09 May 2025
Bilbao Campus
Xabier Etxeberria Mauleón has been named the recipient of the 2025 Eusko Ikaskuntza–LABORAL Kutxa Prize, an award that has recognised outstanding academic careers in the fields of Humanities, Culture, Arts and Social Sciences since 1995. The selection process involves not only the two awarding institutions, but also representatives from the seven universities within the geographical area of Eusko Ikaskuntza and from Musikene – the Higher School of Music of the Basque Country.
Born in Arroitz-Arróniz in 1944, Etxeberria holds a PhD in Philosophy and is Professor Emeritus at the University of Deusto. Throughout his career, he has taught subjects including Philosophical Ethics, Ethics in the Legal Professions, Ethics in Anthropology, and Ethics in Social Work.
A thinker and social activist with a long-standing, fruitful and deeply rooted career, Etxeberria’s commitment to understanding collective identities through the lens of ethics and human rights has been a central theme in both his teaching and public engagement. His work in defence of the human rights of Latin America’s Indigenous peoples, particularly through the Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute at the University of Deusto, has been especially noteworthy.
A lifelong advocate for peace and non-violence, he has played a significant role in fostering dialogue and reconciliation, grounded in the recognition of the unjust suffering endured by victims of violence in the Basque Country. This commitment has seen him participate in Gesto por la Paz and Bakeaz – the Centre for Documentation and Peace Studies, where he led the Education area. He has also contributed to the development of a programme centred on hearing and acknowledging the testimonies of victims, including the “Adi-adian Educational Module” (formerly “Victims as Educators”) and the “Restorative Encounters” initiative of the Basque Government’s Directorate for the Care of Victims of Terrorism.
A third group to which Etxeberria has dedicated significant attention is people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He has played an active role in Plena Inclusión, a movement focused on supporting, advising, and researching the rights of these individuals and their families.
According to the jury, Xabier Etxeberria Mauleón’s career stands out for two key reasons: the depth of his reflection, his intellectual rigour, and the moral clarity with which he addresses the ethical challenges of plural societies often shaped by conflict; and his civic commitment to social justice, human rights, and the living conditions of vulnerable populations – from marginalised communities to people with disabilities. His work bridges theoretical insight and practical action, both of unquestionable value.
Through both his intellectual work and active engagement, Professor Etxeberria Mauleón contributed to Basque society’s recognition of the central role of victims. This has influenced the development of public policies aimed at promoting dialogue and reconciliation between victims and perpetrators, complemented by broader social awareness campaigns. In this sense, he may rightly be described as a moral and intellectual beacon in the long process of rebuilding coexistence in the Basque Country.
For his academic, teaching and civic achievements; for his enduring commitment to social justice both within and beyond his country; and for the particular relevance of his contributions at a time when our societies are in urgent need of ethical renewal, the jury deems Xabier Etxeberria Mauleón a most deserving recipient of the 2025 Eusko Ikaskuntza–LABORAL Kutxa Prize.
