The Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic and The Cross of Officer of the Order of Civil Merit were awarded respectively to the President of AJEM, Father Hady Aya, and to Emile E. Issa Communications Strategist & Public Relations expert, founder of KAMSYN PR Strategic Communications, Thursday 21^st of April 2016 by the Ambassador of Spain, Her Excellency Milagros Hernando Echevarria, on behalf of the Spanish King Felipe VI in recognition of their exceptional collaborations with Spain, in their respective areas of expertise.

The ceremony took place in the sumptuous surroundings of the Chehab Palace in Hadeth, The Residence of the Spanish Ambassador in the presence of prestigious guests that were specially invited for the occasion.

Several officials attended the Ceremony, including the former minister &  president of the Maronite Foundation in the World, HE Neemat Frem, MP Ghassan Moukheiber, former MP Dr Pierre Daccache, Michel Helou representing the former minister Michel Edde, the strategy consultant Dr Fadi Assaf,  Mrs Laure Doumit  & Mrs Hyam Boustany as well as religious leaders of several communities. Close friends of the two honourees also attended the ceremony as well as representants of their immediate families and their entourage.

Father Hady Aya, founder and president of the AJEM Foundation collaborates with the Spanish Embassy in Lebanon on several projects and organizes seminars as an expert of the Lebanese judicial and penal system, in partnership with several Spanish experts. In addition, Father Hady Aya has always cooperated with the Committee for the Abolition of the death penalty, chaired by Spanish Expert Federico Mayor Zaragoza.

 

Emile E. Issa, maintains a very close relationship with Spain, as part of his work with many international diplomatic institutions, of which the Spanish Embassy, as well as corporate groups, to which he provides his communications expertise, a field in which he’s a recognized professional. Mr. Issa’s collaboration with the Spanish Embassy developed in the context of several distinguished cultural events, that have been most successful thanks to his professional advice.

In her speech, the Ambassador Milagros Hernando Echevarria thanked Father Aya and Mr. Issa for their generosity and availability. She highlighted the efforts of Mr. Issa, which allowed the Embassy to improve its communications strategy and reach a wider and younger audience. The Spanish Ambassador Milagros Hernando Echevarria highlighted the essential role of human rights, in each project developed by the Father Hady Aya with the Embassy, as well as the growing admiration of his collaborators facing his perseverance and experience.

(More photos of the ceremony at bottom of page)