www.islandconnections.eu certified 1984-2018 102 €1.80 December 1 – December 14, 2018 Officially the largest foreign language newspaper in the Canary Islands 835 LA LAGUNA SOUTHERN EUROPE ORCAS INTERVIEW Acid attack Still slacking? Human traits? The Jacksons Page 7 Pages 10 & 11 Page 13 Page 14 MOST ADMIRED KNOWLEDGE CITY AFTER THE STORM €1.5 million in emergency aid Canaries wins MAKCi award On the third weekend of November, gigantic “Knowledge itself is power”, as sity, founded six years ago and waves rolled up to eight metres high towards the English philosopher Francis based in Tacoronte, regards Ten- the Canarian coasts, causing severe storm Bacon wrote in the 16th century, erife as a think tank from which damage, especially in Garachico, Tacoronte and the Canary Islands are com- new multidisciplinary impulses and the coastal areas of La Laguna. ing out on top for development for the economy, science and Fortunately, the damages were mainly mate- rial in nature. Only one person was injured, in this area. society emanate. Due to the HCM in Puerto de La Cruz, where a 70-year-old Knowledge is a common word, activities, high-ranking and expe- slightly injured his head and leg when a high sometimes transcribed as wis- rienced scientists, artists and wave at the lighthouse ripped him from the dom, which has lost none of its managers visit the island and pier onto the concrete blocks below. He topicality in the 21st century. The exchange their knowledge with was lucky and was rescued. The residents organisation World Capital Insti- counterparts in Tenerife and with of 67 apartments in the Mar y Sol building tute (WCI), which sees itself as the younger generation. in Mesa del Mar, Tacoronte were evacuated a large think tank, is also con- The renowned natural scientist and escaped unharmed, although on the first two floors of their building, the waves swept cerned with knowledge and how Alexander von Humboldt is a sym- away some balcony railings, smashed win- it can be used to develop regions. bol for understanding the world dow panes and seawater was able to enter Every year the institution distin- through different approaches and some of the lower apartments unhindered. guishes cities that stand out as therefore the namesake of the Mul- places of knowledge. This year, tiversity. “Next year will see two Continued on page two the Canary Islands are among anniversaries: Humboldt’s 250th those recognised. birthday and his first research “Every woman and every man is visit to Tenerife 220 years ago. I an island. With birth begins our consider Humboldt to be such an personal ‘island existence’. Each important universal scientist that Fernando Clavijo (r) accepts the award on behalf of the Canary Islands one develops his or her own intel- he could also be the namesake ligence, consciousness and iden- The celebration of the eleventh by its founder Dr. Günther Koch of this conference. He could be tity, which ultimately define us and international congress and the Most and Vice-President Rodrigo Trujillo defined as a ‘knowledge researcher’ are the greatest human capital”, Admired Knowledge City Awards González, lecturer at the Univer- according to current thinking,” said WCI President Javier Carillo (MAKCi) were brought to Tenerife sity of La Laguna, and the support explained Dr. Günther Koch. Local politicians inspect the level of damage in Garachico at the opening of this year’s award thanks to the commitment of the of the Canary Islands Government. ceremony. Humboldt Cosmos Multiversity, led The Humboldt Cosmos Multiver- Continued on page two 2 CANARY ISLANDS FOREIGN LANGUAGE NEWS 102 INTO THE FUTURE RESTORATION Sharing and caring Rainy day blues Continued from front page zil, Lund in Sweden, Nancy The Atlantic was also thundering once again at Garachico, in France, Britain’s Newcastle which suffered particularly badly. The coastal road was closed to traffic as it became a raging river. The Castillo upon Tyne, Manama in Bah- next to the natural swimming pools stood like an island in rain and Panama City to get the middle of the Atlantic floods. The municipal swimming the award - strong competi- pools and local football ground were severely damaged by tion indeed! the waves. On the Saturday evening at 10pm, 24 people For Canary Islands President had to be evacuated from a building in Calle Esteban Pons Fernando Clavijo, the award after the waves reached the elevator. Firefighters led the is recognition that in addition evacuation. Only a few hours later, at around 2am, they to strengthening tourism, were called back into action because in Calle Tomé Cano, strategies in other areas are waves had destroyed a third floor balcony. being sought and promoted. A total of 39 people had to leave their homes in Garachico Rafael Rebólo, Director of that night and were partly accommodated by family mem- the Astrophysical Institute of bers. The remainder were taken to the gymnasium for the the University of La Laguna, The three winners of MAKCi night. In Adeje in the south of Tenerife, the waves penetrated 2018: Canaries, Singapore highlighted the important the restaurant at a hotel in Calle La Lava, where several and Vancouver role of universities in devel- guests were having dinner. Two cars, one in Bajamar and opment and growth. In the another in Puerto de la Cruz, were washed into the sea. Continued from front page and respect, security, strong 8. Intangible assets are also Canary Islands there are two family structures and good considered. This means large universities, in Gran Damage limitation What does a Knowledge City external relations. the ability to impart knowl- Canaria and Tenerife, each need? 5. A focus on people as indi- edge and introduce innova- with an international reputa- Canary Island President Fernando Clavijo and Island Presi- viduals and assessment of tive support in all important tion. "The Canary Islands are dent Carlos Alonso gained an impression of the devastation The award recognises the how well they can develop areas of urban life. on a path towards social, eco- the following day walking through the scene of destruc- development of a city or region from a biological and psy- nomic and scientific devel- tion in Garachico. The damage there amounts to around in terms of eight factors: chological basis. Eleventh award ceremony - opment," he stressed. They €800,000. Among other things, the sewage treatment plant was affected and had to be immediately repaired and 1. It must have an identity of 6. The well-being of the human a Canary Islands’ success are on the way to establish- restarted. In Tacoronte and La Laguna, the material dam- its own, meaning the ability collective, which includes, ing themselves as a bench- age is currently estimated at €400,000 and €350,000 of a city or region to develop for example, health care, The three winners, who were mark in many ways. This was respectively. In view of the immense devastation involv- an urban personality. population development, honoured for their develop- also underlined by the partici- ing apartments, shops and public areas, President Clavijo 2. Intelligence - the capacity birth rates/percentages and ment as knowledge cities in pants, who came from many assured immediate aid amounting to one and a half mil- to anticipate and respond social security systems. 2018, were: Singapore in the different parts of the world, lion euros. “It’s our top priority to carry out the necessary appropriately to develop- 7. Instrumental-material devel- Metropolis category, Vancou- with a focus on business and repairs as quickly as possible so that everyday life can ments and events. opment, which includes the ver in the City/Region category research. More details about return to the communities affected” he stressed. Presi- 3. The ability to regenerate and development of a first-class and the Canary Islands in the the Canary Islands’ candidacy dent Alonso promised to include €400,000 in aid in the maintain a stable financial infrastructure using local Emerging City/Region cate- and the aims of the institu- 2019 budget. He also called for risk assessment to be car- situation. conditions, climate and geo- gory. The Canary Islands beat tion can be found on the ried out and for measures to be taken if possible so that 4. Healthy relationships, graphical location or cultural the nominees: Arequipa in www.worldcapitalinstitute. a similar scenario is not repeated. n including ethnic diversity heritage. 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