During the event, Martín Perez, Mayor of Río Grande, emphasized the significance of holding an international forum of this scale, describing it as “a space for dialogue and discussion in defense of a territory rich in natural resources, full of challenges and opportunities for development, and home to a biodiversity that is unique in the world.” He also highlighted the key role universities play in the care of the Common Home, stating that “these institutions generate ideas, conduct research, and develop the ability to collaborate with policymakers while also educating the population.”
Meanwhile, Archbishop Marcelo Colombo of Mendoza stressed the importance of integral ecology and community development, as well as the role of the Church in these efforts. He noted that “from our place of service, we seek to be instruments of dialogue and encounter.”
Strengthening Networks with Other Universities
The Salesian University of Argentina actively participated in the forum through its Rector, Fr. Guillermo Tanos, who, on Thursday, February 20, led a roundtable discussion at the Salesian Mission of Río Grande titled “Higher Education, Care for the Common Home, Peacebuilding, and Sustainable Development.”
In his address, Fr. Tanos explained: “Salesian education, just as it did 150 years ago when the first Salesians arrived in Patagonia, continues to play a key role in shaping new generations committed to socio-environmental justice. Participating in this forum is an opportunity to strengthen collaboration with other universities and reinforce our commitment to the future of these territories.”
At the forum, UNISAL reaffirmed its commitment to integrating territoriality and marginalized areas as part of its identity, promoting an academic model that engages in dialogue with local communities and fosters a “circular construction of knowledge” that emerges from interaction with society. In this context, Fr. Tanos warned against the risks of an isolated academia and emphasized the importance of territories as spaces of resilience and intercultural exchange.
Through its active participation in the International Forum “Territories of the Future: South Atlantic and Antarctica”, UNISAL reaffirmed its commitment to higher education that, rooted in territorial engagement, contributes to a more just, sustainable, and inclusive future.
Source: Don Bosco Sur
