One of the main references in the educational field at the national level was distinguished with the highest recognition from the UNR.

The prominent sociologist Emilio Tenti Fanfani received the title Doctor Honoris Causa of the Universidad Nacional de Rosario. In an emotional event held at the University Cultural Space, the pedagogue was also recognized as a “Distinguished Visitor” by the Municipal Council. 

Emilio Tenti Fanfani has a degree in Political and Social Sciences from the National University of Cuyo and Diplôme Supérieur d'Etudes et Recherches Politiques (Third Cycle of the Fondation Nationale des Sciences Politiques of Paris, 1968-1971). He is a consultant for the OEI (Organization of Ibero-American States) at UNIPE (Pedagogical University of the province of Buenos Aires) and works as a professor of Sociology of Education at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the UBA.

Born in Italy and naturalized Argentine, he is one of the most important references in the educational field, both in our country and in all of Latin America. He has published, among others, The school and the social question (2011), New topics on the educational policy agenda (2007), The teaching profession (2006) and The teaching condition (2005).

The rector Franco Bartolacci valued Tenti Fanfani's career and recalled his contributions to educational policy. “I want to thank you for helping us with a genuine commitment to thinking better: something as simple, beautiful and profound as that. In that gratitude we welcome you to our home.” 

Additionally, Bartolacci emphasized his genuine commitment to public education. “We always say that when an institution decides to honor someone, in addition to valuing their career, they are saying a lot about themselves. In that recognition we are highlighting that set of values ​​and principles, and what is the University that we are trying to build and aspire to be.”

Tenti Fanfani is a principal researcher at Conicet, and a teacher and researcher at various universities and research centers in Colombia, Mexico, France and Argentina. She has been a consultant for Unicef-Argentina and IIEP-Unesco for Latin America. 

The Director of the CEI, Darío Maiorana, recalled that in the bases of the requirements necessary to receive the highest recognition from the UNR, it is highlighted that one of the causes is due to the contributions of merit of the person in the progress of their specific field, as well as, in the defense of Human Rights. “Without a doubt, Emilio Tenti Fanfani's contributions were what motivated us as a University to give this recognition. The honoree's curriculum is very extensive and his contributions to the field of sociology of education are truly fundamental. 

Maiorana highlighted that Tenti Fanfani is an exponent of the Argentine Public University and a militant of the educational system of our country and the region. “He promotes an ethical vision of the educational system, and I believe that quality today takes on greater importance, because in many areas we hear again speeches that denigrate our public education and Emilio's work helps us put things back in their place.”  

Tenti Fanfani was very excited about the recognition and thanked the Universidad Nacional de Rosario for making it part of her. “I am going to use a phrase from Borges, because I think it represents me here: “It is easier to defend oneself from criticism than from praise.” This mobilizes me, I think it is necessary to thank the academic community that opened the door for me, and I think that all of us who went through the Public University share a collective feeling," and added: "Also to the Municipal Council, I did not expect this distinction ”.  

The new Honoris Causa Doctor of UNR gave a conference on the role of the school in the current context. “The correct question is: What can the school contribute to improve the situation of the weakest, to contribute to the growth of the economy, to the incorporation of new generations into the world of work, to the construction of a freer society, richer and fairer? The school is the most effective institution for the development of knowledge in the members of a generation, and it should be considered on that level.”

In the exhibition, he did not hesitate to distinguish the profession of the sociologist and his particular approach. “Just as biologists have microscopes, we have our research instruments: surveys, archival analysis, etc. This, and other techniques, allow us to build quantitative and qualitative data that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Believe me, from afar you can see things about school education that you cannot see from up close. That is what differentiates this job.”   

Journalist: Gonzalo J. García/Photographer: Karen Roeschlin