Four Haitian figures from science, law and civic life were honored in Italy on Saturday, October 24, at the closing ceremony of the tenth Lucius Annaeus Seneca International Academic Prize for Contemporary Literature, held at the Norman-Swabian Castle of Sannicandro di Bari, HaitiLibre reported.

The Senate of the Academy of Philosophical Arts and Sciences of Bari gave Professor Evens Emmanuel the title of Scientiae et Civilitatis Magister and the Cross of Academic Merit. A teacher-researcher at Quisqueya University and a member of Haiti's national agency for higher education and research (ANESRS), he holds the UNESCO Chair on water, hygiene and sanitation in schools.

Vanessa Clergé, a final-year student in agricultural and environmental sciences at Quisqueya University who works on peace and youth leadership, was named an Ambassador of Peace. Haitian American psychologist Marie Guerda Nicolas, a University of Miami professor and co-founder of Ayiti Community Trust, received the Laudis Charta distinction.

Lawyer Jean Baptiste Brown, a former Haitian justice minister registered at the bar for more than 46 years, was named Humanitatis e Iustitiae Magister. Professor Emmanuel dedicated his award to the Haitian university community, saying knowledge and research must remain common goods. The Education Ministry congratulated the four honorees.