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an original corpus of work that is admired throughout the world and evokes deep emotion in those
who contemplate it. That is why, when these projects become reality, when his buildings rise up into
the sky of so many cities around the world, it seems as if they seek to remind us of certain beautiful
verses that claim that we are made to dream, this “dreaming aloud” of which Octavio Paz spoke.
The Award for International Cooperation has been bestowed on theWorldHealthOrganization.
In a world in which frontiers dissolve more and more rapidly, making it necessary to work with ever
increasing intensity for solidarity and for the benefit of all human beings, health has become one of
the greatest challenges and a priority of multilateral cooperation. We have called attention to this
fact on other occasions on this stage: healthcare is a universal
right; hence, health and increased access to medical care and
scientific advances constitutes one of the most significant key
factors in the progress of humanity.
Founded in 1948 within the framework of the UNO, the
World Health Organization carries out its mammoth work both
efficiently and rigorously. Among other achievements, it has
managed to eradicate smallpox, attack infectious diseases such as
tuberculosis, malaria and AIDS, reduce poliomyelitis and child mortality and to curb many epidemic
outbreaks. Moreover, it remains alert to the appearance of other, new diseases, fighting against both
those that are known and against emerging illnesses that must be identified and are often triggered
by factors such as climate change, pollution or unhealthy lifestyles.
As we can see, these problems —which have worldwide repercussions— also demand global
solutions. This is what the World Health Organization watches over with its one hundred and
ninety-three member states, its one hundred and fifty offices dotted all over the planet and its
eight thousand experts. We wish to take advantage of this occasion to manifest our gratitude to the
World Health Organization —represented here by Margaret Chan—, an organization upon which
rests the public health of all peoples of the Earth.
The British naturalist Sir David Attenborough, one of the most prestigious and most universally
known specialists in natural sciences, has been bestowed with the Award for Social Sciences.
Together with him, we can take pleasure in the fact that, fortunately, everyday more and more
of us are aware of the need to preserve the environment, to stop the deterioration and reduce the
dangers that threaten our planet, to fight against climate change.
Among many other things, David Attenborough is President of the Royal Society for Nature
Conservation and Fellow of the Royal Society of London. He has always worked to disseminate his
knowledge in such a way that it should not only be a delight to the eyes, but also a stimulus to awaken
the awareness of the millions of people he reaches with his message; that we must know and learn
about the Nature that sustains us so as to respect and care for it. Underlying his professionalism, there
vibrates the beautiful, edifying lesson of his work and the body of work he has produced.
With inexhaustible passion, he has kept his love of Nature alive since his childhood, when he
collected fossils, insects and plants, and which, as an adult, he has known how to transmit to all
kinds of audiences with such enthusiasm and wisdom. Consider the fact, for example, that some
of his series for television, such as the highly celebrated
Life on Earth
, have been seen by more
than 500 million people all over the world. Similarly, thanks to his work in the World Land Trust
organization, he has fostered the protection of thousands of square kilometres of great biological
richness in several tropical countries.
His work always transmits feeling, admiration and amazement at the marvellous diversity of
the Earth and its cultures. His programmes in the world’s most important media are, in short,
examples of intelligent creativity and modesty when faced with the aspiration to know and
embrace life’s complexity. They are a lesson in humbleness versus arrogance, intellectual conceit
and fanaticism of any kind.
Our Juries have frequently turned their gaze towards the sister countries of America. Endearing
and lasting bonds join us with these countries. For that reason, it is always a cause for very special
“Let us work, in short, in close cohesion,
shoulder to shoulder, with a constructive
spirit, with confidence and hope.”
23
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2009
