Cabo Verde's Honors System Research Earns Two International Academic Awards
Jorge Cólogan, who has served as the representative of the Canary Islands Government in Cabo Verde for eight years and is a contributor to Expresso das Ilhas, has received two prestigious international academic awards for his research on Cabo Verde's honors system. He was awarded the Extraordinary Doctorate Prize from the International Doctoral School of the National University of Distance Education (UNED) for the 2024-2025 academic year, recognizing his doctoral thesis for its exceptional academic and scientific merit. Additionally, Cólogan received the Eduardo de Hinojosa y Naveros Prize 2026 for the best doctoral thesis in Historical-Legal Sciences. This award is presented by the Spanish Institute of Historical-Legal Sciences, the Alhama University Cultural Association, and Editorial Dykinson, honoring outstanding work in legal research. Cólogan's doctoral research also resulted in the book "Ordens, Condecorações e Medalhas de Cabo Verde," the first systematic study of Cabo Verdean award law. His award-winning thesis, "Ceremonial, protocolo y etiqueta de las Órdenes y corporaciones nobiliarias españolas," defended in December 2024 for a Doctorate in Law, analyzes the evolution of the national honors system using historical and legal documentation. This research contributes to understanding and valuing the country's institutional and legal heritage. Cólogan stated that the recognition from Spanish academic institutions highlights the international projection of research focused on Cabo Verdean realities, valuing a previously underexplored area of national legal historiography. He has been combining his academic pursuits with his role as the Canary Islands Government representative in Cabo Verde since 2018.
This recognition of research into Cabo Verde's honors system by Spanish academic institutions highlights the growing international interest in the legal and historical heritage of smaller nations. The awards underscore the value of systematic academic inquiry into national institutional frameworks, which can serve as a foundation for future governance and national identity development. The research's focus on ceremonial, protocol, and historical-juridical aspects suggests an effort to codify and legitimize national symbols and traditions. In an era increasingly shaped by digital governance and globalized cultural flows, understanding and preserving the integrity of national honors systems becomes crucial for maintaining distinct institutional identities and fostering public trust. This work provides a precedent for similar studies in other jurisdictions seeking to document and revitalize their own unique institutional histories.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.