Spain
Last Updated on Monday, 07 May 2012 14:20 Written by Communications Intern Tuesday, 29 June 2010 13:51
AWEPA Founding and Honorary President Dr. Jan Nico Scholten visiting the Spanish AWEPA Section
The Spanish section of AWEPA has recently been re-established during the Spanish EU Presidency seminar in February 2010 with help from Spanish AWEPA Governing Council member and former head of the Spanish AWEPA Section, Mr. Francisco Arnau.
AWEPA Founding and Honorary President Dr. Jan Nico Scholten recently visited Madrid in June and met with Senator Maldonado and members of Spanish AWEPA Executive Committee to discuss the future plans.
The successor of Mr. Arnau is Senator Josep Maldonado, who also presides over the newly established Executive Committee in Spain. Sen. Maldonado says that this section, which is comprised of eight senators and three deputies, will focus on the goal of involving "Spanish political representatives in promoting and strengthening parliamentary democracy in Africa.
Iñaqui Anasagasti, Matilde Fernández, María Teresa Camacho, Jordi Guillot, Adoración Quesada, Pedro Torres and Elvira Velasco as well as Mr. Maldonado are the senators who belong to AWEPA Spain. The representation of the Congress is shaped by Aitor Esteban, Javier Lasarte and Beatriz Rodríguez-Salmones.
Senator Josep Maldonado; Minister of State Ms. Miet Smet, President AWEPA; Hon. Isidre Molas I Batllori, First Vice President of the Spanish Senate
Activities
AWEPA Spain celebrates Mandela Day
Nelson Mandela was born in a poor area of South Africa on July 18th,1918. Ninety-two years later people worldwide celebrate Mandela Day on his birthday in honour of a man who changed the history of his country and Africa as a whole.
Mr. Mandela was a leader in the fight against apartheid and spent decades in prison as a result of his protestation against the corrupt regime. However, his thoughts and ideas permeated the walls of his jail cell and affected people around the world. The admiration for this influential man was especially apparent during the recent World Cup in South Africa. Perhaps it was not only the athletes who were being celebrated but also Mandela who in many ways embodies South African liberation.
Mandela’s lasting influence serves as inspiration for those fighting against injustice in Africa today and it is therefore important to dedicate a day to the man who has helped so many find the courage to confront such problems. AWEPA Spain celebrates Mandela Day in order to commemorate the person who sacrificed so much for the freedom of his people.
Future Plans for the Spanish Section
Maldonado has announced that after the establishment of this Executive Committee "they will begin with the presentation before the Bureau and Presidents of the Congress and the Senate and maintain contacts with African Ambassadors in Spain." The Executive Committee, as the Senator indicated, also intends "to draw up an action plan which ensures that the AWEPA Spain section is a strong one, to promote relations with the rest of Europe and to build bridges of dialogue with African parliaments."
