On April 29th, the Georgetown University Club of Spain’s Barcelona chapter held its second Georgetown Leadership Breakfast, in collaboration with the Círculo Ecuestre. Our guest speaker was Maria Eugènia Gay, Deputy Mayor for International Relations of the City of Barcelona, in conversation with Nina Khalatyan, Director of World in Progress. Georgetown Club of Spain President Rubén López Rivas opened with a few words on the club’s commitment to creating space for dialogue and exchange of ideas.

Barcelona has a compelling case as a global actor: home to the Mobile World Congress, a magnet for multinationals like AstraZeneca, combining world-class infrastructure, talent, connectivity, and quality of life in a way few European cities can match.

The discussion explored how Barcelona builds on these strengths — on peace, human rights, and urban governance — while addressing what its own residents are asking. The housing crisis generated a lively exchange on whether regulatory tools alone are sufficient, or whether attracting investment, additional job creation, and new construction need to be equally central to the agenda.

A rich conversation, and no easy answers.

Thank you to Maria Eugènia Gay, Nina Khalatyan and the Círculo Ecuestre. A special thank you to Natacha Bobin, Javier Marcet, Levón Grigorián and Maria Carroll for making it happen!!

More to come!!!