In her acceptance speech of the Doctorate, Mrs. al-Assad said: I stand here today in this cultural exchange, proud to accept this doctorate in archaeology, Honoris Causa, not only on my own behalf, but on behalf of my country, and on behalf of the people who have inhabited this land from the earliest flowering of those essential human attributes: " culture," " society" and " civilization." I am proudly grateful for the dedication of the Italian and Syrian archaeologists, who have worked at this site for forty years and have enabled Syria's contributions to advancements in archaeology and its role in history to be fully recognized.

Fourth Thousand years ago. When human civilization was in its infancy, Ebla was one of the only a handful of urban centers that dotted the world, acting as an engine of economic growth and social development drawing people from the countryside. Today, it is a significant archaeological site and a priceless part of Syrian heritage. In the near future, it is poised to become a rural community reinvigorated, economically and socially, by the presence of Ebla archaeological park, a project that meets two important objectives: historical and archaeological research and preservation, and rural regeneration.

In Syria today, the pressures of high population growth and accelerating urbanization are beginning to be felt. The divergence between the quality of urban and rural living is coming into sharper focus, with potentially damaging social and environmental consequences. We have a high proportion of young people whose needs in the area of education, social services and employment in the coming decades will pose a challenge. The development of our rural areas will play a vital role in meeting this challenge. This project will ensure that the historic importance of Ebla is preserved, and at the same time play an important role as a center for rural development and tourism. Projects like this illustrate how developing countries can conceive and implement effective and sustainable solutions that galvanize economic growth. I am grateful to the University of Rome " La Sapienza" for the role they have played in helping us in Syria realize one such solution, right here in Ebla.

It was on a visit to Rome two years ago that the plans for the Ebla archaeological Park were made real in partnership with La Sapienza. It has been my privilege to work closely with this venerable university's Faculty of Human sciences in seeing through Phase 1 and 2. The camaraderie we have experienced is based on more than a shared project and shared objectives, but on what Ebla has exemplified to all of us; the importance of a collaboration of cultures, even as the tides of history appear to be sweeping in the opposite direction- towards a clash of culture.

Through the lens offered to us by findings at Ebla and elsewhere, we can see both the continuity of " culture," as well as the distinctiveness of " cultures." What we do with this knowledge is, of course, up to us. My own fervent hope is that we use it to foster mutual respect for what human societies have achieved over the millennia across the globe. Above all, that it leads to the understanding that there are many different paths to development and enlightenment.

Yes, the world is smaller place. Today, inter- cultural exchange spreads far and fast on the wings of technology. That means we -- as producers, as consumers, as countries, and as people -- are for more involved in what happens in other countries. Societies and cultures. The sustainable development that could be achieved by Ebla archaeological Park is not merely a barrow economic goal, it is part and parcel of a process of mutual understanding that has been taking place across the world and over the centuries, wherever cultures meet.

As citizens of the emerging global community -- world city, if you will, with as many variations as can be found in any thriving metropolis -- we all have something to teach, and something to learn from one another.

It is a great honor for me to be awarded an honorary doctorate in archaeology for the development of historical and archaeological studies and the preservation of Syria's cultural and historical heritage, from the prestigious University of Rome " La Sapienza," a renowned seat of science, learning and humanity. I am particularly proud to receive this honor in Ebla and grateful to the distinguished professors who have travelled here especially to ward me this degree. I thank the University of Rome and hope that this occasion will be an important juncture in our joint efforts and mark a qualitative leap in Syrian- in Syrian- Italian relations.

" Today is the first time in the history of the University of Rome " La Sapienza" that we move out of our city to give a Doctorate " Honoris Causa.," said professor Guiseppe D' Ascenzo, Chancellor ( rector Magnificus) of the University " La Sapienza" of Rome after awarding Mrs. Asma al-Assad. He added: " Our tradition in fact imposes that the ceremony must be carried out inside the city of Rome, but we consider Ebla as part of our University and the first lady of Syria as the most important friend of " La Sapienza." So, we decided for the first time to change a 700 year-old tradition," he explained.

Paolo Matthiae, dean of the Faculty of Human Sciences and professor of "archaeology and history of art of the ancient near east" said the Syrian Arab Republic has since its foundation itself, a tradition of independence and objectivity which is unanimously acknowledged in the world. The generosity and liberality of the cultural authorities of Damascus are well known in the community of scholars for the opening and encouragement to archaeological research in a territory which is, for its antiquities, among the richest in the world.

He added in a statement to Arabic News that he has been working in the wonderful archaeological site of Ebla since 40 years. He indicated that Ebla is one of the most important discoveries of the second half of the 20th century, adding that the great success of Ebla discovery happened because of the extraordinary co-operation between the University of Rome and the Syrian Directorate of Antiquities and Museums. He said that the University of Rome appreciates very much the Syrian government for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage of Syria, which is one of the richest countries of the Mediterranean Sea in cultural heritage.

He added that with the attribution of Mrs. Asma al-Assad of the Doctorate of honor, the university of Rome wants to officially recognize the high merits of this cultural policies at the highest levels, adding "we consider very important the objective, independent and active cultural policies that are patroned and coordinated by her Excellency Mrs. Asma al-Assad. He said that the University of Rome with this Doctorate of honor considers to have a new base of closer cooperation relations between Syria and Italy on every level from culture to politics. He indicated:" All of our countries are strongly interested to maintain a dialogue between civilizations and people of the Mediterranean Sea. " Matthiae concluded by saying:" We strongly support the perspective of a future just and comprehensive peace." Prof. Pelio Fronzaroli, member of the excavation mission in Ebla said in a statement to Arabic News:" I have been working in Ebla since 1965. I am studying the tablets found at the Royal palace." He added that in this year, new tablets are found at the site and are deciphered.

Highlighting the occasion, he said it is a great event for both our mission and the Syrian authorities, because it stresses the cultural relationship and co-operation between Italy and Syria. He continued "as you have seen, we are preparing Tel's Mardikh's archaeological park, hoping that the visitors from Syria or foreign tourists can understand the importance of the building and the civilization we have discovered here."