At the closing ceremony of the 14th edition, Velázquez praised suitability of the event to debate, reflect and analyze current and future trends in the actions of universities in their national and global context.

Velázquez also stressed that higher education worldwide is an indispensable engine for human development for its contribution to peace, poverty eradication and sustainable development through the management of its substantive processes.

He pointed out that in the current international context, the challenges the education faces are even greater to achieve the social transformation necessary for the fulfillment of the 2030 Agenda.

For such a reason, Velázquez added, higher education institutions must rethink themselves as innovative and inclusive educational centers, capable of promoting knowledge and practices based on the principles of Education for Sustainable Development and Education for Global Citizenship.

“Higher education can also be an effective way to foster a culture of peace and brotherhood among peoples in order to prevent different tragedies including the one currently occurring with the Palestinian people,” he said.

The Cuban Deputy Minister acknowledged the work of all those deeply involved in the event and urged national and foreign delegations to attend forthcoming edition.

pll/lam/mks