King Felipe of Spain received the Foreign Policy Association Medal at an award ceremony in the United States.
The King of Spain was in the US for a series of meetings and was presented the award on 26 May at the Harvard Club of New York.
The honour was handed out at the Foreign Policy Association’s annual dinner and saw the King be welcomed by the permanent representative ambassador of Spain to the United Nations, Agustín Santos Maraver, at the event alongside other dignitaries and representatives of the association.
After several speeches by those in the association, King Felipe was presented with the Foreign Policy Association Medal. He then addressed those in attendance in English and made sure to particularly thank the group of students who had come to the event, saying, “I’m really glad you are here.”
He spoke of upholding democracy and never taking freedoms for granted. He said that challenges would arise but maintaining democracy must remain important for all to allow for freedom and fairness.
“Upholding freedom, democracy and respect for human rights and dignity involves a relentless commitment. It seems like an everlasting job, regardless of the transformations the World endures. We cannot take them for granted. Unfortunately, many events are a permanent reminder of that and, therefore, demand our current utmost and generous effort,” he said.
The King continued by stressing, “From this very place ─and time─ we must make an appeal to preserve them so that no man, no woman, no society, remains indifferent. It is our duty and our responsibility. For ourselves and for our children.”
The Foreign Policy Association Medal goes to those who are responsible regarding international affairs and work hard to promote diplomacy. It is the association’s highest honour.
