I
t is truly a great pleasure for me to come back to Georgetown University, where I spent two years at the School of Foreign Service. I have many fond memories, which I am sure are very similar to those that most Spanish students have after studying here. The hard work at the library, the classroom discussions, the teamwork, writing papers ?and the challenge of delivering them on time? all essential elements of the educational experience at Georgetown. I would say that they are key aspects of any good education, one that prepares students for a successful professional life and makes them informed, responsible citizens.
Since I finished my studies, I have tried to come back every year to renew the ties between Georgetown and Spain. I am so glad to see that, these ties are continually being strengthened, not only by the enrolment of a significant number of Spanish students in the Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service, but also by the activities carried out by the Department of Spanish, and the presence of other Spaniards working, studying or lecturing at Georgetown. I think it is good news that Spaniards keep coming here to receive or reinforce a solid international education, so they can later on contribute their own share to make the world a better place.
I believe that the relationship between Spain and Georgetown is now firmly established, to a large extent a contribution owed to the Prince of Asturias Chair in Spanish Studies at the BMW Center for German and European Studies, one of the pillars of the School of Foreign Service.
How this Chair has functioned in its seven years of existence is more than satisfactory, I feel very proud of it. Like many other Chairs at Georgetown, and at other US universities, the Prince of Asturias Chair is well integrated into the campus community, contributing to Georgetown?s dynamic intellectual life; One of the Chair?s main goals when it was launched in 1999, thanks to the generous support granted by Endesa Company.
I am well aware of the high qualification and academic excellence that the holders of the Chair have shown during these past seven years. As you can see on the Chair?s website, they have organized and promoted a number of important events, with a remarkable impact in academic circles. I am especially pleased to see that Spanish professors have been keeping a high profile in extending a better knowledge of Spain, Europe, and its place in the world. I am sure that Georgetown has greatly benefited from the presence of prestigious leading scholars from Spanish Universities. I hope that in the near future, Georgetown and Spanish Universities will further strengthen their relationship through this Chair. This, no doubt, will contribute to a closer understanding between Spain and the United States.
We are now living in an era marked by intense and accelerated globalization, with developments taking place at a dizzying speed and having nearly immediate impact across the world. The Spain and Europe of the early twenty-first century are quite different from what they were only in the early 1980?s. During this time, Spain has leap-fogged into modernity achieving dramatic political, economic and social changes; we have become a loyal and active partner in the EU and medium economic power in the world.
In order to achieve a better understanding among peoples and governments, it is crucial for professors, and students, who will become future leaders, to study, learn about and understand the transformation of our societies to know where Spain and Europe are coming from, and how they have changed. Thus, it is important for students and scholars at Georgetown to be more aware of Spain?s role in Europe and in the world, especially regarding its relationships with Latin America and the US.
They are the ones who will move ahead with the task already undertaken by such great scholars as Juan Linz, Edward Malefakis, Gabriel Jackson, Raymond Carr, Hugh Thomas, and Stanley Payne, whose talk today has been an intellectual gift to us all. Every one of these scholars, and many others, provided fresh insights about Spain and its relationship with the world. Their books enlightened many others. Their works suggested a wealth of ideas, contributing to our knowledge of modern Spain. They travelled, observed, read, researched, exchanged their views, and wrote. They have proved devotion to their subject and passion about Spain?s past, present, and future. They built up their ideas and knowledge thanks to their experience, reflection and, above all, thanks to a myriad of books from hundreds of libraries.
That?s why it is great news and I was very pleased to hear that Georgetown inaugurates a collection of books on Spain and its European dimension, under the sponsorship of the Prince of Asturias Chair. Thanks to initiatives like this one, it will be possible for students and scholars alike to become better acquainted with the history of Europe?to which Spain has contributed decisively?and more knowledgeable about present-day Europe, in order to see how much Spain and Europe have changed over the years. Perhaps, thanks to this initiative, some Georgetown student will, in the future, build upon the work of those intellectual giants whom I just mentioned. I encourage all of you to do so. This was, I am sure, the goal of Professor Juan Linz, when he generously donated part of his personal library to the Prince of Asturias Collection.
The Collection that we are inaugurating today will be a great complement to the activities carried out by the Prince of Asturias Chair over the years, within of the BMW Center for German and European Studies. I truly believe that it is important for Georgetown to continue hosting and promoting academic events which can contribute to a better understanding between the societies and governments of Europe and the US. Thus, we will have contributed to improve our world, and the world of our children. I have no doubt that the Prince of Asturias Collection, and events like today?s, will continue to help in achieving this goal.