The Jesús de Polanco memorial chair for Ibero-American studies brings together democracy and journalism from both sides of the Atlantic

The Jesús de Polanco memorial chair for Ibero-American studies is an academic forum in honor of the late president of PRISA, who died last year, explained his son Ignacio Polanco, president of the group, during the opening of the seminar The Quality of Democracy, the first event sponsored by the initiative at Madrid's Círculo de Bellas Artes. Most of Jesus de Polanco's efforts were "aimed at creating tools for education and culture, including quality journalism," added Ignacio Polanco.

A closer encounter between Spain and Latin America and a debate on the quality of democracy are two of the central themes of the initiative, which grew out of the collaboration between  the Fundación Santillana and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). The university's rector, Ángel Gabilondo, spoke warmly of the institution and Jesus de Polanco: " He believed in the university system and in the training of journalists, and models which might not always be considered conventional," he said. The Madrid-based university and El Pais have offered a Masters in Journalism for over 20 years.

PRISA CEO, Juan Luis Cebrián, reiterated the importance of linking the institution to Latin America. "It was a very real passion for Jesus de Polanco," he said, adding that it should become a "forum for reflection, study and learning".

"A spirit of sharing, of exchange"

Pedro Martínez Lillo, one of the two co-directors of the initiative and vice-rector of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, pointed out that the project was born out of a spirit of sharing, of exchange. The other co-director, Joaquín Estefanía - head of the UAM/El Pais Masters in Journalism ­- recalled the valuable input of the late Isabel Polanco, who died last March, just months after her father.

Joaquín Estefanía stressed the vital role of Jesús de Polanco as a creator of "tools for democracy" through books and newspapers,  and mentioned the names of the leading figures who make up the Chair's honorary board: the writers Gabriel García Márquez and Carlos Fuentes, and former Spanish prime minister Felipe González.

Enrique Iglesias, Salvador Ordóñez, Amelia Valcárcel, José Luis Machinea, José Juan Ruiz, Víctor Pérez Díaz, Jean François Fogel, Mónica González and Vicente Verdú will join the debate at the forum at the Círculo de Bellas Artes on the relationship between democracy and the media, education and the economy.

The forum will be followed up  by a similar event on the other side of the Atlantic at the Guadalajara International Book Fair in Mexico.