably why I have become this relentlessly curious and hardworking woman who -sometimes naively- seeks joy and creativity in every aspect of life, who believes the sky is the limit, and over the years has learned to thrive in the chaotic city life as an introvert.

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Professionally, I am a policy communications consultant working at the intersection of news media and public affairs within the European Union ecosystem.

 

With over 15 years of experience, I have held roles that combine leadership in strategy, B2B business development, product design, PA and PR campaign management. 

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PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

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I began my career in Istanbul as a reporter covering EU-Turkey relations for Euractiv, a leading EU policy media outlet headquartered in Brussels and owned by Mediahuis Group since 2023. A few years later, I transitioned into a business role in media and also started working with Germany’s international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle.

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Beyond my roles in the media industry, I have worked as a communication and media consultant for public, private, and international organisations.

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In 2017, I moved to Brussels to join the Business Department of Euractiv's Headquarters. From 2020 to 2024, I had the opportunity to lead the Business Development team. Since September 2024, I have been supporting Euractiv as a Senior B2B Advisor to its Advocacy Lab, the division offering B2B media solutions. 

 

Thanks to my diverse international network, I act as a bridge builder between EU Institutions, corporations, business associations, media and other key stakeholders across industries.

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SOCIAL IMPACT

 

Coming from a nomadic upbringing, I have always believed in the power of cross-cultural communication to bridge differences and nurture understanding. As a proud national of both Turkey and Belgium and a committed pro-European, I embrace all of my identities and advocate for culturally more inclusive, intelligent and emphatic world .

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As part of this mission, I've engaged in cultural communication initiatives during my studies and traveled across Europe for various projects. Later, I became actively involved in projects focusing on women’s empowerment mostly in Turkey, a cause that still remains very close to my heart.

 

And now here in Brussels,  am actively involved in Restless Brussels, a civic initiative that connects Brussels' international community with the city's locals and local realities, encouraging deeper engagement and mutual understanding.

 

FELLOWSHIPS

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I am honored that my leadership experience and the societal impact of my work have been recognised by prestigious organisations. I am a proud alumna of Belgium’s 40 Under 40  and the Turkiye Europe Future Forum.

 

CREATIVE PURSUITS

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My journey into the media world wasn’t something I initially planned, but looking back, I can now see how the pieces fit together. In a way, it feels like I was unconsciously paving the way for this path all along.

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It all started in high school in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan,  where I co-hosted a radio show about teenagers’ daily lives, and challenges.

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Years later, from 2017 to 2021, I produced and hosted ProjectPost30, a media project and podcast exploring stories of drastic career changes and new ways of working. 🔗 ProjectPost30 (In Turkish)

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Since 2023, I have been rekindling my passion for photography and my fascination with cities through Random Moments, a creative project capturing spontaneous scenes from urban life. 📷 Random Moments

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 I've recently decided to combine my blogging and journaling habits into a new newsletter called The Cœurious. In it, I explore some of my favorite topics media news, comms trends, behavioral psychology, and more. Click to subscribe! ​

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Each of these projects, in their own way, reflects my love for storytelling, whether through words, voices, or images.

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SELECTED INTERVIEWS and ARTICLES

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2025- Video Interview with Philip Weiss for The ZNL Podcast

2025- Video Interview with La Voix du College - Magazine of the College of Europe

2025- Podcast guest for Interview Series with TEFF Alumni

2024- Article - Speaking Moylanguage - New Media's New Normal 

2024- Video Interview at ZN Live 

2024- TV Interview with Bruzz - Belgian elections

2023- TV Interview with Bruzz - Internationals of Brussels

2023- Written Interview with The Fix - What’s Your Media Job?

2021- Written Interview with the Global Interview Series on Leading in the Pandemic 

2020- Podcast Interview with Better Teams with Max and Vince - For an Inclusive and Participative Leadership 

2017- Written, Video and Radio Interviews about ProjectPost30 on Turkish Media (In Turkish) 

2011- Video Interview with Sosyal Kafa on EU-Turkey relations