Federico Mayor Zaragoza, the former Minister of Education and the long-serving Director-General of UNESCO, passed away on Thursday at the age of 90, leaving behind a significant legacy marked by his unyielding commitment to education, science, and peace. Born on January 27, 1934, in Barcelona, Mayor Zaragoza's life was dedicated to bridging cultural divides through knowledge and diplomacy.
Trained as a pharmacist, he earned his university degrees from the Complutense University of Madrid and later became Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Granada, where he also served as rector from 1968 to 1972. His scientific career was notable for his role as one of the pioneers of neonatal screening, recognizing its importance to child health and human rights. "Federico Mayor Zaragoza was one of the persons who most worked to promote neonatal screening in our country," highlighted Javier Padilla, Secretary of State for Health.
Mayor Zaragoza's foray Into politics began during the tail end of Francisco Franco's regime. He joined the government as the Deputy Secretary of Education and Science under Carlos Arias Navarro. It was during these turbulent times he crafted policies aimed at improving education and science, preparing himself for subsequent roles as elected deputy by the Union of Democratic Centre (UCD) during the first democratic elections.
His significant political ascent reached its peak when he served as Minister of Education and Science under Prime Minister Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo from 1981 to 1982. His ministry focused on educational reforms and fostering scientific cooperation with Latin America, laying the groundwork for future initiatives.
From 1987 to 1999, Mayor Zaragoza held the position of Director-General of UNESCO, where he championed initiatives aimed at fostering peace, dialogue between cultures, and human rights. "If we want to end inter-ethnic conflicts, we must invest less in wars and more in the culture of peace," he proclaimed, underscoring his belief in education as the bedrock of societal growth and harmony.
After returning to Spain, he founded the Foundation for Culture of Peace, continuing his mission to advocate for global collaboration and the elimination of violence across cultures. His principles and dedication earned him both national and international recognition as he worked closely with various organizations to promote mutual respect and dialogue.
The news of Mayor Zaragoza's death has prompted heartfelt tributes from public figures and institutions alike. José Manuel Albares, Spain's Foreign Minister, described him as "a universal Spaniard who projected the country onto the world stage," expressing hopes for the endurance of his legacy of peace, culture, and mutual respect.
Audrey Azoulay, the current director of UNESCO, remarked, "The family of UNESCO mourns the death of Federico Mayor, Director-General of the Organization from 1987 to 1999," noting the enormous impact he had on the organization and the global community. She emphasized his focus on education for human rights and conflict prevention, which shaped UNESCO's mission significantly during his tenure.
The Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, which he co-founded, stated, "With great sadness, we bid farewell to Mr. Federico Mayor Zaragoza, founder of the CBM and pillar of science. His legacy, dedication, and inspiration will always guide us." The outpouring of condolences is reflective of the respectful memory he cultivated throughout his career.
Federico Mayor Zaragoza leaves behind not just accomplishments, but also ideals. His vision of fostering dialogue over conflict and valuing diverse cultures lives on as part of his legacy. Citing one of his insights, he once stated, "The diversity of Spain is our richness; we are a melting pot." Such pondering reveals the depth of his convictions and his belief in embracing cultural differences as strengths.
His eloquent writings bridge across the realms of science, politics, and poetry. His works like “A Contraviento” and “La Palabra y La Espada” reflect not only his poetic talents but also his philosophical approach to resolving human challenges. Today, the world mourns the passing of not just a formidable scientist and politician but also a passionate advocate for humanity. Descanse en paz, Professor Federico Mayor Zaragoza.
