Distinguished senators Manuel Baltar and Vicente Azpitarte Pérez; Monsignor Fernando García Cardiñanos, Bishop of Mondoñedo-Ferrol; Ms. Gina Riano, Secretary General of the Ibero-American Social Security Organization; ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps; President of the Casa de Cantabria in Madrid; representative of the Madrid Surgical Association; Director of the Banja Luka Tourism Organization (Bosnia and Herzegovina); dear friends and guests.
To all those honored with the 3rd Raia Diplomática Awards, my most sincere congratulations.
Every year, around this time, I reassert the importance of developing the Iberian Raia — for those who may not yet know, the border between Portugal and Spain, the oldest in Europe.
The Iberian Raia: Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the existence, at the institutional level, of dialogue and working structures, the truth is that the social and economic development of this region falls far short of expectations, especially since Spain and Portugal joined the so-called United Europe.
One idea to counteract the consequences of population aging and improve social development would be to encourage mobility in this cross-border region. It is very important for the people of the raia to get to know what lies on the other side of the border. Only in this way can we gain a sense of our shared territory and acquire sufficient knowledge to establish genuine collaboration.
Obviously, this simple idea alone would not save the raia’s development. It is essential that these territories have quality services in the areas of health and education. Only then would the retention and attraction of new residents begin to be consolidated. And we must add to this “equation” the leveraging of what technology has to offer, so that these populations can thrive.
The Value of Human Values
I know that much of today’s audience is accustomed to major international gatherings, where relevant issues for humanity are debated: geopolitics, international trade, artificial intelligence, or the wars that torment our world.
So the question that arises is: what interest could there be in hearing about a region facing major social difficulties?
The answer must lie in the human value of its people, who on both sides of the border see each other as members of the same community, and not as enemies, as their national governments once proclaimed.
That is why these universal values of caring for the common good must be exported to the rest of the world, which is growing ever more tense.
Year of China and International Outreach
In that spirit, we have also sought to bring the Iberian Peninsula closer to certain regions, and starting this year we have launched the “Year of China of the Raia Diplomática.”
China was chosen for this initiative because of its long historical relationship with the Iberian Peninsula, particularly with Portugal, its culture, and its position in the world.
I want to thank the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Spain for its institutional support of this project, especially Minister Qu Xun, for his kindness and his help in making it a reality.
We will close the Year of China of the Raia Diplomática in December with an event that will also commemorate another anniversary of the transfer of the administration of Macao from Portugal to China, which took place on December 20, 1999.
Macao, or rather the Macao Special Administrative Region, is a symbol of good cultural coexistence and also of cultural fusion, which characterizes this singular territory that we must consider; in addition to being the world’s gaming capital and the second territory in the world with the highest GDP per capita.
But in 2027 we will move from China to Latin America. Here we enter a natural space of the Raia Diplomática, since the main edition of the Raia Diplomática is in Spanish.
Next year we want to talk about Latin America, in an uncomplicated but effective way, always with the values of the Raia Diplomática, so that new dimensions of debate can emerge.
I hope the embassies of Latin America can effectively support this project, just as the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China has done.
Also in 2027, the Iberian Forum will return, which will be a space for debate and action on Spanish-Portuguese relations, especially the cross-border relationship and the development of our raia.
“Because, after all, we must build fewer borders and more raias (raia being the word for the friendly, shared borderland communities along the Portugal–Spain frontier).”
Tribute to Vanda Catarina
As you have seen in the introductory video of the 3rd edition of the Raia Diplomática Awards, this event is dedicated to the memory of Vanda Catarina, our co-founder, who passed away last year due to breast cancer.
Vanda to her friends, Catarina to her family, Aisha to her other friends: she always had a smile, a kind word, and a kind gesture for others.
Perhaps this type of praise is common in so many other tributes, but no one can deny her bravery in facing illness with a smile on her face, or almost always; her psychological resilience; her professionalism in caring for people with autism, never once complaining about the illness she suffered from; and, above all, her great love for her children.
For me, Vanda Catarina was the best mother in the world.
Catarina fulfilled her mission on Earth with distinction, radiating serenity, empathy, and the ability to truly listen to others. Rare qualities in today’s world, where the individualism of our societies places less value on caring for one’s neighbor.
Thus, on the coming January 21, which would have been the celebration of Vanda Catarina’s 45th birthday, we will launch the “Vanda Catarina World Alliance” platform.
In a first phase, this platform will be dedicated to raising awareness of the cause of breast cancer prevention and treatment.
Last May, we held a conference on this topic at the Casa do Brasil in Madrid, which served to commemorate the first anniversary of her passing, and at which we also signed a collaboration protocol with the Madrid Surgical Association, which will be a very important collaborator in the development of this initiative.
But Vanda Catarina World Alliance will be much more than that: it will be our extension into topics of cultural diplomacy, science, education, and social innovation.
Acknowledgments
Now I want to thank everyone who has helped us make this awards ceremony a reality.
To our sponsors: Delta Cafés and Grupo HLA Hospitales. To our collaborators: the Banja Luka Tourism Organization (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Natas D’Ouro, the Casa de Cantabria de Madrid, Style4life Iberia, and Red Global MX – España. To our jury president, José Manuel Puente, and to the rest of the members, for their availability; and, of course, to all of you, who have illuminated this ceremony.
Personal Reflection: From the Iberian Peninsula to the Balkans
Now, a personal reflection.
The Raia Diplomática is, in its essence, a world project that has the Iberian Peninsula as one of its central hubs.
We want to establish connections with various parts of the world, such as Latin America, China, or other regions that, for various reasons, have not maintained a close relationship with the Iberian Peninsula.
Last September, we had the fortune of visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I also want to express our thanks to all the people who helped us: to Consul Aleksandar Budisa, who, in an informal conversation more than two years ago, promised to help me visit his country; to Saša Čekrlija; a special thanks to Emina Nizić, from Visit Sarajevo, who organized our fantastic trip; also, in Sarajevo, to Naida and Ermin, for showing us the history, culture, and gastronomy; and in Banja Luka, to Minja, Mladen, and Dijana, for likewise showing us the culture, history, gastronomy, and the fantastic Vrbas River.
I want to thank Sarajevo and Banja Luka for having worked together to give us an unforgettable trip to the Raia Diplomática, for we know well that a tourist route between Sarajevo and Banja Luka is not the most common, and that reinforces the importance of this journey.
On behalf of the Raia Diplomática, we are at your disposal to strengthen our relationship with Banja Luka and Sarajevo, and with this region, so that in the future there will be a deepening of collaboration between these two peninsulas: the Iberian and the Balkan.
“Because, after all, we must build fewer borders and more raias (raia being the word for the friendly, shared borderland communities along the Portugal–Spain frontier).”
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