Sami Naïr and Elena García Armada, 2025 Humanist Thought and Action Awards

The Más Humano Foundation has celebrated a new edition of its Humanist Thought and Action Awards, which honour individuals whose intellectual work or active commitment, grounded in deeply humanistic values, have contributed to the development of other individuals or groups under equal conditions.

In this fourth edition, held yesterday at the Sagardoy headquarters, the Humanist Thought Award was granted to Sami Naïr for his outstanding contribution to the critical analysis of migratory phenomena and his defence of immigrants' rights; and the Humanist Action Award was given to Elena García Armada for putting scientific innovation at the service of children facing significant physical challenges, through the development of the world's first paediatric exoskeleton.

Sami Naïr, a professor of Political Science, honorary State Councillor, former European MP (1997-2004), and lecturer at several universities in France and Spain, is a specialist in geopolitics and migrations, and the author of the concept of co-development adopted by the French government in 1997. He is also a columnist for the international press. Among his essays are Accompanying Simone de Beauvoir. Women, Men, Equality or Europe in Chains, both published by Galaxia Gutenberg.

Recognised for his commitment to an inclusive vision of society and his defence of human rights, this award acknowledges the impact of his thought in a geopolitical context where social cohesion is particularly at risk.

During the ceremony, Naïr highlighted solidarity as a fundamental value, above all others, to build more just, inclusive, and cohesive societies. "Solidarity fundamentally refers to welcoming the other, supporting the other, extending a helping hand. And I believe that a well-organised and democratic society must have this concept at the heart of transmitting its values." He also emphasised the need to pass this value on to young people, against individualism, to respond with justice and commitment to the great global challenges of our time. "Solidarity is the best guide for life," he concluded.

For her part, Elena García Armada is an engineer, researcher, social entrepreneur, and Founder of Marsi Bionics, recognised for developing the world's first paediatric exoskeleton for children with neuromuscular pathologies and cerebral palsy, becoming a leading figure in the field of assistive robotics.

A winner of numerous awards and recognitions, author of 120 scientific papers and numerous books and articles, she is also a staunch advocate for social inclusion and equal opportunities for people with disabilities, ensuring that her innovations are accessible and affordable for all families in need. The Humanist Action Award valued this commitment to scientific dissemination and raising awareness about the importance of technology serving humanity, key to promoting public policies that facilitate access to advanced rehabilitation.

For the awardee, "the humanist vision is the true engine for technology to transform lives and for us to democratise that innovation, so that progress occurs in all possible directions and can reach more vulnerable groups or other cultures and countries." She also highlighted the emotion that accompanies such demanding and transformative work. "Science and engineering that change lives require time, effort with your team, and perseverance. That's why, when after a long journey you see that work translate into a child's smile or a mother's emotional embrace, you understand that there is no greater reward."

Once again, the jury was chaired by Mónica Margarit, general director at Madrid Futuro, an expert in social and educational organisations and for 10 years general director of the Princess of Girona Foundation. It also included Pepa Fernández, journalist at Radio Nacional de España; Hugo Fontela, Asturian painter, Princess of Girona Award 2014; and Belén Viloria, TEDx Ambassador and expert in Social Innovation and Sustainability. Additionally, winners of previous editions of these awards, with great recognition in the philosophical and social action fields, also formed part of this illustrious jury, such as José Antonio Marina, philosopher and educator; Toni Bruel, former general coordinator of the Spanish Red Cross; Carmen García de Andrés, president of Fundación Tomillo; and Diego Gracia, Doctor of Medicine and expert in bioethics.

The event, inaugurated by Beatriz Sánchez Guitián, general director of the Más Humano Foundation, was closed by Íñigo Sagardoy, president of the Foundation, who highlighted "the pride it means for the Foundation to promote, for the fourth year, these Awards and to recognise the excellence of leading individuals, whose exemplary values and trajectories are key to building a more just, equal, and truly human world."

The awardees received the sculpture "Calm Lake" by artist Victoria de Liñán, symbolising the connection between inner thought and transformative action. These awards are supported by Sagardoy and the Más Humano Business Network.

The Humanist Thought and Action Awards were inaugurated in 2022, on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Más Humano Foundation, with the aim of recognising and highlighting professional careers based on humanistic values, essential for building a more humane society. Since then, the awardees in the "Humanist Thought" category have been Adela Cortina, philosopher and professor of Ethics at the University of Valencia; José Antonio Marina, philosopher, essayist, educator, and Doctor Honoris Causa by the Polytechnic University of Valencia; and Diego Gracia, Doctor of Medicine and expert in bioethics. In the "Humanist Action" category, previous awardees have been Toni Bruel, general coordinator of the Spanish Red Cross; Ana Bella Estévez, president of the Ana Bella Foundation, which helps abused women; and Carmen García de Andrés, president of Fundación Tomillo.