Who We Are?
Leadership and Institutional Backing
Led by Prof. Dr. Ana Salinas, EUSECRAL is supported by the University of Malaga, the Malaga City Council, and prestigious international societies such as ESIL and AEPDIRI.
Our Objetives
Fostering Democratic Participation
Promoting civic engagement and common EU values to counter the rise of disinformation.
Strengthening International Cooperation
Acting as a vector for public diplomacy towards third countries and global organizations.
Technical Capacity Building
Training professionals and civil servants in managing diversity and public security.
Our Team
Ana Salinas de Frías
University of Málaga. Director of the Center of Excellence and Key Teaching Staff.
Full Professor of EU Law. Ana Salinas de Frías serves as the Director of the Center of Excellence and the Coordinator of all project activities. As a member of the Key Teaching Staff, she is responsible for the overall strategic direction and implementation of the program. Her role involves high-level coordination to ensure that all academic and organizational objectives are met within the framework of the Center’s mission.
Bernardino León Gross
University of Málaga. Deputy-Director, Advisor, and Diplomat.
A prominent diplomat, Bernardino León Gross has served as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya and the EU Special Representative for the Arab Springs. He possesses extensive practical knowledge of EU Law, particularly regarding Common Foreign and Security Policy and terrorist threats. He serves as Deputy-Director and Advisor to the Center, contributing his international experience to teaching and chairing the II International Conference.
Ángel Rodríguez-Vergara
University of Málaga. Full Professor of Constitutional Law.
Ángel Rodríguez-Vergara is a specialist in EU compared law and fundamental rights. As Key Teaching Staff, he co-operates in teaching EU law for Law Degree students. His expertise focuses on the protection of fundamental rights within complex contemporary scenarios, including border management, immigration status, and radical speech, providing a critical academic foundation for the project’s educational components.
Alejandro Sánchez Frías
University of Málaga. Associated Professor of EU Law.
Specialized in EU Law and International Relations, Alejandro Sánchez Frías is a fellow of the College of Bruges with research expertise in human rights and criminal law. In addition to his management duties, he teaches the EU legal framework and global governance, specifically highlighting the human dimension of security. He also serves as the director of the II International Conference foreseen in the program.
Ignacio Álvarez Arcá
University of Málaga. Lecturer of EU Law.
Ignacio Álvarez Arca focuses his research on EU external relations, security, and EU diplomacy. He is involved in management activities and is responsible for sharing undergraduate courses. Furthermore, he coordinates the first International Conference, including the kick-off meeting, and plays a central role in the organizational activities of the Center to ensure operational success.
Juan José Escobar Steeman
University of Málaga. Advisor and Experienced Diplomat.
An experienced diplomat and former Spanish ambassador to Iraq, Juan José Escobar Steeman has extensive experience with Palestinian movements and violent extremism. He serves as an advisor and key teacher, bringing a wealth of knowledge on terrorism within the EU. He chairs high-level research seminars focused on countering terrorism, providing a key practical perspective to the Center’s academic activities.
José Jesús Delgado
University of Málaga. Full Professor of Education.
José Jesús Delgado is a Full Professor of Education with significant experience in international EU-funded projects. His work focuses on radicalization and the role of education in prevention. He has collaborated with European consortia involving the Czech Republic, Ireland, Spain, and Nepal. He contributes to the second seminar on radicalization prevention, enriching discussions with his specialized pedagogical background.
Jorge Cardona Llorens
University of Valencia. Full Professor of EU Law.
A former Spanish Representative at the Committee of the Rights of the Child, Jorge Cardona Llorens specializes in the protection of children in difficult situations, such as armed conflicts and terrorism. He has a long career as a researcher in public international law. He is in charge of the second international seminar of research on human rights, collaborating closely with Prof. López Guerra.
Ángel Sánchez Legido
University of Castilla-La Mancha. Full Professor of EU Law.
Ángel Sánchez Legido possesses deep knowledge and a rich research background in EU immigration law, with numerous publications in prestigious journals. As guest staff, he is responsible for the first international high-level seminar on Immigration and Human Rights. His expertise provides the project with a high degree of specialization in the legal complexities of migration and human rights.
María Dolores Bollo Arocena
University of the Basque Country. Associated Professor in EU Law.
An experienced researcher in EU Law and Public International Law, María Dolores Bollo Arocena focuses her work on migration problems and international relations. She is involved in teaching EU migration law at the postgraduate level. She also coordinates the III International Conference at the Center of Excellence, utilizing her extensive experience in organizing international courses at her home university.
Eduardo Jiménez Pineda
University of Córdoba. Lecturer in EU Law.
Eduardo Jiménez Pineda contributes to general managerial tasks and teaching in postgraduate courses regarding the EU Legal framework and Global governance. Due to his international experience, he is heavily involved in IT processes, publications, and the production of documents for the Center. He acts as a bridge for management activities and academic production within the project.
Luis López Guerra
University Carlos III Madrid. Full Professor and Former Judge (ECHR).
A former Judge at the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of Spain, Luis López Guerra is a highly noted practitioner and senior researcher. With an enormous experience and global links, he serves as the director of the first high-level international research seminar. His work focuses on the protection of Human Rights within the EU in a post-globalization scenario.
Gianluca Esposito
Council of Europe. Director General (DG I).
Gianluca Esposito is the Director General at the DG I (Human Rights and Legal Advice) of the Council of Europe. He contributes his high expertise in approaching international and domestic policymakers. He chairs the High-level I International Conference and acts as an inspiring staff member for students, bridging the gap between governmental authorities and the Center’s academic goals.
Manuel Lezertúa Rodríguez
Ombudsman of the Basque Country.
Formerly the Director of Public International Law and Legal Advice at the Council of Europe, Manuel Lezertúa Rodríguez currently serves as the Ombudsman of the Basque Country. His long experience as a Jurisconsult in international organizations is key to connecting teaching activities with the practical effects of law. He teaches undergraduate courses on EU law for law and business management students.
José de la Mata
EUROJUST. Vice-President and Judge.
José de la Mata is the Spanish Representative and Vice-President of EUROJUST. With a long career as a judge at the Audiencia Nacional, he has outstanding expertise in international and European cooperation in criminal matters. His research focuses on human rights, security, radicalization, and terrorism. He chairs the III High-level International Conference, bringing top-tier judicial experience to the project.
Óscar Alarcón Jiménez
Council of Europe. Administrator (Criminal Co-operation).
An administrator in charge of international co-operation in criminal matters, Óscar Alarcón Jiménez is a highly specialized member of the Council of Europe secretariat. He deals with human trafficking, organ trafficking, and terrorism. He is well-connected with international police and customs officers. He organizes international conferences and is in charge of the second High-level research seminar and management team.
Eva Jiménez González
Ministry of Justice. Guest Staff / Specialist.
Eva Jiménez González is highly specialized in radicalization, violent extremism, and terrorism from a psychological-forensic perspective. She has organized numerous international activities and serves as a RAN ambassador. She brings both theoretical knowledge and practitioner-level experience to the project, specifically leading the second international high-level research seminar focused on these critical security issues.
Amaia Lezertúa Martínez
UNHCR. Guest Staff / Professional.
An experienced professional dealing with forced migrations, women’s rights, and human rights, Amaia Lezertúa Martínez works with refugees and protection mechanisms both within the EU and in third countries. She has demonstrated high capacity for managerial tasks in international events and protection in harsh conditions. She is instrumental in organizing the I and II International High-level Conferences.
Solomon Lumba
University of the Philippines. Ph.D. Candidate and Faculty of Law.
Solomon Lumba holds an outstanding position at the Faculty of Law of the University of the Philippines and is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Málaga. He provides a third-country perspective on EU law and policies regarding security and immigration. His participation serves as "paradiplomacy" for EU policies, and he is committed to organizing seminars at his home university.
Sedfrey Candelaria
Judicial Academy of the Philippines. Director and Professor.
Sedfrey Candelaria is a professor at the University of the Philippines and Director of the Judicial Academy of the Philippines. He has extensive experience in the core issues of the project and a strong interest in EU law and policies as a source for ongoing reforms in the Philippine law system. He contributes to training sessions for judges and magistrates.
Jill Tao
University of Incheon, South Korea. Full Professor.
A Full Professor of International Relations, Jill Tao has a long relationship with the University of Málaga. She provides a third-country researcher's perspective on EU issues. She serves as an informal ambassador for EU policies concerning immigration and security. She is involved in research seminars and is committed to organizing a seminar on these topics in South Korea.
Rastra Bimochan
National College of Law Sanapa. Associated Professor.
Rastra Bimochan has an important research background in cyberlaw, which is crucial for discussions within the project. He specifically contributes to seminars on radicalization prevention and countering terrorism and human rights. His participation ensures a diverse geographic perspective and specialized legal expertise in digital and security-related law.
Gleider Hernández
KU Leuven University. Professor and President of ESIL.
As the current President of the European Society of International Law (ESIL), Gleider Hernández has extensive teaching and research experience. He is deeply committed to research concerning ethics and values. His contribution gives a true European dimension to the Center’s activities, including international conferences, research seminars, and the supervision of potential Ph.D. candidates.
Christina Binder
Bundeswehr University Munich. Professor.
Christina Binder is a professor with a long career in human rights issues. As a former member of the ESIL board and an active associated member, she provides a crucial European dimension to the Center’s international conferences and research activities. She is involved in research seminars and the supervision of Ph.D. candidates, focusing on the Center’s main fields of activity.
Adriana di Stefano
University of Catania. Guest Staff / Researcher.
Adriana di Stefano is an active researcher specialized in EU values, fundamental rights, women’s rights, human rights, and immigration and security problems. She has numerous publications in these fields. She contributes to the European dimension of the research seminars and the overall project, including the supervision of Ph.D. candidates resulting from the Center’s work.