● Borrell gave the inaugural lecture 'The European Union between wars and elections', which invites joint reflection on the consequences of armed conflicts
● For four days, the Campus will bring together other internationally renowned figures in La Laguna, such as neuroscientist Rafael Yuste and the former deputy director general for culture at UNESCO, Francesco Bandarin

The La Laguna City International Campus kicks off its training program dedicated to knowledge, culture, and global dialogue today with the opening ceremony, presided over by Josep Borrell, former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.

The launch event, held at the Teatro Leal was attended by representatives of the organizations promoting the initiative, including the mayor of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez; the rector of the University of La Laguna, Francisco Javier García; and the president of the CajaCanarias Foundation, Margarita Ramos.

The mayor of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, emphasized the importance of the Campus at a particularly significant moment for the city, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of its declaration as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. "This recognition not only endorses the historical and cultural value of our city center, but also challenges us to take on an active role as a space for thought open to the world," he stated. In this regard, he highlighted that one of the Campus's educational pillars is heritage, understood as a tool for social cohesion, collective identity, and international outreach. "There is no better setting than La Laguna to reflect on how our legacy can inspire solutions for the future," he concluded.

For his part, the Rector of the University of La Laguna, Francisco García, praised the launch of this academic initiative, conceived as a space for reflection that brings together a distinguished group of internationally renowned experts, "capable of delivering critical analysis based on knowledge and academic rigor." In this regard, he emphasized the wisdom of holding the Campus in a location like La Laguna, "a city designed for peace."

Likewise, the president of the CajaCanarias Foundation, Margarita Ramos, emphasized the privilege of having one of the "key figures in European politics," such as Josep Borrell, at the inaugural conference of the academic program. She also thanked the sponsoring entities, the academic committee, and the speakers who made this first edition of the Campus possible, reflecting their commitment "to culture, education, and free thought." Finally, she invited all interested parties to follow the streaming broadcast of the training content and join this "celebration of knowledge and culture."

Borrell then delivered his inaugural address, entitled "The European Union between Wars and Elections." In it, he reflected on the effects and challenges that armed conflicts pose in the contemporary world. Drawing on his extensive international experience, he offered a strategic vision of the role of Europe and the global community in the current context of war and international tension.

This activity marks the beginning of the training program of the La Laguna City International Campus, an initiative promoted by the CajaCanarias Foundation, the University of La Laguna, and the La Laguna City Council, with the technical coordination of the Fyde CajaCanarias Foundation. The program will run until July 31st in various locations throughout the municipality.

The Campus will bring together specialists from different disciplines in La Laguna, including architects, scientists, journalists, and researchers from prestigious national and international institutions. Of note, for example, will be neuroscientist Rafael Yuste, who will give the closing lecture on Thursday, July 31, at the Teatro Leal, and former UNESCO Deputy Director-General for Culture, Francesco Bandarin.

Registration for in-person courses has been sold out for weeks, but all academic training sessions can still be followed online through the Campus streaming option, available during all sessions.

A training initiative of academic excellence

For this first edition, the La Laguna International Campus is designed as a space for academic and civic engagement that seeks to foster knowledge and reflection on current issues through a broad academic and cultural agenda centered around three thematic axes: the consequences of war, neuroscience and neuro-rights, and the value of heritage in the 21st century.

Over the four days of the event, some twenty activities will take place, including seminars, roundtable discussions, and conferences. With a marked international focus, this meeting space aims to establish itself as a forum for the exchange of ideas from a critical, humanistic, and global perspective.

A varied cultural agenda with exhibitions, screenings and concerts

This week's cultural program also includes a screening of the documentary "Daughters of the Holy Land" on Tuesday, July 29, in the University of La Laguna Auditorium, with a discussion with its director, Marcel Mettelsiefen, and its producer, Mayte Carrasco, moderated by Canarian filmmaker David Baute.

As the finale to this cultural program, on Wednesday, July 30th, Los Sabandeños will offer a concert commemorating their 60th anniversary at the Teatro Leal in La Laguna, with proceeds going to the NGO Paz En Construcción. Tickets for this event are already sold out.

It's also worth remembering that the two exhibitions on the Campus will be open until July 31st. One is "The Disasters of War. Photographs by Alberto Hugo Rojas," located at the CajaCanarias Foundation in La Laguna, and the other is "Written in Stone," open to the public in the plaza del Adelantado.

Tickets for the closing conference, as well as the documentary screening, are available free of charge and only require advance registration through this website.