SPEECH BY MARIE LEVENS FOR THE DOCTORAL CEREMONY

OF THE VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSELS

Mr. Chair of the Board of the Free University of Brussels, Eddy van

Gelder,

Prof. Paul de Knop, Rector of the Free University of Brussels

OTHER DIGNITARIES present here today

Fellow honorees,

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen:

I was asked to speak for those of us who are being awarded honorary

doctorate degrees here today at the Vrije Universiteit Brussels - the

VUB. While it may sound like a clich, it is, indeed an honor that such

a prestigious university has chosen to recognize us and to value the

contribution that we are making in this world.

I was looking over the diverse fields and issues in which all of us are

working: medicine, science, the humanities, womens rights, human

rights, etc. Regardless of the field of work, we are all connected to

education. In some way, we all value the importance of education to

alleviate poverty, to promote economic and all-inclusive social

development, and to further develop science and innovation.

Let me say first that we are receiving this award on behalf of many.

We - all of us - have had many mentors. Many who supported us in

our lives and in our journey to become who we are today: our parents

in the first place, our families, our friends, our teachers, our

colleagues and our communities and our countries.

Many who set our moral grounding and through their spirit and their

joy in living, served as an example for us.

We are thankful for their love, their knowledge, and their limitless

support.

We are thankful for the many opportunities we have had that have

brought us to this stage today. We recognize that we did not arrive

here on our own.

For this reason, each of us has tried to give back to our communities

and our regions. It is a way in which we can share our thankfulness.

We share a passion. And, it is clear that our passion and commitment

to promote change for a better life for all is driven by the inequity and

inequality we see that many still encounter in their daily lives. While

Europe may take political stability for granted, we who work in

Development are disturbed by the lack of real democracy the

Democracy where people have a say in their own lives on a daily

basis and not just every 4 years. Democracy where there is room for

mutual respect despite the differences in color, race, beliefs and

political thinking.

We strongly believe in a more just society where more of us have

access to the wealth that can be distributed more equally.

In my work around the world, I have seen many, many children

suffering from poverty: no food, no clothes, no shelter, no safety.

And, it is this picture that makes you realize how rich we are, how

lucky we are, how thankful we should be. But, more then that, how

committed we should be to drastically changing the situation where a

small minority of privileged people can take advantage of the vast

majority.

I thank the Free University of Brussels for not only recognizing our

work through this honorary doctorate, but for playing an active role as

a change agent through its programs in Belgium, in many developing

countries, and especially, also, in Latin America and the Caribbean,

the region that is my home.

We congratulate the VUB with this well-organized celebration.

Bringing this august group of distinguished people together from

around the world reflects your continuing commitment to address the

staggering demand for strengthening international relations, which is

so necessary for peace and stability.

We encourage you to keep on sharing your collective wisdom through

science and education programs and keep on developing policies

that promote the quality of the lives of all.

I cannot resist publicly thanking the Free University of Brussels for its

massive contribution to the education of my Latin American and

Caribbean students and professors through scholarships in research

at the doctoral and masters level; but, more than that, in starting a

new journey in playing a major role in further strengthening the

educational system in Panama together with other universities around

the world.

We are grateful today for our awards, and we promise to go forward

with what we are doing: making the world a better place, one person

at a time.

Thank you so very much.

Sent from my iPhone