Vicente Fox, former president of Mexico, will be honored Wednesday, April 25, with the Award for Peace and Democracy at a gala dinner hosted by UCSD’s Institute of Americas.
Fox was elected in 2000, ending more than 70 years of rule by the Institutional Revolutionary Party. During his term, which ended in 2006, Fox helped the country transition from a strong federal government to one that is now decentralized and focused on growing states and municipalities, according to Isabel Escalle, director of community programs at the Institute of Americas.
“People can gain a little better understanding of the Institute and what we stand for with Latin America and furthering its development both economically and politically,” Escalle said of the event, which is being held at the U.S. Grant Hotel in downtown San Diego. “It’s a way to appreciate and recognize people that we don’t so often come into contact with. It’s not typical that you have a president of another country coming through San Diego, so I think in that aspect we are unique.”
Fox will be the 13th individual to receive the honor, which is determined by the Institute’s 30-member board of directors. The board is made up of leaders of prestigious organizations from various countries.
Award recipients are selected based upon their role in economic development, the democratization process and an ability to build and promote institutions necessary for the democratic system, according to Escalle.
The Institute of Americas holds monthly community events in an effort to further knowledge of Latin American countries and their individual cultures, economies and political policies, Escalle said.
Tickets for the dinner gala are $250 per person or $500 for dinner and a private reception. The price for a table of eight ranges from $2,000 for dinner to $5,000 for dinner and the reception.
For more information or to register, visit www.iamericas.org.