On 25 May, the Palace Hotel in Barcelona hosted the ceremony to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Institution of Humanitarian Merit, which recognised the values, social commitment and humanitarian work carried out by more than 20 social, cultural and charitable figures.

Among the awardees was Dr Lluís Giner, dean of the Faculty of Dentistry at UIC Barcelona, who was awarded the Grand Cross of Humanitarian Merit.

With a degree in Medicine and Surgery, Dr Giner has more than 40 years of experience in the professional practice of dentistry, is dean of the Faculty of Dentistry of UIC Barcelona, president of the National Conference of Deans of Spanish Dental Schools and member of the Federation of Dental Schools of Latin America and Spain (FIEFO).

Dr Giner is not only a leader in professional practice, but he has also promoted numerous social responsibility initiatives with the aim of helping the most vulnerable patients and those at risk of social exclusion. A clear example is the collaboration agreements established between the University Dental Clinic (UDC) of the University with different city councils and humanitarian organisations; the collaboration with the organisation Invulnerables led by Sister Lucia Caram, the participation in the Edugascar solidarity project or the trip to Melilla with bachelor’s degree students to offer oral-dental care and oral health prevention to patients of the Temporary Stay Centre for Immigrants (CETI), within the framework of the Social Dentistry course taught by Dr Giner in the Faculty.

The Institution of Humanitarian Merit is recognised by the Ministry of the Interior and was created in Barcelona in 1999 with the mission of annually awarding social, cultural and charitable figures who have consistently demonstrated their concern for humanitarian work and human values.