His Excellency Ambassador Otto Federico von Feigenblatt, distinguished scholar and diplomat, has been invested as a knight of the Sovereign and Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta in a solemn ceremony presided over by His Eminence Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The Mass was held on the afternoon of November 15, 2024.
His Excellency Ambassador Otto Federico von Feigenblatt is the Andean Parliament Special Envoy for Education, Head of the House of Feigenblatt, and Extraordinary Professor of Educational Management at the Catholic University of Murcia, visiting professor of education at the University of Southampton, and Dean of Global Affairs-Latin Division at Keiser University. Ambassador Otto Federico von Feigenblatt holds a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Ritsumeikan University of Asia Pacific (Beppu, Japan), a master’s degree in international development studies from Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok, Thailand), a doctorate of philosophy in conflict analysis and resolution, and a doctorate of education in higher education leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He also holds two graduate certificates and a master’s degree in liberal arts from Harvard University in social justice, international relations, and anthropology, respectively. He is the author of more than one hundred academic articles and multiple academic books.
He is an academician of the Royal Academy of Financial and Economic Sciences of Spain, the Royal Academy of Doctors of Spain, the Royal Academy of Sciences, Fine Letters and Noble Arts of Cordoba, the National Academy of History of Mexico, among many others. His international work in the field of education and diplomacy has been recognized with important distinctions such as being knighted by King Felipe VI with the Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic, and by the Holy See with the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He has received the Medal of the Senate of the French Republic for his service to education and international development and has been awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of President Arosemena by the Ministry of the Interior of Panama. He has received more than fifteen honorary doctorates for his contributions to the social sciences and has served as ambassador and deputy permanent observer to the United Nations and as a consultant to more than 20 countries.
The House of Feigenblatt has distinguished itself for its dedication to education. Among his many projects in the field of education and international development is the “Ambassador Otto Federico von Feigenblatt” Interuniversity Lecture Series for Peace, Development, and Education, which organizes conferences and summits in various countries to connect educational leaders from all over the world. The House has organized events in prestigious places such as the United Nations Headquarters, the Harvard University Club in New York, the Legislative Assembly of the Republic of Ecuador, the Headquarters of the Andean Parliament, among others.
Members of the House include several former heads of state, university presidents, diplomats, and prominent figures in the field of education. Among the members who have received the collar of the House are His Excellency Dr. Borja Cevallos, Former President of Ecuador, His Excellency Dr. Rosalía Arteaga, Former President of Ecuador, His Eminence Cardinal Luis Cabrera Herrera, Archbishop of Guayaquil, His Excellency Monsignor Luis Javier Argüello García, Archbishop of Valladolid, His Excellency Monsignor Héctor Cubillos Pena, Bishop of Zipaquirá in Colombia, among many others.