HAIFA (Press Release) — Secretary-General of the OECD Angel Gurrίa received the University of Haifa’s highest accolade, the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, honoris causa, at a gala event at the University on Nov. 22.
Gurrίa received the tribute in recognition of his efforts in promoting economic cooperation and for his friendship and longstanding support of the State of Israel.
“This is a great honor for me but also a commitment. I am committed to not forgetting that on the day of receiving this degree we spoke of equality – how it can be achieved, to improve humanity by achieving more equality. Everywhere I go I will carry this as a badge, as a token of my commitment to fighting for increased equality around the world,” said Gurrίa after receiving the award.
President of the University of Haifa, Prof. Aaron Ben-Ze’ev and Rector Prof. David Faraggi presented the award to Gurrίa, who was accompanied by Israel’s Minister of Finance, Dr. Yuval Steinitz and by CEO and owners of Keter Israel, Sami Segol. Also present at the event to honor Mr. Gurrίa were former Governor of the Bank of Israel, Jacob Frenkel, industrialist Dov Lautman and Secretary-General of the Bahá’í International Community, Dr. Albert Lincoln.
The Senate of the University of Haifa also noted in its reasons for giving the honorary doctorate Gurrίa’s inspiring and impressive leadership as Secretary-General of the OECD; his efforts in promoting economic cooperation through minimization of trade restrictions, reducing economic inequality, combating poverty, and investing in human capital through better education and health services; and his unwavering commitment to multicultural dialogue and mutual respect amongst all people.
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Preceding provided by the University of Haifa