The Princess of Girona Foundation Awards Ceremony was an event full of emotion, excitement and good times. We tell you everything that happened during the event!
The Princess of Girona Foundation Awards ceremony took place a fortnight ago in Barcelona at the CaixaForum. This event recognised the careers of the award winners in the business, arts and literature, science, social and international categories for the years 2020 and 2021.
Our director Guillermo M. Gauna-Vivas, collected his 2020 award in the Social category for his inspiring career and for bringing 3D printing technology to vulnerable groups around the world in order to help and improve their quality of life.
During the meeting in Zarzuela to talk about the challenges of the third sectorGuillermo spoke with Doña Letizia about Ayúdame3D's solidarity products and promised to bring a pair of Helpis for the Princess of Girona and Asturias and the Infanta Sofia. At the end of the ceremony and during the time in which the Royal Family had an informal conversation with the award winners, Guillermo was able to hand over the two Helpis and the news reached some of the most unexpected media on the national scene. We have to confess that seeing our boss being featured in the tabloids has given us a lot to talk about in the office.
Another important part of the event was being able to meet all the guests: authorities, other award winners, family members... We always talk about Arantxa Martínez from itwillbe.org as a great reference for Ayúdame3D. Arantxa is a woman who has always worked for others and who has set the way forward for the third sector. Being able to talk to her for a long time and come up with solutions together was wonderful.
Carmen Calvo and Meritxell Batet attended from the Government, who were able to see first-hand the work of Ayúdame3D and our solidarity products.
H.M. the King commented in one of the moments we were able to chat with him, that the opportunities offered by 3D printing were endless and that it was incredible to see how technology was being used to help. The Infanta Sofia joined the conversation stating that she has a keen interest in the disciplines of science and technology. Guille then commented that it was time to learn with a 3D printer and that the family could count on him to help them with whatever they needed.
We do not want to end this post without referring to the new Princess of Girona Social Award, Ousman Umar, founder of the NGO NASCO Feeding Minds. This entity aims to provide access to information and education, reducing the digital divide to prevent young people in Ghana from embarking on deadly journeys like the one Ousman himself undertook . It is an honour to have him pick up the baton of the Social Award. Five minutes of conversation in the lift were enough to know that his commitment and work are fundamental to building a more equal and just society.