FELLOWSHIPS
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Througout my professional career, I have worked with politicians of very different colours, but never joined a party or had an active life in politics (voting excluded). However, when I became 60 years old, I felt embarrassed with the chaotic situation of institutions, political affairs, and extended corruption in my country. Thus, I decided -as an act of citizenship- to support and affiliate in a party that could change things. Searching the scenario I found Unión, Progreso y Democracia, UPyD, a recently created party (September, 2007) with presence at the Parliament of Spain. One of its promoters is the philosopher Fernando Savater, whom I admire for his lucidity and deep sense of democracy. UPyD matches all my ideas about the unity of Spain, the role of Europe, the rejection of nationalism and other tribal phenomena, the ruling of law, the need of universal transparence, a progressive view of life with full respect to individual liberties, and the fierce defence of citizenship. I feel very confortable in UPyD and collaborate in my limited capacity. We are a minority at present, but believing in “good sense”, as I do, UPyD must grow and have a chance sooner or later. The task at present is to keep the ideology alive.
Today, 6th of December 2020, UPyD anounced its formal dissolution as a political party. I receive the news with sorrow, and I write these lines with a deep sense of melancholy….
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The World Academy of Art and Science is composed of more than 700 individual Fellows from diverse cultures, nationalities, and intellectual disciplines, chosen for eminence in art, the natural and social sciences, and the humanities. Established in 1960 by distinguished individuals concerned by the impact of the explosive growth of knowledge, its activities seek to address global issues related to the social consequences and policy implications of knowledge. The Academy serves as a forum for reflective scientists, artists, and scholars to discuss the vital problems of humankind independent of political boundaries or limits, whether spiritual or physical — a forum where these problems can be discussed objectively, scientifically, globally, and free from vested interests or regional attachments, to arrive at solutions that affirm universal human rights and serve the interests of all humanity. We humans, more and more, are taking into our own hands the future evolution of our bodies, our minds, the civilizations we create, and the very planet we inhabit. WAAS is founded on faith in the power of original and creative ideas — Real Ideas with effective power — to change the world. I have published some ideas in a short article in Eruditio, one of the WAS’s magazine (see article). Let see what happens.
www.worldacademy.org -
The Canarian Institute of Hispanic Studies (IEHCA) is a foundation based in Puerto de La Cruz (Tenerife), established in 1953 for promoting Canarian, American and Hispanic culture in general. It has many activities each year: Spanish coursed for foreigners, workshops for young researchers and innovators, the Day of Hispanity, the Scientific Week Telesforo Bravo, the Historic Week of America, cinema disussions, and several art exhibits and varied conferences.
www.iehcan.com -
The Economic Societies of Friends of the Country are associations that proliferated in Spain and South America during the reign of Carlos III, who was a champion of science and rationalism for promoting economic momentum and social reform. Most have disappeared and a dozen remain. The RSEAPT of Tenerife was established in La Laguna in 1977, and I guess that it played some role in modernization of the island civil society, as did their counterparts. At present, it is a center of cultural activities enriching life of the city of La Laguna, a World Heritage Site. The conference I gave at one event in 2007, adopting the same critical thinking and defense of rationality that inspired these institutions, was very nicely published afterwards, and I am very grateful for that (open PDF).
www.rseapt.com -
Natural History museums are magical places, and since I was a child I cannot resist their powerfull attraction. I am a compulsive museum visitor (Paris, London, Stockholm, Leiden, Munich, Bonn, Moscow, Oporto, Geneve, Harare, Ontario, Washington DC, etc.). That of Madrid has a special meaning for me. I spent a memorable summer in 1973 as a young Biology student interested in Entomology. Thereafter, I have repeated my visits to dive in the library, study collections or meet with some colleagues and friends. Since I joined the Society of Friends of the Museum (SAM) in 2005, I try to publish my research results in Graellsia, which is now the official journal of the Association.
www.sam.mncn.csic.es -
The CURCULIO-Institute – Center for Studies on European / Palearctic Curculionoidea started in Mönchengladbach, Germany, in 1999. It is a very specialized association of professional and amateur entomologists who study weevils and promote their conservation. Therefore, having started myself a research on Laparocerus, –which are weevils- I found almost an obligation to join the “Curci” tribe. I made friends with Dr. Peter Stüben, one on the founding-fathers, who regularly visits the Canaries since the CURCI established a small biological station at Hermigua, in La Gomera. I collaborate with him and with other European colleagues who share the opinion that Science has no frontiers.
www.curci.de -
When I wrote several scripts for nature documentaries somebody registered me in the Authors’ Society of Spain. I deduce so, because at the end of 2000 I received a notification of author royalties ready for transfer to my bank account. Although the amounts were not impressive at all, it was a nice surprise. It let me track the many times the documentaries have been repeated in the television and on the international channel, year by year which is a nice way of following impact. The SGAE is based in Madrid, and I should pay a visit to it some day.
www.sgae.es -
When I was 17 years old, I decided to make a collection of beetles. Seeking advice, I was recommended to get in contact with “Don José” (José María Fernández), who was the curator of a rudimentary museum of Natural History harbored in an old building lost in the city park of “La Granja”, in Santa Cruz. Don José infused me with field Entomology early before I joined the University, and my links with him and the museum mantained until he died in 1979. At present, the old “Museo Insular de Ciencias Naturales” is a fantastic neoclasic building with modern facilites, belonging to the museum complex of the Island Council. I joined the Association of Friends of the Museum as soon as it was created, and I do really feel like a friend, an old friend, I would say.
www.amigosmnh.org -
The Professional Association of Biologists has many branches all over Spain. It works for an equitable recognition of biologists among other professionals, and organizes training courses for improving skills for biologists in order to compete and do a good job. I joined the association of Madrid in 1987 as registered member 1024-J, and was transferred to the Canarian branch, the COBCAN, as soon as it was established. The newsletter of COBCAN always has interesting information, especially for those seeking a job, and the web provides a forum for debating issues of common interest.
www.cobcan.es -
Being an entomologist, you should join your local or national association of entomologists. I did so in 1979, shortly after the SEA was founded (Member 021). It covers all of Spain, but activities take place mostly in the Iberian Peninsula and very scarcely on the islands. Nonetheless, I receive the Association’s bulletin and have participated in some of the Congresses of Entomology, organized often in conjunction with the Portuguese Association. They are a great occasion to meet colleagues and refill the batteries.
www.entomologica.es -
I am one of the millions who have been seduced by the fascinating photos that ornate every issue of the National Geographic magazine. As soon as I got my first salary in 1976, I joined the Society to gain a subscription to such a fantastic treasure. In it, I discovered a dream world of expeditions, research and travel stories written in a vivid and captivating style. I remember well my emotion the day I visited the Society’s main building in Washington D.C. just to watch a documentary on the Everglades. Very possibly, part of my life has been influenced by the spirit of adventure and discovery promoted there. The NG magazine, with its papaya-yellow covers, is one more family member at home and has been always around. In our farm-house of La Palma, there is a bookcase filled with hundreds of ‘National Geographics’. I cannot get rid of them. I am in debt.
www.nationalgeographic.com -
The IEC was founded in 1932 with ambitious aims of promoting all kind of studies of Canarian culture and science. It is closely linked to the University of La Laguna and publishes many of the intellectual production of that institution. Its activity as editor is important, as well as the courses it organizes or the Canarian Library it maintains. By appointment of Professor Telesforo Bravo, I joined as a collaborating member in 1972 still being a student, and later, in 1981, I became a full member. Three of my books have been published by the IEC.
www.iecan.org
