Maria Luís Mendes

Maria Luís Mendes has studied Law at Universidade Católica de Lisboa. Practiced Law for ten years and worked as a consultant to the Government of Macau in the areas of International Law and Arbitration for three years. She followed her husband’s diplomatic appointments in Washington DC, Bogotá, Canberra and Budapest. While not able to work with the Law at these postings, Maria became involved in several areas of community work in the arts, children with special needs, maternity and child health, and education. Maria followed her sons’ education closely and volunteered for several roles at their schools; was elected to the Board of the American International School of Budapest and appointed chair for two years while also participating in all its 4 Committees. Upon return to Portugal, Maria became president of the Portuguese Association of Spouses of Diplomats (AFDP), member of the Board of Directors of EUFASA AISBL and, recently, joined the Task Force for the Portuguese EU Presidency at the Division of Economic Multilateral Organizations, Oceans and Law of the Sea, of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.