El día 5 de mayo, desde Georgetown Club of Spain Barcelona, con la inestimable colaboración del Círculo Ecuestre de Barcelona, tuvimos la oportunidad de disfrutar de una noche que fue distinta a las cena-coloquio tradicionales. Organizamos una sesión que mira hacia el futuro de la geopolítica y la globalización desde diferentes prismas; recurso escasos, cadenas de suministros, interdependencia económica, comercial y tecnológica, multilaterarismo, actores internacionales emergentes…

No sólo los ponentes (el doctor Juan Luis Manfredi y el excelentísimo Embajador Sr. Todd Robinson, ex embajador de EEUU) nos ilustraron con su profundo conocimiento sobre los temas mencionados, sino también muchos de los presentes aportaron su visión al respecto, argumentando su posición con solidez, dando pie a un debate múltiple de hondo calado donde todos los asistentes tuvieron la posibilidad de intervenir y aprender tanto cómo su curiosidad les permitió.

En resumen: una noche de debate donde quedó patente que, aún defendiendo posturas opuestas, se puede crear espacios de formación de opinión fundamentada donde prima el respeto a las personas, la educación y la libertad de expresión.

Muchas gracias al Círculo Ecuestre por habernos facilitado el espacio donde ha aflorado la magia.

Gracias a nuestro presidente: Rubén López Rivas, al equipo: Levón Grigorián, Natacha Bobin, Maria Carroll y a James S., Manuel Garcia, Carlos Canivell Cretchley, manuel Vazquez, Hugo de Bot , Carlos Lara Castro, Joan Sendra, Andrés da Silva y todos los demás presentes que hicieron de la cena-coloquio un momento único y ojalá repetible.

More to come!!!

Desde el Georgetown Club of Spain, ha sido un placer participar en el #SpainPolicyTrek, una iniciativa que ha reunido en Madrid a estudiantes de políticas públicas de nuestra alma mater, Georgetown University (Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service y Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy), y de Harvard University (Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education), para acercarles a la realidad institucional, política y económica de España.

A lo largo de una semana, los participantes tuvieron la oportunidad de dialogar con responsables públicos, académicos, representantes de la sociedad civil y líderes de distintos ámbitos, explorando algunos de los principales retos y oportunidades de nuestro país.

Desde el Georgetown Club of Spain, ha sido un placer contribuir a esta iniciativa colaborando en el encuentro social de alumni y estudiantes que puso el broche final a la semana, y tener la oportunidad de conectar con una nueva generación de líderes de Georgetown y Harvard interesados en las políticas públicas y en España.

Nuestro agradecimiento a la Spanish Public Policy Network (SPPN) por impulsar y organizar este magnífico proyecto, así como a todas las instituciones y personas que hicieron posible esta primera edición.

¡Esperamos que sea la primera de muchas!

Este viernes día 22 de mayo, en Jai-Alai, dentro de nuestro ciclo de desayunos de liderazgo sobre perspectivas de talento y competitividad en España, hemos tenido el gran honor y el privilegio de contar con Carlos Franganillo, periodista, redactor y  director de informativos en Mediaset España. Carlos nos ha ofrecido una visión sobre el panorama de los medios de comunicación, especialmente de la televisión, analizando su situación actual y compartiendo ejemplos de liderazgo desde su experiencia profesional.

Hemos tenido la oportunidad de analizar la evolución de los medios de comunicación, marcada por una tendencia hacia la descentralización ante la irrupción de las redes sociales y las nuevas tecnologías. Todo ello en un paradigma de negocio complejo, condicionado por la caída de audiencias en los medios tradicionales y por la necesidad de buscar soluciones alternativas y no convencionales.

De igual forma, hemos dialogado sobre el cambio en el perfil profesional de las nuevas incorporaciones al mercado laboral en este sector, cada vez más adaptado a las nuevas tecnologías. También hemos reflexionado sobre la dificultad de centrar la comunicación en cuestiones de fondo frente a contenidos más sensacionalistas o con mayor impacto político.

Los asistentes, con formaciones y trayectorias profesionales muy diversas, hemos tenido la oportunidad de intercambiar opiniones y dialogar en un entorno privilegiado, abierto y constructivo, disfrutando de un estupendo desayuno.

Muchas gracias a Carlos Franganillo, y enhorabuena por su excelente intervención. Igualmente, muchas gracias a Dimas Tejero por hacer posible este desayuno, y a Juan Luis Manfredi por su apoyo incondicional en la organización.

Esperamos poder mantener este nivel en próximos encuentros. Es un orgullo para nuestra comunidad en España contar con profesionales tan completos y con valores tan sólidos.

Hoya Saxa!

On May 22nd-24th, we continued our Club’s «National Events» chapter with an unforgettable weekend at Barcelona.

The Georgetown Club of Spain celebrated a very special weekend in Barcelona. On Friday, May 22nd, club members gathered for cocktails and dinner at the Cotton House, housed in the landmark former headquarters of the Cotton Makers Guild.

On Saturday, May 23rd, members of the Club joined for a guided tour of Vilarnau Winery in the heart of the Penedès, with a cava tasting and «al fresco» lunch. The visit was amazing and included a very comprehensive explanation on the wine and cava production, including the tasting of different varieties; the experience finished with a BBQ lunch with the best views of the winery and of Montserrat.

A sincere Thank You to Luis González-Sterling and Rosemary Blake for their spectacular welcome and for making it all happen.

Thank you also to Natacha Bobin, Meredith Chasney and Carlos Miranda for the amazing organization.

Hoya Saxa!

On June 30th, we wrapped up June with a thought-provoking conversation at our Barcelona Leadership Breakfast Series, held at the Círculo Ecuestre.

Salva Badillo, former police officer, high-intensity negotiator, and author of “The Negotiator’s Code”, reminded us that the most difficult negotiations are rarely resolved by simply responding to what the other party says they want. The key lies in understanding the interests, concerns, or needs behind that position.

Among the key takeaways were: understanding how a negotiator combines strategy and technique to create the conditions for reaching an agreement, recognizing when someone is willing to sacrifice an agreement rather than concede, understanding that a negotiator helps people make decisions, and accepting that the goal is not to reach consensus, but to build agreements that all parties can uphold.

Special thank you to Salva Badillo, to the Círculo Ecuestre and to Levón Grigorián, Maria Carroll, Rubén López Rivas, Javier Marcet and Natacha Bobin to make it possible.

Next stop: Barcelona, Arquitecture’s World Capital 2026. Stay tuned.

Hoya Saxa!

On Wednesday, July 1st, our Hoya Community had the great opportunity to say hello to the summer time. We had the privilege to meet together at one of the most comfortable rooftops in Spain, with magnificent views in the heart of Madrid, taking a break on our routines and enjoying of a great cocktail and of rich conversations.

On Thursday, July 23, the Georgetown Club of Spain, Barcelona Chapter, joined the IMD Alumni Club of Spain in celebrating Barcelona’s designation as UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture 2026 at an event coordinated by the IMD Alumni Club of Spain and hosted by Accenture España in the iconic modernist building Torre de la Rotonda.

As part of Barcelona’s year as UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture 2026, a citywide program brings together more than 1,500 activities from February to December across the city’s ten districts, including exhibitions, concerts, debates, guided itineraries and exclusive access to remarkable buildings that are not usually open to the public. If you’re in Barcelona this year, don’t miss it! See link in comment.

Thank you to the IMD Alumni Club of Spain for bringing our communities together and coordinating this event, to Accenture España for its warm hospitality, to Ninoska Juan Alvarez, Technical Coordinator of Barcelona World Capital of Architecture 2026, for an inspiring presentation of the program’s highlights, and to Joan Sendra, of the IMD Alumni Club of Spain and Accenture España, for expertly moderating the conversation.

Wishing everyone a great summer. See you in the fall with more events in Barcelona. Hoya Saxa!

On September 30th, the Georgetown Club of Spain Barcelona Chapter welcomed Ambassador Todd Robinson to the Círculo Ecuestre for a Leadership Series dinner on Venezuela’s uncertain future.

Drawing on his experience as the top U.S. diplomat in Caracas, a posting that ended abruptly in 2018 when Nicolás Maduro declared him persona non grata and expelled him from the country, Ambassador Robinson offered a frank assessment of Venezuela’s political, economic and social challenges, and what the U.S. capture of Maduro might mean for the country’s future.

Venezuelans based in Barcelona brought personal perspectives to the discussion, speaking candidly about entrenched corruption, hyperinflation and unemployment, recurring power cuts, the departure of a generation of professionals, and a population worn down by years of hardship and uncertainty.

The conversation also explored where the political opposition now stands, the motivations behind the Trump Administration’s military raid, and the potential roles of China and Russia, Venezuela’s longstanding partners.

We were also grateful to have The Honorable Mark Dybul, MD, a fellow Barcelona Hoya, join us for the evening.

Our thanks to Ambassador Robinson for his candor, to the Círculo Ecuestre for its hospitality, and to everyone who contributed to such a lively and thought-provoking evening.

Hoya Saxa!

On October 21^st, at the auditorium of Campus Arrupe, we had the privilege to live a passionate discussion, highlighting an avantgarde topic that combines innovation, technology and values in the context of a changing society:

“Pensar con máquinas: la universidad ante la inteligencia artificial”.

Father Antonio Allende SJ, President of Universidad Pontificia de Comillas, leaded the speech, sharing with us his insights on how universities are dealing with artificial intelligence by preserving human values, on how the university of the future might look like, and on how relevant is the process of learning, understanding IA limitations and advantages.

This interactive dialogue was moderated by Prof. Ignacio Uria, PhD (Universidad de Alcalá), one of our most prominent Club members. Prof. Ignacio shared his reflections providing a well conducted analysis enriching the conversation.

It was a great pleasure for all of us to be part of a rich discussion in a great atmosphere, followed by drinks and tapas.

On October 22nd, the Georgetown Club of Spain hosted a breakfast discussion at the Círculo Ecuestre in Barcelona on “Lebanon and Syria Under the Shadow of War: Regional Conflict and the Challenges for European Engagement.”

We were pleased to welcome Tim Kaldas, Deputy Director of the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, and Natalia Sancha, International News Editor at El País and Senior Fellow at the Elcano Royal Institute, for a timely conversation on the political and regional dynamics shaping the Middle East.

The discussion brought together participants from diverse national, cultural and professional backgrounds, including individuals with personal and professional ties to the region. The exchange reflected a wide range of perspectives, informed by academic and policy expertise as well as lived experience.

Fostering open dialogue across different perspectives is central to the Georgetown Club‘s mission. Our events provide a forum for respectful debate and the exchange of ideas, without endorsing any particular political position.

Our thanks to Tim and Natalia for joining us, to everyone who contributed to the discussion and to the Círculo Ecuestre for hosting the event.

Hoya Saxa!

Post by Elcano Royal Institute: https://x.com/rielcano/status/2113585019876782254