The Prince Felipe Chair at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. (USA) is a chair that the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of the Spanish government periodically convenes to a competitive public bidding within the framework of the agreement signed between Georgetown University, The Spanish Embassy in the US, and the Endesa Foundation. The Prince of Asturias Chair of Georgetown University was created in 1999 to honour the figure of Prince Felipe of Bourbon and Greece, currently King Felipe VI of Spain, who developed his post-graduate studies at Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University.

Jorge Garcés, professor of the Universitat de València, was chosen by a mixed selection committee, composed of principals of Spanish universities, members of Georgetown University, members of the Ministry of Universities, and representatives of Endesa Foundation.

Jorge Garcés emphasises that “the role of the Prince of Asturias Chair is essential for the creation of academic and scientific bridges between Spain and the United States. Today more than ever, we must create ties between one another looking to improve our society. We have to lean on ICTs and AI, of course, but we mustn’t forget about people. The social aspect must be the backbone of everything; education, research, politics, and the economy. This year, Poliwelfare turns 15 and each ceremony we’re celebrating will bear in mind this message to not lose sight of it”.

Three years in charge of the chair

During the three years he held the Prince of Asturias Chair, professor Garcés developed teaching and research activities in order to contribute to the promotion and dissemination of studies about Spain and Europe in the field of Comparative European Social Policies, accepting as well the institutional representation of the chair before organisms and public figures of the academic, scientific, economic, social, and diplomatic world in the US. Thus, and with that holistic vision of contributing to the dissemination and promotion of science and Spanish university research, professor Garcés carried out bilateral meetings between the prince of Asturias Chair and different international institutions located in Washington D.C., such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Organization of American States, the Pan American Health Organization, and the Delegation of the European Commission in the US. In that same line, he collaborated and still keeps collaborating with prestigious North American think tanks like Brookings, Wilson Center, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Council on Foreign Relations.

It should also be noted that the work developed by Jorge Garcés alongside the Spanish Embassy in Washington D.C. in the promotion and consolidation of the first Association of Spanish Scientists in the US. (ECUSA) Together with said scientific association, the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT) and the Spanish Embassy, from the Prince of Asturias Chair, organized the “First Congress of Spanish Scientists” in September of 2015 in the US, with the sponsorship of the Ramón Aceres Foundation, La Caixa Foundation, The Endesa Foundation, presided over by the Spanish monarchs.

Since its creation in 1999, besides Jorge Garcés Ferrer, prominent academics have held this chair, such as Josep María Colomer, Natividad Fernández Sola, or Juan Luis Manfredi, who have contributed to disseminating a fuller and more diverse picture of the Spanish reality in an international context.

About Poliwelfare, de la Universitat de València

The Poliwelfare research Institute, is a public institute of research, belonging to the Universitat de València that has international reference, specialised in research, innovation, social technology, technical assistance, and training in the field of political science. In addition to the research around its 3 lines of research, health, sustainability, governance and innovation, and inclusive education, Poliwelfare advises management and businesses on the design, planning and implementation of social welfare resources and policies, and sustainability.

This year, it celebrates its 15th anniversary and it will do it with the main idea of #somossocial. In line with its dynamics, Poliwelfare will celebrate a social ceremony, an academic ceremony, and several conferences that foster the economic, social, political and technical sustainability of welfare systems in Europe.