Erika Torregrossa, a prominent jurist and lawyer, recently established Diplocorp, a corporate diplomacy consultancy, in Barcelona. Torregrossa, who arrived in the city in December 1986, also offered an optimistic outlook on the future of the Catalan language.
Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Torregrossa describes herself as "a Catalan born in Bogotá." She moved to Barcelona three months after the city's Olympic designation, stating, "I came to study in this city and since then my relationship with Barcelona has been a permanent love at first sight." Her career includes extensive work with individuals deprived of liberty, serving as a jurist within the Generalitat's Prison Services. She also champions the rights of women.
Torregrossa holds an associated professorship at the University of Barcelona (UB), teaching penal execution and alternative penal measures. She also works as a collaborating professor at the Open University of Catalonia (UOC) in prison law. "Teaching is something I like and above all fascinates me, because you never learn as much as by teaching," she explained.
Advocating for Catalan Language Growth
Torregrossa views the health of the Catalan language with optimism. She noted the significant population increase in Catalonia, from six million residents in the 1980s to nearly nine million today. "If in the 80s we were 6 million and now we are almost 9, I have the perception that with a larger population we will have greater possibilities to make our language grow," she stated. This perspective highlights the importance of demographic shifts in language preservation and expansion.
Diplocorp: Corporate Diplomacy for the 21st Century
Her newly founded consultancy, Diplocorp, aims to improve the relational capacity of businesses. It helps companies navigate complex interactions with governments, institutions, parliamentary groups, and social actors. This approach differs substantially from 20th-century corporate diplomacy methods. Torregrossa previously worked at the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, further broadening her expertise in institutional relations.
Featured on 'Mas Barcelona' Podcast
The 'Mas Barcelona' videopodcast also features Erika Torregrossa's insights and career journey. Listeners can find the programme on major platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, iVoox, Apple Podcast, Amazon Podcast, and Podimo. Her appearance offers listeners a deeper look into her work and perspectives on Barcelona and Catalonia.
Come and join our Barcelona English Speakers community on WhatsApp.
Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.
