Marcela Tovar Thomas is the Conference Liason for the Harm Reduction International Conference 2025 (HR25).

Marcela is a Latin American woman, mother and philosopher of the National University of Colombia. She holds a Master’s degree in project management focusing on education and international cooperation from Paris V René Descartes with a specialisation in Latin American studies.

Marcela has over 12 years of dedicated work experience in peacebuilding, gender-based violence, drug policy, migration, alternatives security policies, health, and human rights. She has worked within civil society and the public sector. She has been a university professor in public and private universities in Colombia, teaching social sciences and drug policy. She has designed, implemented, and monitored innovative projects aimed at paradigm shifts, building collaborative networks, and influencing drug policy agendas in the region with a strong focus on human rights-based approaches, vulnerable populations and social justice.