The Chancellor of the University of Dublin Receives Prestigious Spanish Award

Posted on: 03 November 2006

The Chancellor of the University and former Irish president, Mary Robinson recently received Spain’s highest award, the Prince of Asturias Prize for Social Sciences, in recognition of her “valuable and committed struggle against discrimination”.  The Asturias prizes are Spain’s version of the Nobel prizes.

In her acceptance speech, Mrs Robinson referred to the similarities between the northern Spanish region of Asturias and Ireland. She said: “We both have and continue to address the ongoing challenges of historic conflicts through negotiated peace processes.”

The jury praised her “moral fibre, noble values and ethical behaviour”.  Mrs Robinson received her prize and a bronze sculpture by the Spanish artist, Joan Miró  from Prince Felipe, the Prince of Asturias, in a formal ceremony in the Asturian capital of Oviedo.