Rafael Anson, Oscar Arias to Receive Doctorates Honoris Causa at Alfonso X University

Don Rafael Anson and Oscar Arias Sánchez will receive doctorates Honoris Causa of the Alfonso X El Sabio University, in a ceremony that will take place next April 16, on the campus of Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid.

Mr. Anson was born in San Sebastian on September 12, 1935. He graduated in Law from the Complutense University of Madrid and graduated from the French National School of Administration. He has developed his career in the state administration to become Director General of Radio and Television and head of TVE and RNE.

He is a founder of the Academy of Sciences and Television Arts, Association of Communication Directors of the Foundation of Friends of the Museo del Prado and associate member of the Friends of the Royal Theater in Madrid. In addition, he is chairman of the Foundation of Sociological Studies, and founder and current president of the Royal Academy of Gastronomy and the Spanish Nutrition Foundation.

Mr. Oscar Arias Sanchez was born in San Jose, Costa Rica, on September 13, 1940. He graduated in Law from the University of Costa Rica and got a PhD degree in Political Science from the University of Essex.

He was president of Costa Rica for two terms: between 1986 and 1990, and then from 2006 to 2010. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987 in recognition of its work. This award was an invaluable support for the consolidation of peace processes in Latin America and allowed for the creation of the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress, an institution that is dedicated to promoting causes like demilitarization, SALW control, gender equality and democratic governance.

He has over 80 honorary doctorates from various international universities, like Harvard and Princeton, and numerous awards, including the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation.

Don Anson writes a column for our Excelencias Gourmet website.