President Ignacio Sánchez calls for dialogue to solve global issues
The UC | Chile Inauguration Ceremony of the Academic Year 2022 was held face-to-face after two years of online broadcasting due to the pandemic.
photo_camera President Sánchez giving at the he Inauguration Ceremony of the Academic Year 2022 at UC Chile. "We see that the only way is dialogue, talking with those who think differently, to move forward in our differences," he said.
About 230 people gathered in the Juan Francisco Fresno Hall to attend the Inauguration Ceremony of the Academic Year 2022 at UC Chile.
It was held face-to-face after two years of online broadcasting due to the pandemic.
Members of UC Chile's Leadership Council; authorities of the Ministry of Education; presidents and representatives of other universities; directors of foundations and corporations linked to the university; teachers, officials, alumni and students attended the ceremony.
In addition, the event was broadcasted via the official YouTube channel of the university.
The ceremony started with a mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Santiago and Chancellor of the UC Chile, Monsignor Celestino Aós, followed by a speech from President Ignacio Sánchez.
In the first part of his speech, President Sánchez celebrated the return to face-to-face attendance of the entire university community and the importance of continuing with the self-care measures inside the university campus.
President Sanchez also reflected on global issues like climate change, the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, asking for more openness and dialogue to solve those topics. "We see that the only way is dialogue, talking with those who think differently, to move forward in our differences. The dialogue and collaborative work encounter will finally lead us to stabilize changes in social coexistence," said UC Chile's foremost authority.
The work inside the Constitutional Convention, a body that is drafting a new Chilean constitution, was also analyzed in the discourse. "Crucial days and weeks are coming for the Constitutional Convention's work," President Sanchez stated. "A period in which –above divisions– dialogue, agreements and a broad and inclusive look at the country's needs must prevail."
Even if the vast majority of the constitutional issues are relevant, topics like the right to life and the dignity of the person, religious freedom, education and freedom of teaching, the right of indigenous peoples and sustainability are of special interest for UC Chile.
Progress on interculturalism
In the second part of the address, President Sánchez recognized the progress in areas like interculturalism –noting that there are currently more than 1,500 students, 50 professors and more than 200 professionals, administrative staff and workers from diverse Chilean indigenous groups– and in the arts and culture, where UC Chile has strengthened its contribution of bringing art closer to society.
An example of this is the recently inaugurated exhibition "Violeta inédita", which showcases several works of author and poet Violeta Parra.
Also, the donation of Vicente Huidobro's artistic patrimony, which has been given on loan to the university for its conservation.
This ceremony also hosted an awards ceremony:
- The Artistic Creation Award was awarded to professor Álvaro Viguera.
- UC | Chile Spirit Award to student Cristóbal Palsson.
- Teaching Excellence Award (PRED), was presented to 28 professors from different faculties.
