Our Team

Ivo Balinov leads the development, and implementation of the Parliamentary Centre’s programs across Asia, and Europe. With over 18 years of experience in worldwide parliamentary development. Ivo also acts as an in-house advisor across the Centre’s programming in Canada, and abroad. Since 2003, Ivo has formulated and led key initiatives focused on the strengthening of inclusive democratic governance in over 25 major countries with a focus on Asia and Eastern Europe. He brings to our team a solid track record of successful programming, award winning innovations, extensive partnership networks, and an intimate understanding of the working cultures across Asia and the European region. Educated in diplomacy and political science, Ivo holds a MA in European Studies from Carleton University, Ottawa. Ivo has also received a graduate degree in International Relations from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia, Bulgaria. Ivo’s dedication to creating change in his field has been assisted by the understanding that sustainable democratic governance relies on constructive relationships between individual citizens, local civil society actors, and institutions of governance. Ivo believes the empowerment of marginalized groups is an essential prerequisite in the decision-making process when it comes to the development of peace, and stability.

Edith Gingras brings over 25 years of professional experience including 15 years in designing strategic, innovative and multi-country programming in Canadian, African and Asian municipalities and communities which have contributed to changing legislative and governance processes, supported decentralization, increased transparency and strengthened economic development strategies in collaboration with local, regional and national governments. As a firm supporter of visionary leadership, public empowerment policies and participatory decision-making, she also strongly believes in programming which enhances both women’s economic and political empowerment and, in creating opportunities for marginalized populations to participate in democratic governance.  She holds an undergraduate degree in Urban Studies from Concordia University, a graduate degree in Urban Planning from the University of Montréal and recently completed a short-term graduate degree in Program Evaluation at l’École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP). She has taught a 3 year term at Carleton University as a contract instructor for TSES 4011 – Technology and Society in International Development.

He has been a member of the Parliamentary Center team since October 2022.

Anastasiya Shtaltovna joined the Parliamentary Centre as Program and Communications Officer in November 2020. Before this, she was engaged in an array of international development and research projects focusing on sustainable development, knowledge and innovation, local economic development, and governance in Europe, Central Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Anastasiya holds a Ph.D. in Development Studies from the University of Bonn, an international MSc in Rural Development awarded by Ghent University and Humboldt University, Berlin, and an MA in Management from the National Agrarian University, Kyiv. Over the course of her career, Anastasiya worked for two high-level institutes in Germany and Canada (the Montreal Center for International Studies (CÉRIUM) and Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn). She provided consultancy services to the German and US Development agencies (GIZ and USAID). The results of her work have been disseminated through publications, at international conferences, and via direct communication with local and international partners. At the Centre, Anastasiya supports the activities of the Accountability for the Security Sector in Ukraine project and the Support the Parliament of Armenia project. Besides, she is engaged in communication and thought leadership activities throughout the organization. Anastasiya firmly believes that inclusive democratic institutions are crucial for sustainable development, peace, and enabling all members of society to reach their full potential.