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Christian Burgsmüller assumed the position of Head of the Americas.1 Division (Regional Affairs) at the European External Action Service (EEAS) on 1 September 2024. His diplomatic career includes serving as Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Canada between 2020 and 2024, and heading the Global Issues Section at the EU Delegation to the United States in Washington, D.C. (2010–2014). He also led the Political and Press Section in Brazil (2006–2010) and was an attaché at the German Embassy in Argentina in 1999. A lawyer by training, Christian studied in Freiburg, Geneva, and Cologne, and holds a PhD in Constitutional Law.

Gabriel Mato Adrover is a Spanish Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 2009, re-elected for the 2014-2019, 2019-2024 and 2024-2029 terms. A member of the European People’s Party (Partido Popular de España), he currently serves as European Co-President of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat) and Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to EuroLat. He is also a member of the Conference of Delegation Chairs (CPDE), the Committee on International Trade (INTA) and the Delegation to the EU-Chile Joint Parliamentary Committee (D-CL). As a substitute, he sits on the Committees on Foreign Affairs (AFET), Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) and Fisheries (PECH). Mr Mato holds a degree in Law and previously served in senior legal and political roles in Spain’s Canary Islands.

Daniel Caggiani is a Uruguayan Senator, re-elected in 2024 for the 2025-2030 term, representing the Frente Amplio. He currently serves as President of the Mercosur Parliament (Parlasur) for the 2019-2029 period and as Latin American Co-President of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat). A long-standing social and political activist within the Movimiento de Participación Popular (MPP) and the Frente Amplio’s Espacio 609, he has held parliamentary office since 2011. Mr Caggiani previously served as Vice-President of Parlasur, has chaired several Senate Committees – including Labour (2023) and Transport and Public Works (2024) – and is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). He currently coordinates the Frente Amplio caucus in the Uruguayan Senate.

Yolanda Villavicencio Mapy is a Colombian economist and diplomat, serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs since July 2025. Born in Bogotá and shaped by her social leadership experience as a migrant in Spain, she has defended the rights of migrant communities and promoted integration and equality through civil society organisations. Her background in migration, international cooperation, and human rights positions her as a voice that connects territories and people. From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she drives a citizen-led, feminist, and inclusive diplomacy that presents Colombia as a country of solidarity, equity, and commitment to life.

Hadja Lahbib is the European Commissioner for Equality; Preparedness and Crisis Management. She is responsible for promoting equality and inclusion across the European Union, upholding the rights of minorities with the aim of creating a fairer society and social model for everyone. She also leads the EU’s work on preparedness and crisis management, ensuring a more robust and proactive approach to European crisis management and civil preparedness, both within our borders and on the global stage. In this capacity, she plays a central role in shaping and overseeing the EU’s humanitarian action worldwide. Working closely with the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), she sets the strategic direction for the Union’s humanitarian policy and ensures that EU assistance is principled, needs-based and in full respect of international humanitarian law. Before joining the European Commission, Ms Lahbib served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, Foreign Trade and the Federal Cultural Institutions of Belgium (2022–2024). She previously had a long career at Belgium’s French-speaking public broadcaster RTBF (1993–2022) as a journalist, news anchor and documentary filmmaker. Ms Lahbib co-led Brussels 2030, preparing the city’s candidacy for the European Capital of Culture. She holds a degree in Journalism and Communication from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, and completed executive training in Change Management and Digital Leadership at the Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management.

Juan Sebastián Rodríguezián Fernández, a young leader from Barranquilla, has an outstanding trajectory in social, educational, and youth political leadership. He is a member of the Youth Sounding Board of the European Union, delegate for outreach to and engagement with youth in the EU external action, District Youth Councillor of Barranquilla, and has represented the country in global forums such as One Young World in the United Kingdom and Global Gateway Youth in Brussels. Former Ambassador of the SoyBilingüe strategy, through which the first public policy on bilingualism in Colombia was developed, he believes in youth leadership as the key to major transformations.

María Paula Castro Rodríguez is a Social Communicator and Journalist, born in Arauca (Arauca). She has complementary studies in marketing and live event production, and a solid track record in digital, internal, and corporate communications for public and private entities. Her experience includes the creation of communication strategies, content writing, and management of institutional social media. She has also served as a master of ceremonies at events of the Government of Arauca and the Special Registry of Arauca, standing out for her stage presence and ability to connect with the audience — and currently at official events of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Andrés Rodríguez Cárdenas, a 20-year-old Colombian youth, has made sustainability and social justice his life’s purpose. Through the Luces de Paz initiative, he brings electric light to communities without access, combining innovation, empathy, and environmental action. A youth councilor and social leader, he has represented Colombia at international forums in Washington, New York, Argentina, Ecuador, and Brazil. He participated in FAO’s World Food Forum, amplifying youth voices for sustainable food systems. His leadership inspires thousands of young people to believe in their transformative power and to build a fairer, greener future.

Nelson Javier Restrepo Arango is Director of the Directorate of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. A lawyer, researcher, educator, and human rights defender, he has over 35 years of experience researching political violence, parapolítica, and historical memory. He served as Director of Human Rights at the Instituto Popular de Capacitación (1996–2000) and has worked as an advisor in public institutions in Spain. He is the author and co-author of several studies and books, including Nos matan y no es noticia, and is responsible for inter-institutional coordination and follow-up on international human rights recommendations.

Marlene Holzner is Head of Unit for Civil Society, Local Authorities and Foundations in the DG INTPA (EU Commission) since 2020. She is responsible for designing and implementing the CSO Programme 2021-2027 with a team of 20. Before this, she worked for 10 years for Commissioner Guenter H. Oettinger as Spokesperson and Cabinet Member. A graduate from the London School of Economics and Political Science, Marlene has worked many years as a journalist (WirtschaftsWoche, Berlin) before joining the European Commission.

Claudia Paz y Paz is a lawyer and Director of the Mexico and Central America Program at the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL). Before joining CEJIL, Claudia was the first woman to serve as Attorney General of Guatemala, where she believed in the rule of law as a force capable of strengthening society through the pillars of peace, justice, and equality. Under her leadership, Guatemala’s Attorney General’s Office became the first law enforcement body in the country to prosecute high-ranking civil war combatants for war crimes, achieving the conviction of senior military officers and former head of state Ríos Montt for genocide and crimes against humanity. Additionally, Claudia was a member of the Group of Independent Experts (GIEI) of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, tasked with investigating the disappearance of the 43 Ayotzinapa students in Mexico, as well as a second iteration of the GIEI that investigated the violence that took place in Nicaragua following the April 18 protests. From 2017 to 2018, she served as Secretary for Multidimensional Security at the Organization of American States (OAS).

Journalist by training, he has been working for a decade in civil society in the areas of cooperation for development and international relations with the aim of contributing to the social inclusion of persons with disabilities, a group to which he also belongs. He has postgraduate training in institutional communication, design of social projects and implementation of international development cooperation interventions. For eight years, his work has been focused on the Latin American and Caribbean region, where he has interacted with governments, international organizations, the private sector and other civil society actors.

Venezuelan grassroot activist, advocate for dismantling systems of oppression through meaningful youth civic engagement and inclusion. Background in National Student Movement Leadership for over 3 years. Founder of “Juventud Cívica”, a Venezuelan youth program to increase youth civic engagement, through socio-political dialogue spaces, and skill sharing hubs. Member of the European Union Youth Sounding Board, Global Peacebuilders Network, Co-creator of Peace Direct’s Global Peace Campaign, Kofi Annan Changemaker. Current Youth Engagement Coordinator at CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation, leading a network of over 4000 youth activists from +150 countries who collaborate to strengthen youth action in civil society through youth- centric innovative approaches.

Magdalena Bordagorry is a lawyer from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and holds a Master’s in Cultural Anthropology and Development Studies from KU Leuven. She has served as Policy and Membership Development Officer at the European network Eurodiaconia, where she worked on issues related to poverty reduction and social inclusion. Previously, she worked with migrant women as well as women survivors of gender-based violence in Chile. She is currently the Policy and Networks Coordinator at the EU-LAT Network, a coalition of more than 40 European organizations promoting solidarity between the peoples of Latin America and Europe, advocating for participatory European policies with a gender perspective that advance human rights and democracy in Latin America.

Lucy Garrido is a journalist, editor, and creative producer. She is part of Cotidiano Mujer, the Articulación Feminista Marcosur, and the Civil Society Organizations CELAC/EU Working Group. She coordinates Diálogos Consonantes, the Isoquito ranking, the Regional Alert System on Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Causa Abierta, the campaign “Tu boca, fundamental contra los fundamentalismos”, and the Regional Fund for Supporting Feminist Organizations. She has produced for the movement the pieces “Mujeres migrantes. Mujeres con derechos” and “El mundo al revés es posible”; and for ECLAC, “La seguridad ciudadana empieza por casa”, “Qué Estado para qué Igualdad”, and “Hacia la sociedad de los cuidados”, among others.

Sergio Chaparro Hernández is International Coordinator at Dejusticia and in charge of international advocacy and policy at the Tax Justice Network. He is an economist and philosopher, holding master’s degrees in Law from Universidad Nacional de Colombia and in Inequalities and Social Science from the London School of Economics. Sergio is an Economic and Social Equality Fellow at the Atlantic Institute.

Marie L’Hostis is Advocacy Coordinator at Forus, a global network that brings together 72 national platforms and 7 regional coalitions, representing over 24,000 civil society organizations worldwide. She leads Forus’ advocacy strategy under the “Influence” pillar, focusing on strengthening the enabling environment for civil society, promoting inclusive governance, and fostering its participation in global political processes. Her work focuses on amplifying the collective voice of member organizations and strengthening their joint advocacy efforts at national, regional, and global levels.

Inma Alonso Delgado is responsible for EU–Latin America and Caribbean relations and development financing at the Coordinadora de Organizaciones para el Desarrollo (Spain). She holds a degree in Communication Sciences – Journalism, a Master’s in Political Action (with a specialization in gender equality and gender-based violence), a postgraduate diploma as a Specialist in International Information, and is a PhD candidate in Communication, focusing on public policy and communication. She has over 15 years of professional experience in civil society organizations — in Spain and 12 countries across Africa and Latin America — leading public affairs, political and social advocacy, communication, awareness-raising, and mobilization strategies.

Luciana Torchiaro is the Regional Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Secretariat of Transparency International (TI). With over 15 years of experience in civil society, Luciana is responsible for coordinating TI’s network of chapters in the region and leading regional initiatives. She is also a member of TI’s global working group on gender and inclusion. Previously, she worked as Project Coordinator at Nueva Sociedad, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and as Technical Advisor at the Secretariat for International Affairs of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Luciana was a Ford Foundation fellow, holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Buenos Aires, and a Master’s in International Studies from Universidad Torcuato Di Tella.

João Figueiredo is the Regional Lead for Latin America and the Caribbean at GNDR, with extensive experience in urban development, disaster risk management, and climate change adaptation. He is an architect and urban planner with a master’s degree in International Cooperation for Urban Development from TU-Darmstadt University (Germany) and UIC Barcelona (Spain). João has also led projects in countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. His work focuses on strengthening resilient infrastructure and communities through innovative, locally adapted strategies. He is committed to community empowerment and promotes cross-sector collaboration for sustainable and inclusive development.

Carla Álvarez González is a lawyer specialized in governance, sustainability, and social impact. She represents the Consejo de la Juventud de España (CJE) before the European Youth Forum (YFJ), where she works to strengthen youth participation and the role of civil society in bi-regional cooperation and international dialogue spaces. With experience in diplomacy, human rights, and sustainable development, she fosters alliances that connect young people, institutions, and communities to build more inclusive and sustainable policies.

Pedro P. Bocca holds a degree in International Relations and a master’s in Political Science. He has over 15 years of experience in political advocacy and defense of national and international civil society organizations, covering topics such as civic space and democracy, human rights, climate justice, sustainable development, and development financing. He is currently the Coordinator for International Relations and Public Policy at GIFE, a platform that brings together 170 Brazilian philanthropic institutes and foundations.

Susana Eróstegui is the Executive Director of the Red Boliviana de Cooperación Internacional (REBCI) and the representative of the Mesa de Articulación de Asociaciones Nacionales y Redes Regionales de ONGs de América Latina y el Caribe at the European Union’s Policy Forum on Development. She holds a degree in Communication Sciences and postgraduate studies in Human Rights, Communication for Sustainable Development, and Development Projects. She has experience in institutional management and organizational development, fundraising, public and policy advocacy, strategic communication, transparency and accountability, enabling environment, and multi-stakeholder political dialogue on CSO effectiveness and development effectiveness.

Tania Sánchez Montaño is the Director of Coordinadora de la Mujer, a network of feminist institutions working for women’s rights in Bolivia. She is a member of the CELAC–EU Civil Society Forum of AOED LAC, the Articulación Feminista del Marcosur (AFM), and the Red Trenzando Cuidados. A Bolivian activist and feminist, she has experience in the development of public policies and budgets with a gender perspective, as well as in the planning and implementation of programs that promote equity. She holds a degree in sociology and has specialized in gender, public planning, and budgeting.

José Ramón Ávila is a lawyer who has worked on social projects with vulnerable groups, promoting respect for human rights in Honduras. He has extensive experience in gender, inclusion, land defense, migration, food security, risk management, governance, and citizen participation. Since 2008, he has served as Executive Director of the Asociación de Organismos no Gubernamentales de Honduras (ASONOG) and currently holds the position of Executive Secretary of the Concertación Regional para la Gestión de Riesgo de Centroamérica. In addition, he represents several regional and global networks such as the Alianza de Organizaciones para la Ayuda al Desarrollo, the Foro Ciudadano de las Américas, FORUS, and the Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR).

Jared Ortiz González is a public policy and organizational development professional with a strong background in the nonprofit sector in the Dominican Republic. As Executive Director of Alianza ONG, he leads a multisectoral network dedicated to strengthening the social sector. He has held key roles at Aldeas Infantiles SOS and World Vision, developing expertise in fundraising, communications, program management, and strategic partnerships. Academically, he holds a Specialization in Organizational Development from Tecnológico de Monterrey and a Postgraduate Degree in Senior Business Management. He is currently completing a specialization in International Cooperation Management at FLACSO.

Francisco Mantilaro, based in Patagonia, Argentina, has been a member of Fundación Otras Voces for 25 years and currently serves as its President. He is also a board member of the Red Encuentro de Entidades No Gubernamentales para el Desarrollo, a network with over 40 years of work in Argentina that brings together 40 civil society organizations with representation across the country, addressing issues such as education, youth, gender, human rights, Indigenous peoples, health, and housing, among others. He is also a co-founder of Liquen Consultora, an organization with a regenerative purpose. Francisco is a Psychological Consultant who works from a holistic perspective grounded in non-violent communication, focusing on healing and transformation processes with purpose and impact, supporting communities, companies, governments, and diverse social organizations.

Jessica Vidales Ferro is the Coordinator of the LAC RMD Coalition, an alliance of international NGOs working for the rights of refugees, migrants, and displaced persons in Latin America and the Caribbean. With over 10 years of experience in advocacy, strategic partnerships, and communications in humanitarian and development contexts, she has worked with NRC, Geneva Call, and WFP, as well as serving as a consultant for other organizations. Throughout her career, including in Brussels, she has led advocacy initiatives with governments, the European Union, and UN agencies. A psychologist from Universidad de los Andes and holder of a Master’s in Development from Université Catholique de Louvain, Jessica brings a strategic, multilingual, and collaborative perspective to dialogue and policy-making spaces.

Bibiana Aido Almagro joined UN Women as Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean in September 2025. Previously, she served as UN Women Representative in Colombia since 2021, Country Representative in Ecuador (2017–2021), Programme Adviser for the Americas and the Caribbean (2013–2017), and Special Adviser to the Executive Director (2011–2013) in New York. She served in the Government of Spain as the first Minister of Equality (2008–2010) and later as Secretary of State for Equality (2010–2011). She worked in the Andalusian Regional Government’s Department of Culture, first as Provincial Delegate for Culture in Cádiz (2003–2006) and later as Director of the Andalusian Agency for the Development of Flamenco (2006–2008). She holds a PhD in Business Administration and Management (2012–2016) from the University of Cádiz, Spain, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from the same university (1994–1999). She has received several recognitions for her work in advancing gender equality and women’s rights, including an Honorary Doctorate from Northumbria University (United Kingdom) and the Social Engagement Award from the University of Cádiz (Spain).

Pelayo Castro Zuzuárregui (Valencia, April 14, 1976) is currently Acting Managing Director for the Americas at the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels. He previously served as Adviser in the Cabinet of High Representative Josep Borrell and as Head of Division for Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan in the EEAS. From 2019 to 2021, he was Ambassador of the European Union to Nicaragua, and from 2015 to 2019, Ambassador to Costa Rica. He was also member of the Cabinet of High Representative Catherine Ashton and Head of the Division for Relations with the European Parliament and National Parliaments at the EEAS.

Josefina Sánchez is a prominent national and provincial cooperative leader. She serves as President and General Coordinator of the Soltrecha Workers’ Cooperative (Solidaridad Trento Chaqueña Ltda.), an innovative social enterprise in the field of home care, focused on assisting the elderly, people with disabilities, the sick, and children. She is also President of the Federation of Comprehensive Care Workers’ Cooperatives of Argentina (FECOOP CUIDAR); President of the Members’ Committee of Banco Credicoop, Branch 375; and Board Member of the Federation of Workers’ Cooperatives of Argentina (FECOOTRA). She is part of the board of the former INAES Cooperative and Mutual Care Incubator. She holds a diploma in Care Services for the Elderly and their Cooperative Organization, as well as a postgraduate degree in Social Economy and Nonprofit Entities.

Ximena Torres is the Country Representative of Fundación Avina in Colombia and Program Manager for the Water Program. With more than two decades of experience, she leads multi-stakeholder collaboration initiatives focused on sustainable development, democratic governance, and socio-environmental justice in Latin America. Her work centers on promoting democratic water management, strengthening local capacities, and building alliances that drive transitions toward more equitable and sustainable societies.

Medical doctor, Master in Social Research in Health, and PhD in Bioethics and Collective Health. Researcher, lecturer, and international expert in the fields of the right to health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality. Her most significant contributions to equality have taken place in the field of the right to health, as well as in reflections on care, including an expert opinion presented before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in 2023. She has served as an international consultant for UNFPA, WHO, UN Women, and ECLAC, and was the National Director of Public Health in Colombia. She is co-founder of the Mesa por la Vida y la Salud de las Mujeres, the organization from which the Causa Justa movement emerged—leading Colombia to adopt the most progressive abortion regulation in Latin America and the Caribbean. She is also a member of the Articulación Feminista Marcosur. Her most recent publication, “Conversaciones fuera de la Catedral: una historia del aborto en Colombia”, co-authored with Laila Abu Shihab and Cristina Villareal (Penguin, 2024), explores the history of abortion in Colombia.

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