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The Award for Social Sciences has been conferred on the American psychologist Howard
Gardner, who has worked and carried out research above all in the field of Education Sciences.
He is the author of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, and his studies in this field, on the way
these intelligences develop, have led to numerous innovations being introduced into the education
system, with the principal goal of achieving —as he has stated recalling Plato— that “people want
to do what they ought to do”. This formulation, though straightforward in appearance, often
clashes with teaching methods which, by simplifying and putting limits on their goals, have given
priority to only some forms of intelligence to the detriment of others. The fullest development of
our capabilities facilitates what, for Gardner, is good work: work that is of a high quality and is
aimed at improving the lives of others; that is to say, work that is excellent, committed and ethical.
For over ten years now, through the Goodwork Project fostered by Harvard University,
Howard Gardner has proposed to identify individuals and organizations that are an example of
excellent work. He also seeks a way to make their presence felt
more often in our society. This he does in collaboration with
an international team of researchers who turn into reality his
determination to improve the education and hence the future
of human beings.
This optimum way of working also stands out especially in
the work carried out for over 350 years by The Royal Society,
the world’s oldest scientific community, which has received
our Award for Communication and Humanities. Its admirable
mission consists in pushing back the frontiers of knowledge
through the development and use of science to the benefit of humanity. These are great aims that
require a truly solid organization, such as that of The Royal Society, made up of individuals who
love their work and passionately defend the supreme benefit of knowledge in addition to the
importance of its generalization.
On this evening devoted to culture and values, the centuries-old background of The Royal
Society serves to both highlight and defend the social priority of education and instruction; the
need to spread knowledge and to put our principles into play for the benefit of us all; the conviction
that this is the surest way to finally overcome injustice, violence and fanaticism, as well as the
suffering and pain they produce in so many human beings.
From this point of view, the question raised by Bill Drayton, on whom our Award for
International Cooperation has been bestowed, is even more pertinent. “What is the most powerful
force in the world?” And Drayton responds, “A good idea, every time.” Over the thirty years
in which his Ashoka Foundation has identified and backed some 3,000 social entrepreneurs
worldwide, Bill Drayton has undoubtedly been able to corroborate over and over again that this is
more than just a statement. It is a fact and a truly beneficial one at that.
The work initiated by Drayton —which Ashoka has developed over time— focuses on and
highlights fundamental characteristics of social entrepreneurship; features such as creativity,
fortitude and, above all, trust. Bill Drayton also strives so that our actions have positive repercussions
for society and our work takes on increasingly higher levels of social responsibility. In short, he
works with the aim of changing and improving the world.
Social entrepreneurs discover and put into practice feasible solutions to social problems, seeing
opportunities where others only perceive threats. As this way of working becomes even more
necessary in times of crisis, this recognition here today of Bill Drayton’s work becomes especially
significant. One can look to the future fearfully or confidently and only those who truly believe in
human beings —as is the case of social entrepreneurs— are in a situation to face the future with
hope. This is the value of the Ashoka Foundation and social entrepreneurs. This is the significant
and intelligent path trodden by Bill Drayton, whom we distinguish here today.
The neurobiologists Joseph Altman, Arturo Alvarez-Buylla and Giacomo Rizzolatti have
received the Award for Technical and Scientific Research. Thanks to their contributions, we know
“We Spaniards must be aware that we are
engaged in a common enterprise and that
today, more than ever before, we have to stand
united around our great national goals.”
21
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2011
