22 January 2015
Bilbao Campus
In 2015, DeustoForum celebrates its 25th anniversary and to mark the occasion, the University organised a commemorative act which involved the participation of speakers from past years such as Basque President Iñigo Urkullu or Bilbao Mayor Ibon Areso in addition to some future speakers such the General Deputy for Biscay José Luis Bilbao, who will take part next 23 February.
The Rector of the UD, Jose María Guibert, took part in the commemorative act together with the president of DeustoForum, Jose Luis del Val, and other former presidents such as Roberto Pascual (1989-1992), Alejandro Martínez Charterina (1994-1999), Javier Elzo (2000-2011) and Juan Echano (2011-2014). Esperanza, the daughter of the deceased president Juan Churruca (1992-1994) also took part.
During these 25 years, the Forum has held a series of 30 conferences in which 375 speakers have taken part. Among the guest speakers, there have been politicians (presidents, former presidents, ministers, consultants, members of parliament...) of every political ideology, entrepreneurs and social and religious agents (cardinals, the superior general of the Jesuits, bishops,... ) mainly Catholics but also Muslims, Buddhists... People from every continent and language have participated, faithful to the principle of respecting the diversity of culture, language and thought.
The Forum has also analysed our immediate reality: The Basque Country, Europe, Latin-America and the rest of the world. Some of the topics addressed include: Politics, Society and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Human Rights, European Construction, other countries, other cultures and ways of life, Science, Culture and Sport, the Basque world and its culture, Education, Jesuits across the world, Religion, Peace and reconciliation and the meaning of life.
The University of Deusto created DeustoForum in 1989 as a space for thinking and discussion. A place where opinions can be debated openly with a high academic level. Its guiding principles have been willingness to consider any useful ideas for society, their rigorous presentation, critical analysis and open discussion, all within an environment respecting the pluralism of today’s society.
