Ladies and Gentlemen.
It’s a great pleasure for me to be back in New York on this prestigious occasion to celebrate the Sophia Awards for Excellence. Every year these Awards honor outstanding individuals for their personal and professional achievements, and for their contributions to strengthening the ties among the United States, Spain, and Latin America.
This year marks a very special occasion because, after two years of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we are honored to recognize three remarkable people who have made extraordinary contributions in the realms of history, philanthropy, and gastronomy. Through decades of dedicated work, the guiding principle behind their decisions has been, in one word: "excellence".
In the domain of history, we honor Carmen Iglesias. Carmen has been recognized academically and professionally on both sides of the Atlantic. She is a tenured Professor of Moral and Political Ideas, and has devoted her life to studying Spanish and Latin American History. She has reached important milestones in terms of equality, being the first woman to head the Royal Academy of History in Spain since its founding in Madrid in 1738.
In recent years, she has revived it by creating an electronic edition of the Biographical Dictionary, thus helping to bridge the gap between what the Academy can give and what society needs and wants.
In the arena of philanthropy, we honor Carlos Slim. Carlos has had a long and illustrious business career, and is one of the most recognized and admired business personality worldwide. Through the Carlos Slim Foundation, he has contributed to changing the lives of millions of people of all ages in Latin America by providing them with the training and resources they require to enhance their future prospects.
In addition to healthcare and social wellbeing, the Foundation covers several fields ranging from education, to heritage conservation, and infrastructure development. Through his generosity to culture and his determination to share the arts with the general public, Carlos Slim has brought humanistic values into the business industry.
"......This year marks a very special occasion because, after two years of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we are honored to recognize three remarkable people who have made extraordinary contributions in the realms of history, philanthropy, and gastronomy. Through decades of dedicated work, the guiding principle behind their decisions has been, in one word: "excellence"......"
In the sphere of gastronomy, we honor José Andrés Puerta. José is another renowned and outstanding Spanish Chef who has gone far beyond the boundaries of his professional field. Bringing together gastronomy and humanitarianism, he has become one of Spain’s most prominent representative, and serves as a link connecting the United States and Spain.
José Andrés and the World Central Kitchen, the NGO he founded in 2010 to help people who suffer from humanitarian disasters, were awarded the Princess of Asturias for Concord 2021.
Now he is assisting the population fleeing from the war in the Ukraine.
World Central Kitchen is characterized by the swiftness with which it operates to provide relief, and since the onset of this devastating war, the Kitchen has served over five million meals.
I would like to extend my gratitude to the wonderfully generous and efficient work of the new team at the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, and especially to the new Chairman, Carlos Cordón-Cardo.
I don’t want to end my words without remembering those who have left us and who made this Institute an example of the friendship between our nations.
Thank you,
Es un placer estar con todos vosotros.
Muchas gracias