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Ceremony of the 96th Anniversary of the creation of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History (PAIGH)
Dr. Patricia Solís (USA), the President and MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales (México), the Secretary General of this international organization, presided over this event.
The ceremony was held in hybrid mode. The PAIGH Authorities, the Presidents of the National Sections of the PAIGH and active participants in its four commissions, members of the diplomatic corps in Mexico, representatives of academic institutions and scientists, the editors of the PAIGH scientific journals, contributors and friends of the Institute were present at the event.
At the reception, Dr. Patricia Solís, and MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales, accompanied by his distinguished wife, Mrs. Verónica Ireta Badillo, welcomed the attendees to the Palace building headquarters of the PAIGH.
In her speech, Dr. Solís looked back and recalled the time when the PAIGH was born, which was crucial for the following year; she contrasted the situation at that time with the current period, in which the Institute continues to become strengthened as a legacy for future generations: “We hope that, in another 96 years, they will look back and value our commitment”.
She emphasized the fact that 2024 was a watershed for significant progress in the fulfilment of the Pan-American Agenda, which extends up to the year 2030; this same agenda is aligned with the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
For his part, in words provided by MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales, he commented that both the Presidency and the General Secretariat of the PAIGH, are already working on the organization of the celebrations of the Centenary of this noble Institution, to take place in the year 2028.
He also pointed out the necessary work that is being done by the General Secretariat for the fulfilment of the objectives contained in the Strategic Modernization Plan of this institution for 2022-2025.
Inauguration of the Library for Periodic Publications
As part of the program for the 96th Anniversary of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History, the unveiling of the plaque for the inauguration of the “Héctor Oscar José Pena” library for journals, magazines and periodic publications took place.
In accordance with Resolution N.º 15 of the 24th General Assembly (Santo Domingo, 2023), the President and the Secretary General PAIGH presented this important emblem dedicated to a space that holds the history of the PAIGH through the collections of its publications edited and issued over the 96 years of its history. In the same way, it holds geographic charts of its Member States.
The name of the library of periodic publications is dedicated to an enthusiastic and untiring Argentine contributor, Professor Héctor Oscar José Pena, who has provided his services to the PAIGH for over five decades; during this time, he has been President, an outstanding President of the Geography Commission and, simultaneously, editor of the “Geographic Journal” of the Institute; he updated and maintained that journal during that period. In addition, he is the author of the book “The PAIGH. A history of 90 years”, published in 2018, the reference book on the recorded history of this institution.
Gift for enriching the holdings of the Gallery of Historians and Geographers of America of the PAIGH
Continuing with the anniversary program, President, Dr. Patricia Solis, handed over a gift for the Gallery of Historians and Geographers of America of the PAIGH. The image of the scientist Rachel Carson (1907-1964), whose labor on behalf of humanity deserves this recognition from the PAIGH Member States.
The biologist, Carson, was outstanding for her ability to communicate science to the general public. Her masterpiece, “Silent Spring”, published in 1962, was a warning about the dangers of pesticides and their impact on wildlife and human health. This book marked the start of the modern environmental movement and led to major legislative changes in the United States of America, included in the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Her scientific knowledge and the various books that she wrote about the importance of nature, the ecosystem, the sea and the land, which have become successful in international sales, awoke the conscience of a generation and established Carson as the reliable voice of science of her country.
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Visit of staff of the “Miguel Hidalgo” Municipality of Mexico City
MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales and BA. Sergio Martínez Torres, Secretary General and the Personal Secretary of the PAIGH respectively, received, at the Palace headquarters building, the members of the staff from the Miguel Hidalgo municipality, Erick Bocardi, Sub-director of Community Services; Israel Salazar, Head of the Youth Response Unit, and Diego Frías Suárez, of the Area for Social Re-integration. In the interest of continuing the task of improving the links of cooperation between the PAIGH and the Miguel Hidalgo municipality, this being the territorial unit where the General Secretariat of this international organization is located, special emphasis was given to taking actions aimed at benefiting the younger population that makes up part of the community.
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Work meeting with the National Section of El Salvador and the INEGI
MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales, PAIGH Secretary General, met in virtual mode with representatives of both the National Institute for Statistics and Geography (INEGI) and the National Section of the PAIGH in El Salvador.
On behalf of the INEGI, those present were: María de Lourdes Hermosillo Plascencia, Head of the Department of Monitoring and Oversight; Víctor González González, Sub-Director of Operations and Cadastral Oversight, Héctor Eduardo Aguayo Muñoz, Sub-Director of Technological Development, Eufracio Zavala Corral, Sub-Director of Photogrammetric Processing and Carlos García Dorantes, Sub-Director of Operations and Bilateral Affairs. Representing the National Section of El Salvador, Albertina de Aguilar, President, Mónica Escobar, Vice-President and Marta Polanco, Manager of Territorial Information all attended the meeting.
This work meeting had as its background a request from the National Section of El Salvador to receive advice and updates required for continuing with its major tasks of service to its country.
In the spirit of service, the PAIGH acted as link between the institutions indicated here, with the aim of responding to the specific needs involving territorial information and photogrammetry. The National Section of El Salvador presented these same points during the meeting; the INEGI of Mexico, most generously signaled its willingness to assist, which makes clear and evident the Pan American friendship that unites these three institutions.
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57th Anniversary since the start of the Treaty of Tlatelolco at its Signing
The 57th Anniversary of the signing and start of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean was commemorated. This treaty, better known as the Treaty of Tlatelolco, prohibits nuclear weapons in our lands, seas and subsurface. The Secretary General of the PAIGH, MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales, stated his congratulations on the anniversary of the OPANAL, to Ambassador Flavio Roberto Bonzanini, its Secretary General.
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Visit to the Embassy of Peru in Mexico
The Secretary General of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History, MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales, was received by Councilor-Minister Mr. Julio A. Reinoso, at the offices of the Embassy of Peru in Mexico.
The two representatives held a pleasant conversation; for his part, the Secretary General of this institution stated the interest of this organization in encouraging the participation of scientists and specialists of Peru in the various areas of development that it offers: Cartography, Geography, History and Geophysics, through the Technical Assistance Program (projects), grants, awards and publication of articles in its specialized journals, both digital and printed.
These approaches and contacts of the PAIGH with its Member States, have the objective of strengthening relations with them and encourage and support scientific research to the benefit of the nations of America.
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Ceremony of the 90th Anniversary of the assassination of the General of Distinguished Men Augusto C. Sandino
BA Sergio Martínez Torres, in representation of the Secretary General of the Pan American Institute of Geography and History, MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales, attended the 90th Anniversary ceremony of the assassination of the General of Distinguished Men Augusto C. Sandino, held at the Higher War School in Mexico City.
During the event, BA Martínez stated, to his Excellency Mr. Juan Carlos Gutiérrez Madrigal, Ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua en Mexico, the willingness of this international organization to set up closer links for scientific cooperation with this Member State.
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Periodic work meetings
The work meeting with the staff of the General Secretariat of the PAIGH was chaired by MA. Antonio Campuzano Rosales, the Secretary General; BA. Sergio Martínez Torres, the Personal Secretary and Mr. Norberto García Castelo, of the Technical Assistance Department. Progress was made as planned in the alignment of the various procedures of the PAIGH to the statutes in force, complying with the policies for action in accordance with the Strategic Modernization Plan of the PAIGH from the present administration.