Carles Torner
President
Carles Torner was born in Barcelona (1963) and is a writer in Catalan. He was president of IMCS Pax Romana from 1986 to 1991. Upon returning from Paris, he became involved in ICMICA, collaborating with the Joan Maragall Foundation for faith–culture dialogue and, together with his wife Anna Jolonch, as members of a community of the Movement of Catholic Professionals of Barcelona.
He has published six books of poetry and has won the Carles Riba and the Critics’ awards. His most recent title is Vint-i-set Nadals i un rei (2019), which brings together the Christmas poems he sends each year. His latest novel is Ucraïna, mon amour (2023), and he has just published a memoir of his international experience, Com ser ambaixador d’un país sense ambaixades (2025). After completing his doctorate in Sciences of Education at Paris 8, he published Shoah, une pégagogie de la mémoire (2001).
Since 1992 he has held multiple responsibilities within PEN International, which he directed from its London headquarters from 2014 to 2022; since 1994, together with UNESCO, he has promoted the Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights. He has been a professor at three universities and director of the Literature and the Humanities department at the Institut Ramon Llull (2004–2010). Together with Bishop Samuel Ruiz García of San Cristóbal de las Casas, he published the collective book Comment les indiens m’ont converti (2002).
Rev Luis Maria Goicoechea
International Chaplain
Luis María Goicoechea Buruchaga. Murgia (Álava), Basque Country, Spain, 1947. He studied at the Diocesan Seminary and the Faculty of Theology in Vitoria, Álava, and was ordained as a priest in 1972.
Immediately after, he went as a missionary to Machala, Ecuador until 1977, quickly getting involved in the student movements of MIEC-JECI.
In 1978, he started working as an Advisor for the Latin American Secretariat (Lima, Peru) of these movements, where he stayed until 1989. During this time, he collaborated with various teams of young students from different countries in the region. The rich experience of those years, including tensions and conflicts, has left a profound mark on his life.
Upon returning to his diocese, he served in several parishes. He was the Rector of the Diocesan Seminary of Vitoria (2003-2016) and President of the Executive Commission of EGIBIDE (Secondary Education and Vocational Training) of the Diocese of Vitoria and the Society of Jesus (2015-2017).
Since 1992, he has been part of successive international teams of MIIC-ICMICA as a European or global advisor.
Finagnon Jules ZANNOU
Vice President from Africa
Jules is married with four children. He is a Researcher at the University of Abomey-Calavi. He is a founding member of the Catholic Movement of Executives and Political Personalities of Benin (MCCPP)
He has a doctorate in Public Law (University of Parakou) and a DESS (Specialized Higher Studies Diploma) in Governance and Democracy and a DESS Project Management and Local Development (University of Abomey-Calavi) and a diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA) Human Rights and Democracy (UNESCO Chair of the University of Abomey-Calavi).
From February 2019 to June 2021: Country Director of Fondation Graines de Paix (www.grainesdepaixorg). Since 2014 teacher of planning and project management (Faculty of Sciences and Techniques (FAST / UAC) and in Master 1 Community Health of the Faculty of Health Sciences. From November 2009, Honorary President, Founder of the Center for Japanese Culture (CCJ) in Benin. From 1998 to April 2015: National representative in Benin of the French Cultural Association Mémoires d’Afrique (collection of more than 1,500 tales and legends and initiator of “the Night of Tales” and of the National Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage) (www.memoiresdafrique.org);
Elisabet Rosell
Vice President from Europe
Elisabet Rosell i Vives, born in Barcelona in 1958, holds a PhD in Medicine and is a specialist in biochemistry and molecular biology, with over 40 years of experience in the fields of biomedicine and biotechnology. Her career spans public research, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and university teaching, with senior scientific leadership roles in renowned institutions and companies such as Merck KGaA, Oryzon Genomics, and Reig Jofré. An associate professor and master’s program coordinator at Pompeu Fabra University, she has contributed to numerous research projects, scientific publications, and patents. Actively engaged in Catholic Action movements since her youth, notably within Pax Romana and the Moviment de Professionales Catòlicos de Barcelona, she advocates an integrated approach to life grounded in personal coherence, professional ethics, and social impact. Since 2025, she has deliberately reduced her professional activity to dedicate more time to other projects with a strong societal focus.
Anselmo Lee
Vice President from Asia
Anselmo Lee is an adjunct professor at several universities in South Korea, where he lectures on global governance, civil society, international development, and human rights.
He is the founding co-president of Pax Christi Korea (PCK), the Korean branch of the global Catholic peace organisation Pax Christi International. PCK was established in August 2019. He also sits on the Ecology and Environment Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea.
Within the Pax Romana movement, he served as Secretary General of Pax Romana–International Catholic Movement for Intellectual and Cultural Affairs (ICMICA) in Geneva from 1997 to 2004 and as a member of the Asia-Pacific team of the Pax Romana International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS) in Hong Kong from 1988 to 1991.
He is a founding member of the Woori Theology Institute (WTI) which is a national member of the ICMICA in Korea. In the public sphere and civil society, he has promoted human rights and democracy in his roles as Executive Director of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development
(FORUM-ASIA) in Bangkok (2005–2008) and the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) (2008–2010).
Sylvia Caceres,
Vice President from Latin America
Lawyer with +18 years of expertise as a public civil servant. Also, she is a specialist in the management and analysis of public policies focused on the social field such as Labour Administration, Social Security, Vulnerable Populations. She has been in managerial responsibilities and leadership of government workgroups with the participation of civil society focused on results. She also specializes in public procurement law, advising the public and civil sector about human rights Laws.
2020 – 2021 Managing Director Population development and volunteering. Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations.
2018 – 2020 Minister of Labour : Ministry of Labour and Promotion of Employment.
(2018) Deputy Superintendent Promotion and Protection of Health Rights. National Superintendency of Health.
(2017 – 2018) Superintendent National Superintendency of Labour Inspection.
(2016 – 2017) General Secretary Seguro Social de Salud – Essalud.
Currently Miembro del Movimiento de Profesionales Católicos. She was the President from 2007 to 2009.
Iris Almeida,
Vice President for Strategic Orientation and Transformation.
Born in Mumbai, India and educated by the Jesuits at St. Xavier’s, she learned early that leadership is service that transforms lives and brings hope. Her journey began as a student leader engaged in human rights, civil liberties, and women’s movements, leading to her election as President of the All-India Catholic University Federation (1978–1981) and later as International President of IMCS Pax Romana (1982–1986), representing the Church and civil society at regional and global levels, including the United Nations, UNESCO, and major international forums. Over four decades, she has championed human rights, youth leadership, democratic governance, and accountability, contributing to landmark initiatives such as the establishment of the International Criminal Court and global advocacy for the rights of women, children, and Indigenous Peoples. Founder and President of INNOVACONNECT Inc., she provides strategic leadership in executive management, data governance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity risk, finance, and audit, and has held senior executive roles in prominent international and Canadian institutions. A corporate director, independent auditor, and Harvard-certified cybersecurity professional, she holds advanced degrees in management and international law. Alongside her professional commitments, she remains deeply engaged in community service, faith-based leadership, and initiatives supporting youth, Indigenous communities, women’s empowerment, and local solidarity, balancing this with family life and a passion for gardening and cooking.