Dear members of the Una Europa community,

May these words extend to you the warmest and most heartfelt welcome to Universidad Complutense de Madrid. We are delighted that our institution is on this occasion the venue for the celebration of the General Assembly of our European Universities alliance – a project we have been enthusiastically and diligently building together since 2019. We are aware of our responsibility and role in the consolidation and promoting European values, particularly among the young. Grounded in human rights, the rule of law and participatory democracy, constitute the path in the search for peace, well-being and global scale social improvement.

Like all enduring constructions, Una Europa needs to be built on solid foundations and with resilient materials, adaptable to diverse needs and the test of time. Through mutual respect and understanding, curiosity and patience, as well as persistent will and faithfulness to commitment, the building of our alliance is enabling us to jointly develop and disseminate new teaching and learning models as well as research initiatives, all in line with the rapidly evolving social needs to which we, as universities, must respond.

The outcomes are becoming increasingly visible in academia and permeating our communities. Following the seed projects sown with African universities, the time has come to explicitly broaden our dialogue with the Ibero-American community. This is reflected in the theme of this General Assembly: “Una Europa committed to the world: Europe and Latin America in Dialogue”. We are confident that this dialogue will establish enduring foundations for collaborative links with universities across the American continent.

At this point, it is my pleasure to announce the participation of:

• • Prof. Dr. Ricardo Jorge Gelpi, Rector, Universidad de Buenos Aires (Argentina).

  • Prof. Dr. Jhon Boretto. Rector. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina)

  • Prof. Dr. Carlos G. Carlotti, Rector, Universidade de São Paulo (Brazil).

  • Prof. Dr. Rosa Devés, Rector, Universidad de Chile (Chile).

  • Prof. Dr. Carlos Araya, Rector, Universidad de Costa Rica (Costa Rica).

  • Prof. Dr. Leonardo Lomelí, Rector, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico).

  • Prof. Dr. Karla Planter Pérez, Rector, Universidad de Guadalajara (Mexico).

  • Prof. Dr. Mirko Varano, Vice-Rector for Internationalisation, Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico).

  • Prof. Dr. Julio del Valle Ballón. Rector, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Peru).

  • Prof. Dr. Jeri Gloria Ramón Ruffner de Vega, Rector, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (Peru).

  • Prof. Dr. Héctor Cancela. Rector, Universidad de la República del Uruguay (Uruguay).
    
    

With the joy of the beginning of our collaboration with the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world, and with the conviction that this General Assembly will strengthen our achievements and advance the realization of ongoing initiatives, I extend my best wishes for productive and enjoyable days in the city of Madrid.

Joaquín Goyache Goñi. Rector