Draft:Carlos Batallas

• Comment: He may or may not be notable; the sources I am able to evaluate mention his name but are not about him. Please read this information about the kind of sourcing that would be necessary.
  This issue is in addition to the ones mentioned above, non-neutral tone and lack of inline citations. bonadea contributions talk 16:04, 19 December 2024 (UTC)

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Carlos Batallas

Carlos Batallas (born 6 May 1964, in Madrid, Spain) is a Spanish humanitarian professional coach and academic with over three decades of experience in international relations and humanitarian aid. He has held senior leadership positions in organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Movimiento por la Paz, el Desarme y la Libertad (MPDL).

Early Life and Education

Born in Madrid, Batallas earned a degree in Political Science and Sociology from the Complutense University of Madrid in 1989, specializing both in International Studies and in Political Science. He later pursued doctoral coursework in International Studies at the same institution, focusing on European Union and Latin American cooperation.

In May 1994, Batallas achieved suficiencia investigadora (research proficiency), marking the completion of the advanced research stage of his doctoral studies. Additionally, in 2014, he completed an official Master’s degree in Human Resources, which provided him with advanced training in strategic talent management, organizational development, and leadership in complex environments.

To enhance his leadership and strategic management skills, Batallas pursued executive education at two of the world’s leading business schools. At IMD Business School, he focused on advanced leadership, strategic decision-making, and managing high-performing teams. His studies at IE Business School further deepened his understanding of organizational strategy, innovation, and talent development, providing tools to align his humanitarian leadership with cutting-edge management practices.

During his academic years, Batallas was actively involved in university governance, serving as a member of the council of the Department of Public International Law and International Relations, representing second-cycle students during the 1988–1989 academic year.

Professional Career

Academic Contributions

Carlos Batallas began his career in academia as a PhD student at the Faculty of Political Science and Sociology at the Complutense University of Madrid. He also contributed to European Studies research, focusing on regional integration and international cooperation. Currently, he serves as an adjunct professor at IE University, teaching International Humanitarian Law (IHL) at IESPEGA and at the Master In International Legal Studies and Negotation at the Master in International Development.

In addition to teaching, Batallas has published several scholarly articles. Among his works are: • “The European Community in the Gulf War and Post-War Period: The Need for European Unity” (Tiempo de Paz, 1991) • “Political Changes in the East during 1989” (Tiempo de Paz, 1990) • “El derecho internacional humanitario en los conflictos actuales” (Tiempo de Paz, Issue 150, 2022) Read Article • “Diplomacia humanitaria: Un faro en el desorden mundial” (Tiempo de Paz, Issue 153, 2023) Read Article

Leadership and Humanitarian Experience

Carlos Batallas has spent over three decades in humanitarian service, working with both the Movimiento por la Paz, el Desarme y la Libertad (MPDL) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). His career is defined by leadership roles in conflict and post-conflict zones, managing complex operations, negotiating with diverse stakeholders, and implementing life-saving programs in challenging conditions.

Early Career with MPDL

From 1991 to 1996, Batallas served as the International Programmes Coordinator at MPDL. During this period, he established the organization’s Humanitarian Aid Department, which became instrumental in delivering assistance to vulnerable populations. He workied mainly in the Former Yugoslavia, more specifically in Croatia and BiH. He secured over €15 million in funding from the European Commission’s Humanitarian Office (ECHO), the United Nations, and other donors, enabling MPDL to launch and manage large-scale humanitarian projects in the former Yugoslavia, Africa, and Latin America.

Batallas oversaw programs addressing the needs of displaced populations, provided emergency aid in conflict zones, and implemented initiatives focused on development and capacity-building for local communities. He managed a multidisciplinary team of seven staff at headquarters and over 60 field personnel, ensuring effective coordination and delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Tenure with the ICRC

In 1996, Batallas joined the ICRC, beginning a 26-year career that spanned over 20 countries and included roles of increasing responsibility. His fieldwork started in Rwanda, where he worked on tracing and reuniting families separated by the Rwandan genocide. Assignments in Zaire, Peru, and Colombia followed, where he focused on protecting civilians, engaging with non-state armed groups, and promoting compliance with International Humanitarian Law.

In Angola., as Head of Subdelegation in Huambo, he directed operations aimed at improving conditions for civilians affected by civil war, managing food aid and agricultural programs for over 300,000 people. Later, in Namibia, as Head of Mission, Batallas established a new ICRC office, negotiated with local authorities to access security detainees, and implemented humanitarian programs, including initiatives on HIV prevention and dissemination of International Humanitarian Law principles.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina he rebuilt operational cohesion within the delegation, supported efforts to address the issue of missing persons and strengthened relations with government authorities and civil society organizations.

As number two of the Israel and the Occupied Territories Delegation, he was involved in high-level negotiations with both Palestinian and Israeli political and military authorities, overseeing sensitive security-related operations, and advocating for detainee rights.

At ICRC headquarters in Geneva, Batallas took on strategic roles, including Deputy Head of Operations for Western, Central Europe and the Balkans from 2006 to 2009. He managed responses to crises in Western and Central Europe and reorganized operations in the Balkans. From 2014 to 2017, as Project Lead for International Assignment Planning, he implemented frameworks to optimize global talent deployment and development, enhancing organizational effectiveness.

In Guatemala, as Head of Mission, Batallas rebuilt the ICRC’s presence by strengthening relationships with local authorities and civil society. He launched initiatives on youth violence prevention and migration assistance, ensuring humanitarian principles were effectively promoted in a challenging sociopolitical landscape. Additionally, he implemented a project on missing persons. Lobbied civil society and authorities for parliamentary approval of a missing persons law

In Iraq, Batallas oversaw regional humanitarian operations during a period of heightened conflict, providing critical aid to displaced persons and promoting International Humanitarian Law among conflicting parties. Similarly, in Jordan, he coordinated border operations to support refugees from the Syrian crisis, managing emergency aid delivery and liaising with local authorities and international agencies.

His subsequent assignments in Yemen and the Democratic Republic of Congo involved leading operations in volatile security environments. In Yemen, as Head of Mission in Aden, he strengthened networks with political and security actors while realigning operational strategies to meet growing humanitarian needs. In Goma, he expanded ICRC activities to hard-to-access areas, overseeing a team of 500 personnel.

Most recently, in Kyrgyzstan, he managed relations with national authorities and the diplomatic community, supervised detention-related programs, and coordinated activities with the broader Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Humanitarian Impact

Throughout his career, Batallas has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to humanitarian principles, combining strategic vision with operational excellence. His leadership has consistently focused on strengthening organizational capabilities, fostering collaboration, and delivering impactful humanitarian responses. Whether leading field teams in conflict zones, managing global operations, or engaging with stakeholders at the highest levels, Batallas has remained dedicated to alleviating suffering and promoting human dignity in the most challenging environments.

Current Activities

Since concluding his tenure with the ICRC in 2022, Carlos Batallas has dedicated himself to humanitarian, academic, and coaching pursuits. He continues to serve as an adjunct professor at IE University, specializing in teaching International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and negotiation.

Batallas is actively engaged as a board member of the Movimiento por la Paz, el Desarme y la Libertad (MPDL), where he provides strategic guidance and oversight. Additionally, he volunteers with the Spanish Red Cross, contributing to its International Humanitarian Law Department.

Carlos is a certified Ikigai® Coach from the Ikigai Coaching Institute and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF). He also holds an EMCC Senior Practitioner Certification. His coaching work focuses on career and life coaching, particularly for humanitarian professionals, addressing career transitions, work-life balance, and the psychological impacts of humanitarian work   .

Personal Life and Skills

Carlos Batallas resides in Madrid, Spain. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and French, with additional proficiency in Portuguese and Russian. Known for his analytical and diplomatic skills, Batallas excels in crisis management, strategic planning, and humanitarian program design.