July 31, 2010 :: 8:19 AM
H.M. the King, Honorary Chairman of the Congress
His Majesty Juan Carlos I, King of Spain, has graciously acceded to the request of CIRIEC-España and accepted the Honorary Chair of CIRIEC's 27th International Congress of the Public, Social and Cooperative Economy, which will take place in Seville on 22, 23 and 24 September 2008.
His Majesty has already been the Honorary Chairman of the 19th International Congress of CIRIEC, held in Valencia in 1992, the first CIRIEC Congress to take place in Spain. The Valencia Congress was opened by the then Vice-President of the Spanish Government (Deputy Prime Minister), Narcís Serra, accompanied by the President of the Regional Government of Valencia, Joan Lerma, and the Mayor of Valencia, Rita Barberá.
The President of CIRIEC-España, José Luis Monzón, considers the Honorary Chairmanship of King Juan Carlos "a great satisfaction", as "it highlights the significance of the International Congresses of CIRIEC". Specifically, also, "it shows the Monarchy's awareness of the part that the public and social economy plays in reinforcing welfare in advanced societies".
As José Luis Monzón concluded, "it is no coincidence that His Majesty the King was Honorary Chairman of the CIRIEC Congress in Valencia in 1992, or that Prince Felipe often takes part in events organised by social economy organisations and federations in Spain".
