Justice, security and well-being in cities: the focus of the second UNIC Thematic Conference

The University of Deusto took part in the 2nd UNIC Thematic Conference: Institutions in Transition: Justice, Security, and Well-Being in Post-Industrial Cities, which was held from 17 to 19 June at Koç University (Istanbul). Over the course of these days, the event brought together specialists from across Europe to reflect on and discuss how different institutions can adapt to shifting urban realities and manage tensions between inclusion and exclusion and how collaborative and innovative approaches can support urban futures that promote equity and well-being.

During the opening session, the UNIC alliance paid a moving tribute to José María Guibert, the late former Rector of the University of Deusto, who played a decisive role in bringing Deusto into this network. 

Building on the legacy of its commitment to the Alliance, the university attended this event with a multidisciplinary delegation comprising the Vice-Chancellor for Research and International Relations, Javier Arellano, members of the UNIC team and a prominent delegation of our research staff.

Deusto’s contribution to this conference was twofold. On the one hand, at an organisational level, the university played a key role in the design of the event and within its Scientific Advisory Committee. On the other hand, at an academic level, a group from Deusto’s research community took part in various panels and workshops, presenting the results of their research. Offering solutions with a distinctly humanistic focus and social impact, the scientific delegation includes presentations by Jazmín Marie Algarín, Susana Cormenzana, Felipe Gómez Isa, Leire Gordo, Leire Iriarte, Ainhoa Izaguirre, María López, Mafalda Matías and Idurre Mendibil de Errazti. Furthermore, the students representing Deusto’s student community, Jule González and Lucía Marijuan-Requeta, acted as discussants to stimulate discussion during the sessions.

Alongside the scientific programme, this conference included sessions on governance. The participation of institutional teams in these sessions serves to strengthen synergies with partner universities and foster relationships.