Dr. Vaira Vike-Freiberga is President of the World Leadership Alliance/ Club de Madrid and former President of Latvia (1999-2007). She was deeply engaged in achieving membership in the European Union and NATO for her country. She is active in international affairs, was named Special Envoy to the Secretary General on United Nations reform and was official candidate for UN Secretary General in 2006. She was vice-chair of the Reflection group on the long-term future of Europe, and chair of the High-level group on freedom and pluralism of media in the EU in 2011-12, as well as a member of two High-level groups on European security and defense in 2015. Dr. Vike-Freiberga is a former professor and interdisciplinary scholar at the University of Montreal, has published 16 books, numerous articles in addition to her extensive speaking engagements. Recipient of many Awards, Orders of Merit and Honorary Doctorates.