Team
Our Team
At Helsinki España-Dimensión Humana, our team of highly skilled and committed professionals drives our mission to promote human rights, education, and international training in peace operations, conflict resolution, and security. Their expertise ensures the smooth running of the organization and the successful delivery of our initiatives in Spain and abroad.
María Jaén Barandiarán
President / Project Director
Maria Jaén holds a degree in Business Administration from the Universidad Europea de Madrid and a Masters in Marketing from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. In 2001, she was selected as an International Visitor for the U.S. Government’s IVLP program and from 2000-2001 she was selected for a European Social Fund Scholarship. She completed her English studies at Georgetown University in 2009. In 2021, she was awarded the Serge Lazareff Award issued by NATO.
She joined Helsinki Spain in 1999 and since then has been working for this organization, carrying out projects and seminars on human rights, conflict resolution, poverty eradication and peace building from a multicultural approach. In 2020 he assumed the presidency of Helsinki Spain – Human Dimension.
Ana María Nieto Centeno
Vice President
Ana Nieto received her law degree from the Universidad Complutense (Madrid). She has more than 30 years of experience in private practice as a lawyer. From 1995 to 2014 she was Secretary General of Helsinki Spain.
She has conducted several researches related to the improvement of higher education and professional ethics in teaching, participated in numerous international workshops and seminars on Human Rights and poverty alleviation in cooperation with OSCE, UN and EU. In 2015 she was elected President of Helsinki Spain. She is currently Vice President of Helsinki España – Human Dimension.
Silvia Escobar
Vice President
Silvia Escobar is a leading Spanish expert on human rights. She has been Director of the Human Rights Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Spanish Ambassador for Human Rights. She was a founding member and first president of Amnesty International in Spain, Director of Social Services of the Spanish Red Cross, Secretary General of the Humanitarian Law Center of the Spanish Red Cross and Secretary General of the CEAR Foundation.
She has been part of numerous diplomatic missions with the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the EU, holding the position of president of the EU dialogues with third countries during the Spanish presidency of the EU in 2010. She is currently a visiting professor at several Spanish universities and Vice President of Helsinki España – Human Dimension.
Beatriz Boris
Institutional Relations / Project director
Beatriz Boris holds a degree in Psychology and a degree in Marketing from the Autonomous University of Madrid, as well as a Master’s in Economics from the University of Amsterdam. Her connection with Helsinki España began in 2001, when she coordinated the “Youth for Youth” project for two years. Since then, she has developed her career in different industries and organizations, always aiming to foster strategic partnerships and lead the expansion of projects.
Her curiosity about the world and interest in cultural differences have led her to live in seven countries across four continents. She now returns to Helsinki España with the enthusiasm to contribute to the expansion of its projects and increase its impact.
Beatriz Bastida
Project coordinator: “Youth for youth: educating in human rights and SDGs”
Beatriz Bastida holds a degree in International Relations from the Complutense University of Madrid and a Master’s degree in International Protection of Human Rights from the University of Alcalá. She has experience in project management in non-governmental organizations and in the Directorate General for Cooperation with the State and the European Union of the Community of Madrid. She has also worked as a social mediator with asylum seekers in international protection centers and with migrant women in the context of prostitution.
In 2023, she participated as a volunteer in the “Youth for Youth: Educating in Human Rights and SDGs” project
Our volunteers
The humanitarian work carried out by Helsinki España would not be possible without the efforts of our large team of volunteers. We have volunteers from different academic backgrounds united by the determination to protect human rights, making possible a more complete management of the organization and creating a positive synergy that facilitates the achievement of our objectives.
Paula Tojo
Paula Tojo Nogueira holds a degree in International Studies from the Autonomous University of Madrid. As part of her academic training, she undertook an academic exchange at Sapienza Università di Roma, where she studied interdisciplinary subjects in English and Italian, including literature, art, sociology, cultural anthropology, politics, migration, and history. In 2025, she participated as a volunteer in Helsinki España’s “Youth for Youth: Educating in Human Rights and SDGs” project. She is currently part of the organization’s team, where she contributes to the development and implementation of projects focused on human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Álvaro Bello
Álvaro Bello Manzano is currently in the final year of a double degree in International Relations and Political Science at Carlos III University of Madrid. His academic background has fostered a particular interest in international relations, diverse social and cultural contexts, and the analysis of issues from different perspectives. He is currently part of Helsinki España’s IUCPM Department, where he contributes to the development and engagement of the organization’s international Alumni network.
Inés García
Inés García Navas is a Law student with an international academic background. As part of her academic training, she undertook an academic exchange at Maastricht University, where she studied European Law and United Nations Law. Her main academic interests focus on international public law and institutional relations. She is currently part of the Helsinki España team, where she contributes to the development of its projects.
Vania Omosemoje
Vania Omosemoje is a student of International Relations and Political Science at Marist University in New York and is currently undertaking an academic exchange at Carlos III University of Madrid. Her academic background and her interest in human rights, international organizations, and languages reflect her particular interest in intercultural contexts. She is currently part of the Helsinki España team, where she contributes to the development of projects with an international scope.
Sofía López
Sofía is currently pursuing a degree in International Relations and has experience in foreign policy and international security analysis, as well as in the evaluation of social impact initiatives. In 2025, she collaborated with Helsinki España on the planning and coordination of the REACT programme. She has now rejoined the organization, where she contributes to the development of projects aimed at strengthening prevention and response capacities in risk situations.
Samuel Jornert
Samuel holds a BSc in Psychology from the University of Gothenburg and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology of Intercultural Relations at ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon. His international academic and professional experience, together with his interest in human rights, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, reflects his interest in working in intercultural contexts. He has been a member of AIESEC in Portugal and the European Federation of Psychology Students’ Associations (EFPSA). He is currently undertaking a curricular internship at Helsinki España, where he contributes to the development of the “Youth for Youth” project.
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