When I went to the Dominican Republic, the only person I knew was Carlos Morales Troncoso, the minister of foreign affairs. I consider him to be a great man and I believe he will be a leader of the Dominican Republic in the future. When you meet him, you will instantly be attracted to his personality, strength, and kindness.

When Farouk Hosni, the Egyptian minister of culture, was nominated to be the next UNESCO director- general, I will never forget how Troncoso stood by Egypt and offered his endorsement from the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic, at the time, was the head of the South American coalition of UNESCO. This put Troncoso in a position to help Egypt and Hosni.

I was informed that Father Alonso, the dean of the Catholic University in the Dominican Republic, and the Dominican Embassy in Egypt, wanted to bestow on me an honorary doctorate. I have received two honorary doctorates previously, one from the American University in Cairo and one from Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University in Bangkok, Thailand. I am humbled by this recognition, but it also reminds me of the work that still needs to be done.

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