President of Uruguay from 1985 to 1990 and 1995 to 2000, Sanguinetti stressed at the ceremony held at Magdalena Palace in Santander, that “education is a fundamental condition for strengthening democracy and prosperity.” In this regard, he said it is necessary to “reflect” on how to adapt “modern education to the new frontiers of technology to become rounded citizens.” The Club de Madrid Member considers that making education closer to the work place will shape citizens for democracy, “aware of their rights and obligations.”
In his speech, the former president of Uruguay reflected on the political, economic and social situation in Latin America. As for the economic growth registered in the region in the recent years, he said “will not last forever” and countries have taken advantage in a “unequal” form, although in general has served to reduce poverty rates. He appreciates the democratic advancement, but alerts the existence of ¨cracks” and “weakness” with the appearance of “messianic leaders” and the “danger attacks” on freedom of expression in the media, for what he has put as an example Venezuela.
The Uruguayan leader dedicated much of his speech to unravel some of the challenges facing Latin America among which he stressed the development of infrastructure and education, in which he added “progress has taken place,” but seems to be affected by the appearance of a “new phenomena” such as school dropouts.
In the presentation of the Medal of Honor of the UIMP, were present the Spanish Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, José Ignacio Wert and the Dean of UIMP, César Nombela. Also in attendance were the Club de Madrid Member and former president of Colombia, Belisario Betancur, previous recipient, the government delegate of Cantabria, Samuel Ruiz, the Mayor of Santander, Íñigo de la Serna, and the Counselor of Education, Miguel Ángel Serna.
In recent years, the academic institution has distinguished, among others, José Saramago, Jorge Semprún, José Manuel Blecua, Víctor García de la Concha, Mario Vargas Llosa and Vittorio Gassman.
