On January 18, I had the pleasure of attending the Gala of Medals for Professional Merit 2019, awarded by Diario de Mediación and the Spanish School of Mediation.
This is the third edition of these awards, which recognized the work of 37 professionals and entities working for mediation, peace culture and conflict resolution.
More than a hundred people gathered at the Medals Award Ceremony.
On this occasion, the place chosen for the Gala organized annually by Diario de Mediación was the Press Association of Madrid (APM).
The Awarding of Medals for Professional Merit recognizes the work of professionals who promote and foster the culture of peace, dialogue and mediation in Spain. The 37 award winners received their medals at an event to commemorate European Mediation Day, which is celebrated on January 21, coinciding with the date on which the first legislative text on family mediation in Europe was approved.
A meeting with magistrates, authorities and mediation and social professionals.
The event, organized under the Chair of Social Welfare, Communication, Education and Employment Udima-EDAE, began at 19.00 hours and ended around 22.00 hours.
The event was attended by mediation professionals, magistrates, authorities and professionals from the social field.
The gala was opened by Mr. Gonzalo Ruiz, president of Diario de Mediación, whose welcome speech was focused on thanking the work and effort of those who work for conflict resolution and mediation. He also highlighted the achievements that have been obtained in mediation from the legislative point of view with the draft bill for the Promotion of Mediation approved last Friday 11th by the Council of Ministers.
The person in charge of closing the gala was María Concepción Burgos García, rector of the Udima, university where I have been teaching the Master’s Degree ‘University Expert in Parental Coordination’ since the last academic year.
Recipients of the Medal of Professional Merit 2019
The presentation of the 2019 Medals for Professional Merit was inaugurated with the one awarded to H.E. Ms. Manuela Carmena, Mayor of Madrid, for her work in the Culture of Peace.
Ms. Manuela Carmena, Mayor of Madrid, for her work in Culture of Peace by promoting the World Forum on Urban Violence and Education for Coexistence and Peace. Special recognition was also given to Irene Villa
Irene Villa for his dedication and commitment to promote the culture of peace and dialogue in our society.
As well as Mr. José Carnero, founder and president of ‘One in a hundred thousand‘, Foundation for the research of childhood leukemia. Mr. Pablo d’Ors, priest and founder of the association “Amigos del Desierto“, also received the medal for his social work.
The work of the Directorate General of Justice and the Interior of the Government of La Rioja in the field of Mediation was also recognized.
The person in charge of collecting the medal was the Director of Justice and Interior, Ms. Cristina Maiso Fernández
Cristina Maiso Fernández “mediation means a culture of peace, it means dialogue”, she pointed out. Since 2010, the Government of La Rioja has promoted mediation through a service and an action protocol drawn up with the General Council of the Judiciary.
On the other hand, one of the medals for professional merit was awarded to Ms. Sofía Rodríguez-Sahagún
Sofía Rodríguez-Sahagún who set up the education project “Let’s Learn Together“in collaboration with Santillana and El País.
An innovative program both in terms of the content it develops and the way in which it is conveyed.
Other award winners were Mr. José Pascual Ortuño Muñoza magistrate of the 12th section of the Provincial Court of Barcelona; Mr. Ramón Alzate Sáez de Heredia, professor of Conflict Resolution at the University of the Basque Country; and Mr. José Pascual Ortuño Muñoz, a member of the Board of Trustees of the BBVA Foundation. Ms. Ascensión Iglesias Redondo
Ascensión Iglesias Redondo President of the Union of Family Associations(UNAF), among others.
The importance of education
Education was one of the points raised by many of the award winners.
An education based on a culture of peace that is instilled in schools, institutes and universities.
“Children must be taught from an early age what peaceful coexistence and mediationcan bring,” said Ms. Francisca Fariña Rivera, professor of peace studies at the University of Valencia.
Francisca Fariña Rivera, Professor of Psychology and one of the award winners.
Cooperation, teamwork and support among professionals to promote mediation also occupied the speeches of the award winners.
The ceremony was attended by different authorities such as Mr. Pedro Irigoyen Barja, General Director of Human Resources and Relations with the Justice Administration of the Community of Madrid; Ms. Ana María Carrascosa Miguel
Ana María Carrascosa Miguel The President of the Universidad de Madrid, Judge of the General Council of the Judiciary, and the Rector of the Universidad a Distancia de Madrid, Dña.
María Concepción Burgos García The awarding of the Diploma to each winner, together with the President of Diario de Mediación, Mr. Gonzalo Ruiz. If you need legal assistance in any matter related to Family Law, please contact us.
