Alfredo Toro Hardy (born in Caracas on May 22, 1950) is a Venezuelan retired career diplomat, scholar and public intellectual. During his diplomatic career he occupied some of Venezuela's top ambassadorial posts, including Washington, London, Madrid and Brasilia. As an academic, he has taught at several universities both in Venezuela and abroad, directed institutions in the field of foreign policy and written extensively on international affairs. According to international relations best selling author Parag Khanna: "Alfredo Toro Hardy is the quintessential scholar-diplomat". Renowned author and scholar Kishore Mahbubani wrote: "About 12% of the world's population lives in the West and 88% live outside. Yet, the strong, diverse voices of the 88% are rarely heard. Alfredo Toro Hardy provides one such voice that needs to be heard". British historian and author Robert Harvey stated: "One does not have to coincide with all of Toro Hardy's views in order to recognize that he is one of the most articulated and experienced voices not only from Latin America but from the developing world". Cambridge University scholar Geoffrey Hawthorn wrote: "Alfredo Toro Hardy has a rare and distinctive voice. No-one can come away from his essays without seeing the world in new ways". In recognition for his achievements in this field of knowledge, the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations made him an Honorary Research Fellow in 2019.