The Diplomat
The Club de Madrid commemorates this year the twentieth anniversary of its founding in the Spanish capital with a change of its corporate image and with the purpose of “continuing to work for the rule of law, democracy, peace, social inclusion, sustainable development and multi-sectoral dialogue”.
The World Leadership Alliance (WLA)-Club de Madrid organization was created in October 2001, when the Conference on Democratic Transitions and Consolidation (CDTC) was held in the Spanish capital, attended by 35 heads of government from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa, as well as a hundred intellectuals and political experts. The heads of state who participated in that conference became the founding members of WLA-CdM, which has since established itself as “the world’s largest forum of democratically elected former presidents and prime ministers, who leverage their unique leadership experience and global reach to strengthen inclusive democratic practice and improve the well-being of the world’s people”, the organization said in a press release.
“On this momentous occasion, Club de Madrid continues to foster dialogue, build bridges and lead advocacy efforts to strengthen public policy and effective leadership through policy recommendations that meet the aspirations of citizens and the capacity of those responsible for delivering on them,” it continued. “In addition, it will continue to work to ensure the rule of law of democracies, peace, social inclusion, sustainable development and to promote multi-sectoral dialogue to better address the global challenges of today and the future“, it added.
“Multilateral cooperation is more important today than ever and Club de Madrid members are best placed to engage today’s leaders to discuss good governance and the well-being of citizens around the world”, said Club de Madrid President and former President of Slovenia, Danilo Türk. “Our alliance represents an independent effort towards sustainable development, inclusion and peace, which is not linked to the interests or pressures of institutions and governments”, said Laura Chinchilla, Club de Madrid vice president and former president of Costa Rica.
Throughout its history, the note continued, Club de Madrid has tackled different challenges both nationally and globally, such as the support provided to the transition in countries as varied as Bolivia, East Timor, Haiti or Tunisia, its contribution to the improvement of the role of women in the promotion of peace and security in the Horn of Africa, its work on climate change or the organization of the Democracy, Terrorism and Security conference following the September 11 attacks in the United States and the Madrid bombings in 2004, and “which opened an international debate to seek a democratic and human rights approach in the fight against terrorism”. In addition, “throughout 2020, Club de Madrid has led a series of initiatives related to the COVID-19 pandemic urging G20 and European Union leaders to intensify global cooperation to quickly and effectively address the daunting health and economic consequences”, it added.
On the other hand, and coinciding with this anniversary, Club de Madrid has renewed its corporate image by merging the original logo “with a much more current and modern brand identity”. “The new image of the organization will continue to reflect the fundamental values and objectives of the entity for the coming years”, it added.
