The Institute of Studies on Conflict and Humanitarian Action is an academic institution based in Madrid, Spain. Jesus A. Nunez Villaverde has been one of the two Directors of the Institute since its initiation.
The Instituto de Estudios sobre Conflictos y Accion Humanitaria (IECAH) was founded in 2000 as a private initiative that groups specialized analysts in the study of conflicts, global trends, humanitarian aid and development cooperation. Jesus’ specialization is in security and international development, and the Arab-Islamic world. In addition to leading the think-tank, Jesus’ work focuses on the role of Spain within the global political context and its relations with the two regions most profoundly linked to Spain: Latin America and the Mediterranean. “For Spain, but also for the rest of the European Union, the stability and well-being of its southern periphery is vital.”, Jesus explained. “The development and security of the Mediterranean is fundamental for our own well-being and stability.”, he adds.
The IECAH is engaged in an ongoing dialogue with non-governmental organizations, the private sector and governments regarding the development of the Mediterranean region, which includes countries as diverse as Israel, Libya, Palestine, France and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The IECAH believes that those countries located within the European Union must play a more active role in supporting the economic growth of non-members. “The Mediterranean is, or should be, a priority area of interest for Spain and the European Union; however, and despite successive attempts, today it remains far from being a prosperous and stable region.”, Jesus said. “Spain cannot just follow the EU pace, it should aspire to recoup its privileged dialogue with non-EU countries as intermediary and counsel for the defense. For this it is indispensable to provide more resources to the task.”, he said.
Jesus is a retired member of the military, having studied at the Academia General Militar de Zaragoza. He gained a degree in Economic and Business Sciences at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in 1989. In addition to his role with the IECAH, he is a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (London) and a lecturer in International Relations at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas (Madrid). He speaks English, German, Galician and French.
In the future the IECAH plans to cement its links with civil society and governments in researching ways to reduce conflict and improve humanitarian support. “We have to strengthen the role of civil society in all terrains, with NGOs, women and business actors as especially important elements”.
