Msgr. Agripino Nunez Collado has received the 2005 Democracy Award, together with Senator Richard Lugar, for his contribution to the DR’s sociopolitical stability. El Caribe reports that the award was issued by the US International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES), which explained Nunez Collado’s selection for “his merits throughout three decades of contributions for the preservation of peace, upkeep of democracy, and his contribution towards Dominican education through the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra”. Dominican ambassador to the US, Flavio Dario Espinal, spoke in representation of the government and acknowledged Nunez Collado’s contribution to the advancement of local and regional democracy. Former US ambassador to the DR, Charles Manatt, described Nunez Collado’s capacity for arbitration during difficult moments in the country’s history. IFES President Richard Soudriette said that the public function was “an historic Dominican-American evening” as there were important personalities from both countries present.