Leonel FERNÁNDEZ REYNA (Board Member, 2023-present)

Leonel Fernández, Dominican Republic, is a prominent Dominican politician, lawyer, professor and writer who has played a prominent role in the promotion of academic, political, social and cultural issues, both nationally and internationally.

He had been elected President of the Dominican Republic on three occasions (1996-2000); (2004-2012), exercising a democratic, transformative and progressive mandate. He promoted a constitutional reform for the consolidation of a social and democratic rule of law; promoted economic growth, sustainable development, the implementation of social policies aimed at poverty reduction and stimulated a remarkable development in the country’s infrastructure.

Several universities in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America have awarded him with the title of Doctor Honoris Causa for his contributions to democracy, respect for human rights, dialogue among peoples, peace and social justice. These institutions of higher education include, among others, the Sorbonne University, the University of Paris 8, the University of Massachusetts, Seton Hall University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Lehman College, University of South Florida, University of Santiago de Chile, Universidad Nacional General San Martín, Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña and Universidad Nacional de Panamá.

The University of Jordan honored him by naming its Center for Latin American Studies after him. The University of Alcalá awarded him its Gold Medal.

He has been distinguished with the Legion of Honor, France; the Order of the Aztec Eagle, Mexico; and the Orden José Martí, of Cuba.

He is the author of the books “The United States in the Caribbean”; “Roots of a usurped power”; “The new paradigm”; “The crime of public opinion”; “Years of formation”; “Years of advancement”; “Ideas in conflict: Posthumous Dialogue between Juan Bosch and John Bartlow Martin”; and “In defense of the Constitution”.

He is currently president of the Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE); of the United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic (ANU-RD), of the World Federation of United Nations (WAFUNA), and former president of the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean Foundation (EULAC).

He is a member of several international institutions, such as the Círculo de Montevideo, the Council of Freely Elected Heads of Government, the Inter-American Dialogue and the Club of Madrid.

He is founder and president of the Partido Fuerza del Pueblo (People’s Force Party).