Germán José Manuel Toro Ghio, the offspring of Germán Alfonso and Jenny Isabel Cristina, acquired citizenship on planet Earth on the chilly morning of Sunday, May 11, 1958, in Santiago, the principal city of southern Chile. In December 1977, he completed his undergraduate studies in humanities at the renowned “Liceo de Aplicación” in the city.

The development of the subject is as follows: Influenced by the Bauhaus movement, he opted to relocate to Sweden to pursue his goal of studying photography in the Scandinavian region. This decision was prompted by his exposure to the travelling exhibition of the architectural movement at the Museum of Fine Arts in his hometown in the winter of 1977. In 1982, he completed his studies in documentary photography (GFU) at “Kursenverksamhet vid Stockholms universitet”, which is renowned as the traditional photography school in Stockholm, established by the esteemed photographer Christer Strömholm.

In 1983, Germán commenced his tenure as a photography instructor at “Arbetar Bildnings Förbundet” (ABF) in Stockholm.

In 1984, he became a study secretary in the education and culture department of the ABF. This position provided him with the necessary independence and time to advance his career as a documentary photographer.

In 1984, working as a freelance photographer, he embarked on one of the most significant projects of his life. In collaboration with another colleague, he engaged in covert activities within the counterrevolutionary guerrilla group known as the Contras, situated in the jungle region along the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua adjacent to Honduras during the Sandinista revolution.

Years later, he published a diary of the adventure in his narrative, "Navidad Roja" (Red Christmas), in three volumes. During a meeting with Ernesto Cardenal, the Minister of Culture in Nicaragua, in 1984, the suggestion was made to enhance the photography department of the ministry.

This enhancement necessitated investments in professional facilities that exceeded the financial capacity of the institution's limited budget. To materialise the project, a fundraising campaign was initiated, facilitated by sponsorship from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). Through this endeavour, Germán established a lasting friendship with the Trappist monk and priest Ernesto Cardenal. Cardenal, known for his deeply humanistic perspective, demonstrated his ability to empathise with the tormented soul of the iconic blonde Marilyn Monroe in his widely read work "Plea for Marilyn Monroe," which resonated with audiences globally in various languages.

Environmental analysis:

Undoubtedly, one of Germán's most notable attributes is his capacity to assess the present circumstances through a thorough examination of the evidence, demonstrating unwavering objectivity and integrity.

This approach results in highly precise predictions. Regarding the field of public administration, between 1990 and 1993, he held the inaugural position as the cultural public administration advisor to Gladys Ramirez de Espinosa, who was the Minister of Culture in Nicaragua. This role was carried out in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Between 1993 and 1997, Germán was employed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). During this period, he participated in the drafting of the document titled "Supporting the Capacity Building Process in Central America: For Democratic Governance in Central America" as part of the peace process outlined in the—Esquipulas Agreement—. In 1997, he became a member of the academic team at the Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science, and Culture (OEI) in Madrid, Spain. During his tenure, he was tasked with drafting the Nicaraguan section of the Ibero-American Guide of Public Administrations of Culture for the Summit of Heads of State.

In 1999, during a specialised assignment for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Bogota, Colombia, a project document was formulated with the objective of supporting the peace negotiations between the government and civil society. The project focused on key areas such as culture, development, human rights, education, gender, governance, and poverty. This was achieved through the implementation of a communication and public relations campaign.

Corporate motive:

In August 2000, Germán assumed the role of Public Relations and Communications Manager for the Spanish company Unión Fenosa in its subsidiaries in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. During the corresponding timeframe, he concurrently served as an autonomous consultant for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), contributing to the formulation of the Management and Communication Strategy involving stakeholders. The primary focus of this initiative was to enhance the rate of payment for electricity services within the Dominican Republic's electricity sector.

In the latter part of 2004, he undertook the role of Corporate Vice President of Communication at AES Dominicana, which he held until January 2018. Throughout his fourteen years of continuous service at the company, he oversaw the transformation of the institutional image, contributing to AES Dominicana's establishment as one of the most esteemed companies in the region. He is recognised for establishing the corporate social responsibility foundation of the company. The AES Dominicana Foundation was among the pioneering international organisations that provided assistance to the victims of the 2010 earthquake in the Republic of Haiti. The aid included medicines, food, and the restoration of the electrical system.

These efforts resulted in the foundation being recognised as the second finalist for the Platts Corporate Social Responsibility awards in that year.

Energy expertise:

For the past two decades, Germán has extensively traversed the inception of the industry across all its domains, thereby cultivating a lifestyle that imbues him with a profound passion for the sector. He has actively engaged in numerous symposiums, highlighting the importance of adhering to the payment of the electric bill.

This effort has significantly contributed to enhancing the regulatory framework.

Natural gas:

Germán's involvement in the development of the Natural Gas Promotion Strategy has been pivotal.

Commencing with an exploration of the product, its transportation techniques, regasification attributes, and the various markets where gas is traded, with a specific focus on distinguishing the NYMEX price from the European market, comprehensive content for press articles was developed and regularly distributed in the media.

This initiative sparked a transformation in the electricity sector of the Dominican Republic, which had previously relied solely on oil and coal for its energy generation. In terms of advertising, Germán has conceptualised, developed, and executed over 70 advertising campaigns targeting the electricity sector and the promotion of natural gas.

Life journey:

Germán has made significant contributions to the literary world through the publication of twelve books. One highlight includes his dedicated efforts in promoting the works of Nicaraguan poet Carlos Martínez Rivas, most notably, "La insurrección Solitaria seguida de Varia." This collection was published by Vuelta and Vuelta Visor, with the invaluable personal support and sponsorship of the esteemed poet Octavio Paz.

Germán is not only the author of the books "Nicaragua Año 5.º" and "The Owners of 'No Man's Land' and Other Stories" but also a dedicated scholar.

He pursued advanced studies in project development and evaluation, completing programs at the American University of Managua (UAM) in Nicaragua and the Instituto “Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiore”s of Monterrey in Mexico.

He has also been involved in the Advanced Marketing Program at Intras: Universidad de Los Andes, Bogota, Colombia.

He has also pursued studies in Theory and Tools of Negotiation at Harvard University (CMI) and The Harvard Faculty Club in Cambridge, USA.

Germán achieved a significant milestone as a member of the Energy Central Network and has been honoured by an exclusive group called VIP for reaching 100 thousand reads, as well as being recognised as a Top Voice in 2023 within the network.

The Swedish Writers' Association recognised him for his publication of the photography book "Nicaragua Year 5," which was featured in the Swedish Publications Yearbook of Lund University (1985).

Germán served as the Executive Secretary of the Pro Tempore Secretariat of the VIII Forum of Ministers of Culture and Individuals Responsible for Cultural Policies in Latin America and the Caribbean during the period of 1995 to 1996.