One of the most exclusive events in the field of education is the UNESCO House of Feigenblatt luncheon which is held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. This prestigious event is reserved for collar members of the House, prominent figures who have received the coveted “livery collar” of the House, and for high level guests such as university presidents and statesmen. January’s UNESCO House of Feigenblatt luncheon featured an impressive lineup of luminaries. Jorge Antón Jornet and Adelino Sousa of Virtualeduca, a leading platform for educational innovation, presented their vision on the bright future of aerospace education as well as the pivotal role that educational institutions can play in the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). His Excellency Carlos Hernandez, President of the Central American Parliament, headed a high-level delegation which included members of parliament from the Republic of Panama and El Salvador. The Central American Parliament is a key institution in the development of regional frameworks for educational cooperation in Central America and the Dominican Republic. His Excellency Carlos Hernandez focused on the need to provide educational opportunities for youth through joint action with socially responsible universities in other regions of the world. One of North America’s most innovative higher education institutions, the Catholic University of New Spain, bestowed an honorary doctorate to His Excellency Carlos Hernandez for his many years of service to the Central American Parliament. The Catholic University of New Spain also pledged to provide technical expertise and scholarships to the intergovernmental organization.
Arif Anis, MBE, collar member of the House of Feigenblatt and special envoy of the House to Central Asia and the Middle East, emphasized the need to work with other regions of the world to tackle transregional issues such as the misalignment of higher education programs and employment needs. The Special Envoy for the Middle East is also serving as minister counsellor of the House of Feigenblatt to the Central American parliament with a portfolio which focuses on looking for opportunities of cooperation between Central America and Asia through student exchanges, leadership mentorship, and joint ventures. Mr. Anis introduced Dr. Tasawar Aslam, a prominent physician, who received an honorary doctorate from the Catholic University of New Spain for his outstanding community service and expertise.
Dr. Mathew J. Anderson, Senior Minister Counsellor of the House of Feigenblatt to the Central American Parliament shared lessons from his many years of experience leading higher education institutions in the Americas. Dr. Anderson expressed his wish to see the region grow to become an educational hub and his desire to strengthen higher education to foster sustainable economic growth.
Representing one of the oldest institutions involved in education, Reverend Father Jose Rubio Willen, Director of the Commission of Isabella the Catholic of the Archdiocese of Valladolid, stressed the need to understand our past so that we can envision a future. Father Jose explained the important role played by the Isabella the Catholic in terms of bringing together two cultures and thus fostering the rich cultural hybridity of the Americas.
The official visit to UNESCO and the UNESCO House of Feigenblatt luncheon was chaired and hosted by one of the leading scholars in the field of higher education, His Excellency Ambassador Otto Federico von Feigenblatt, Andean Parliament Special Envoy for Education and UNESCO Senior Consultant. Ambassador von Feigenblatt has served as UN Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Observer of the International Youth Organization and as advisor to the Andean Parliament on issues of higher education. His Excellency is the head of the House of Feigenblatt and concurrently serves as its ambassador and permanent observer to the Central American Parliament. His Excellency served as facilitator for the high-level meetings and explained the many activities of the House of Feigenblatt in the promotion of educational opportunities in the developing world. Ambassador von Feigenblatt was joined by His Excellency Ambassador Daniel del Valle Blanco, former UN Ambassador and currently serving as deputy permanent observer of the House of Feigenblatt to the Central American Parliament. Ambassador del Valle Blanco is a leading voice in the field of international youth policymaking. Ambassador del Valle Blanco talked about the challenges faced by young people when entering a tight job market and he provided a refreshing perspective on how universities can reach more students who need scholarships. Collar Members of the House and visiting dignitaries finished the day with a Gala Dinner attended by members of several royal houses and thus had the opportunity to interact with one another. Collar members wore their “livery collar’s” to the Gala, the highest form of the livery badge. Made of precious metals and hand polished, the livery collars of the House of Feigenblatt represent the wearer’s closeness to the head of the House and their endorsement of the House’s values and mission.
