Bernardino León Gross

A Diplomat with extensive experience in positions of responsibility in Spain, the EU and the UN. 

Specialist in negotiations for conflict resolution (Libya, Egypt, Israel / Palestine, Colombia / Venezuela…), global economic and energy issues (Spain's accession to the G20, energy agreements with Algeria or Bolivia); broad activity on other issues such as migration (negotiations to overcome the 2006 migration crisis - the so-called "Cayucos crisis" - in the Canary Islands), Human Rights (negotiation for the abolition of the death penalty in several countries) , and Cultural Diplomacy / Public Diplomacy. 

Particular attention to Climate Change and Human Rights in the recent years.

Entry into the Diplomatic Career through competitive examinations in 1990.

Education

Master in Human Rights, University of Oxford.

University Master in Peace, Security and Defence | UNED-IUGM |

Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy and International Relations | 1988-1989 | Center for International Studies, University of Barcelona, ​​Spain

Degree in Philosophy | UNED

Law Degree | Faculty of Law, University of Malaga, Spain

Professional experience

Diplomatic Academy of the United Arab Emirates | Managing Director | 2015-2021

President of the “Plan Internacional España” | 2021

United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (unsdsn) | | 2018-2021 

Member of the Networks Strategy Council(https://www.unsdsn.org/networks-strategy-council) chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations to advise the SG and the organization on the vision, expansion strategy, work program and strategies of fundraising for the networking program.

United Nations Organization | United Nations Mission In Libya - Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Deputy Secretary-General level) and Ambassador | 2014-2015
Mediation in the civil war in Libya, which culminated in the signing of the Skhirat Peace Agreement (2015). The only political agreement reached in the country since the fall of Muammar Ghadafi in 2011.

European Union, Special Representative for the Southern Mediterranean | 2011-2014

After the “Arab Spring”, the EU created a team to support political transitions to democracy after revolutions, mediate between different political actors and financially support change processes.

Secretary General of the Presidency of the Government (with the rank of 

Secretary of State) | Moncloa Palace | Spain | 2008-2011

Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs | Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Spain | 2004-2008

Foundation of the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean | Managing Director | Spain-Morocco | 2001-2004

Foundation created by Morocco, the “Junta de Andalucía” and different civil society organizations to promote peace and dialogue in the Mediterranean region, based on the historical experience of a rich and peaceful coexistence of Muslims, Jews and Christians in Andalusia in the Middle Ages.

Barenboim-Said Foundation | Managing Director | 2002-2004

Foundation created by Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim and Palestinian intellectual Edward Said to promote peace through music in the Middle East.

European Union Personal Adviser to the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process | 1998-2001

The team was created as one of the first EU foreign policy experiences, to support the Oslo Process negotiations between Palestinians, other Arabs and Israelis.

Spanish Embassies in Liberia, Algeria and Greece | Diplomat | 1990-1998
Chief of Staff of the President of the National Commission for the Fifth Centennial | 1991-1992

The National Commission coordinated the development of a new and modern relationship with Latin America, supporting transitions to democracy, human rights, and development. He also actively participated in the various commemorative events that took place in Spain.

Department of Public International Law | Faculty ofLaw | University of Malaga | Honorary Collaborating Professor 2017-2021

Lectures

Lectures given on various topics related to international relations, peace and tolerance at universities such as Harvard, Oxford, Sorbonne, Yale, Columbia, Georgetown, UIMP, Tufts, etc.

Acknowledgments

Fletcher School (Tufts University) Jean Meyer Award as "Distinguished Diplomat", in 2013, presented by the J. Meyer Institute for Global Leadership.

"Man of the Year" Award, part of the "Friends of Tunisia Awards", presented by Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa for his contribution to the stability of Tunisia during the "Arab Spring", 2014.

Cross of Carlos III, Legion of Honor of the French Republic and more than twenty Spanish and international decorations.

Doctor (PhD) in Economic and Business Sciences from the University  Autonoma of Madrid, with 28 years of experience, both in the public and private sectors, in international economic relations; economic analysis and studies; institutional relations; diplomacy and approach to European affairs.

He has performed professional tasks in the field of the Congress of Deputies, Economic and Social Council, Deusto Business School, the International Financial Analysts (AFI) entity or the Spanish Credit Bank (Banesto), together with the tasks as associate professor at the Carlos III University and as an expert for the European Commission, the International Labor Organization and the OECD. 

Likewise, he has extensive experience as a private analyst and consultant for different entities and organizations.

Albert Rivera Díaz es Licenciado y Máster en Derecho por ESADE y Doctorando en Derecho Constitucional en la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (2002-2004).

Cursó estudios en la Universidad de Helsinki, Finlandia, en 2001 (Erasmus) y en el año 2009 realiza un curso en Marketing Político en la Universidad George Washington (Estados Unidos).

Durante su etapa universitaria, en representación de la Universidad Ramón Llull, participó en el Campeonato de España “Liga de Debate Universitario” resultando ganador en la edición del año 2001.

Entre el 2002 y el 2006 trabajó en la entidad financiera La Caixa, siendo entre 2003 y 2006 abogado de la Asesoría Jurídica de ésta entidad.

En 2006 funda el partido político Ciudadanos, del cual fue presidente, siendo en varias ocasiones candidato del partido para la Presidencia del Gobierno de España. 

Fue diputado y presidente del partido en el Parlamento de Cataluña del 2006 al 2015. Así mismo fue diputado nacional y presidente del partido del 2015 al 2019.

Actualmente y desde marzo de 2020 es el presidente ejecutivo de Martinez-Echevarría y Rivera Abogados y presidente del Consejo de Administración de la empresa legaltech Meeting Lawyers.

En el 2021 se incorpora al patronato del centro universitario Cardenal Cisneros donde dirigirá el Instituto de Liderazgo Público.

Ha participado como presidente del Jurado de la LEDU (Liga Española de Debate Universitario) en 2020 y 2021.

Lawyer

She has a long professional career in the field of strategic advice and business development, focusing her experience on consulting specialized in communication, reputation management and strategic planning, both in public and private organizations. 

She has been president of SIGMADOS and a member of the PWC Advisory Council. 

Counselor of the firm TdA (asset securitization), Director of the Presidency of the Spanish multinational company Celsa Group, a member of the Advisory Council of the firm New Horizon Capital, as well as a member of the Advisory Council of the More Than Research demographic group.