News
On Tuesday 6 May H.E President Daniel Noboa Azín of Ecuador delivered the Canning Lecture. In his lecture he touched upon his commitments and aspirations as he looks ahead to his second term in office.
Before the President took to the lectern, Jeremy Browne, CEO of Canning House, explained our work as the leading forum for UK-Latin American relations. He was followed by the Honorary President of Canning House, Lord Mountevans, who recounted the illustrious history of the Canning Lecture.
The first Canning Lecture was given in 1997 and has been traditionally delivered by a President or Head of Government from Latin America or Iberia. President Noboa is the third Ecuadorian President to give the lecture, having been preceded by Rafael Correa and Guillermo Lasso. Other notable Canning Lectures featured Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, and Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico.
President Noboa opened his speech by touching upon the historic relationship between the UK and Ecuador, with the former helping the Latin American country gain its independence in the nineteenth century.
He turned to his own history and recounted his journey to the presidency. At the heart of it, the President emphasised, was his commitment to working with communities to build a brighter future. Of particular importance to President Noboa was the plight of the youth population of Ecuador, and he assured listeners that he was working to improve young lives, and restore their sense of hope.
Democracy was at the forefront of the lecture, and President Noboa committed to strengthening, and protecting the democratic order in Ecuador. He spoke of a war in the country, alluding to the internal violence that his administration is tackling. The President was certain that significant advancements were being made, and that he would be able to bring peace, happiness, and democracy to the people of Ecuador.
Ending his speech on a hopeful note, the President drew attention to the importance of being understood as a nation by a wider audience. He signed off by imploring the audience to “visit us [Ecuador], believe in us, as much as we believe in ourselves”.
Baroness Hooper, an Honorary Vice President of Canning House, delivered the closing remarks, in which she thanked the President for his inspiring vision of the future. She reflected on her life in Ecuador, the beautiful country that it is, and her hope that the President can return its sense of peace.
Canning House is grateful to H.E President Daniel Noboa Azín for delivering the Canning Lecture and wishes him the very best for his Presidency.
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