Josep Borrell, new Doctor Honoris Causa

The vice-rector for Institutional Relations, Organization and General Registrar, Dolores Carrillo, was in charge of reading the appointment of the new honoris causa. In his speech, Alberto Priego recalled that “doing the right thing is something that can sometimes be difficult to identify and, above all, something that is difficult to do when occupying positions of great responsibility like those held by our candidate.” However, he noted; “doing the right thing allows us to join the club of ‘the best for the world’, something we require at Comillas to become one of our doctors.”

Priego referred to the Comillas anthem and went on to assure that: “There is no doubt that you are a very competent person, but moreover you were compassionate to the 629 people you allowed to disembark in Valencia, saving them from certain death. You were very aware of the pain that wars would bring, even warning 13 years before the invasion of Ukraine that peace was not the normal state of affairs. You were critical of those who put business with Russia above the lives of Ukrainians, and for that, you warned them that Europe would not trade its human rights for Russian gas. And finally, you have been, and are, committed to peace and justice, which has earned you no small amount of criticism. In the end, as Joseph Nye says, "it all comes down to one phrase: Morality Matters," he concluded.

“We Europeans no longer make history”

When it was his turn, Josep Borrell acknowledged the honor that this recognition represents and extended it to those colleagues who, over the past five years, have worked to defend the application of humanitarian law from Europe. Borrell also dedicated a few words to the Society of Jesus: “I want to acknowledge the role that the Jesuits have developed in education, in general, and in higher education in particular. The order is full of people who have traveled to remote countries and who have been able to integrate faith as an instrument of progress and education as the foundation of the well-being of people. I feel very grateful to be part of a family with such illustrious members,” he said.

Afterwards, Borrell focused his speech on the analysis of the international political situation and the role that Europe must have in the world. “Five hundred years ago, history advanced with the keels of our ships, the tips of our swords and the crosses of our missionaries. We Europeans no longer make history, now it is a product of import for us,” he pointed out. “However —he continued— this fact has united us. War is an unimaginable thing among current Europeans and given our background, that is not a trivial fact. Our children and grandchildren have only known peace and can travel from Gibraltar to Helsinki. Borders exist, but they are not seen because we are citizens of a higher unity, a historical success,” he recalled.

Borrell went on to refer to the fragile balance on which peace is based: “It must be specified and built, and in this the EU has made a very valuable contribution that should be remembered.” Therefore, he questioned whether we will be able to continue helping Ukraine and whether we are aware of what it would mean if it lost this war against Russia. “Putin does not need to win, he just needs not to lose. Ukraine cannot win alone; it needs help from Europeans and Americans. If with the new Trump government he decides to withdraw support, would we be able to defend Ukraine alone? We must be prepared to give a response. What is at stake is not only the peace of the country, but the peace of all,” he stressed.

Finally, the former high representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy emphasized the need for Europe to endure and to avoid a new power duo. “Stabilizing elements are needed, and we can be them if we are able to politically mature and to react to the neo-imperial tendencies of both Russia and the United States. If the world is not governed by rules, it will be ruled by force,” he concluded.

Living testament to a fairer society

The rector of the university, Antonio Allende, SJ, was in charge of closing the event. “This recognition is not only a tribute to his impressive academic and political career but also to his unwavering commitment to the values that also define our institution: the pursuit of truth, service to others and the promotion of social justice,” he pointed out. “Mr. Borrell is a living testament to the impact that knowledge and ethical commitment can have on building a fairer and more equitable international society. Dr. Borrell has forged a career based on perseverance, academic excellence and public service,” he said.

“Comillas is not just a space for academic training, but a centre of inspiration for future leaders who, like Borrell, can exercise their profession with social responsibility and a vocation for service, using law as a privileged instrument for building a world in which relationships are not based on force, but on justice, and ultimately for us, on fraternity,” he recalled. If there is something that defines Josep Borrell's career, it is his commitment to social justice and dialogue as central axes of political and social development. In a polarized world, where geopolitical conflicts and humanitarian crises are multiplying, his leadership in the European Union has been fundamental in strengthening cooperation among nations and defending democratic values.”

To conclude, he addressed all members of the university community to insist on one idea: “What we celebrate here today is that leadership is not measured only in terms of personal success, but in the impact we have on society. In our classrooms, we want to train leaders who will have to face the challenges of their time with courage and determination.”

Key figure in European politics

Josep Borrell is one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Spanish and European politics. With an extensive career in both national and international arenas, from 2019 to 2024 he served as high representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in addition to being vice-president of the European Commission. In this role, he has led the diplomacy of the European Union during a particularly complex period, marked by challenges such as geopolitical tensions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the conflict in Ukraine.

Previously, from 2004 to 2007, he was President of the European Parliament, being the first Spaniard to hold this position. During his term, he worked to strengthen cohesion and dialogue among member states and promoted greater citizen participation in European decisions. His leadership in Parliament consolidated his reputation as a staunch defender of the European project, as well as of integration and cooperation among the countries of the Union.

In the national political arena, he has held significant government responsibilities at different times. He was Minister of Public Works, Transport and the Environment, as well as Secretary of State for Finance, during the Governments of Felipe González. More recently, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation in the first Government of Pedro Sánchez, leading Spain's foreign policy, defending its interests in international forums, and working closely with other EU countries to address global challenges such as migration, climate change, and international relations in an increasingly interconnected world.