From November 4 to 6, we participated in the Salamanca Forum 2026, organized by the University of Salamanca to mark the 500th anniversary of the School of Salamanca. We were the only academic institution from Valencia invited to this international gathering, which brought together representatives from 16 universities in 11 countries to reflect on the humanist legacy of the School of Salamanca and the major challenges currently facing education, science, and international cooperation.
Our Director General, Rafael Jordà, represented GAIAS Europa at this event alongside Diego Quiroga, Rector of the University of San Francisco de Quito (USFQ). This participation allowed us to be part of important institutional milestones and to open new avenues for collaboration between universities on both sides of the Atlantic.
The event coincided with the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the beginning of Francisco de Vitoria’s reflections at the University of Salamanca on human dignity, the rights of peoples, and relations between nations—ideas that laid the foundations for modern international law. Five centuries later, this legacy continues to provide a framework for addressing such relevant issues as innovation, artificial intelligence, education, and international relations.
USFQ Receives the Escuela de Salamanca Medal for Internationalization
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the University of Salamanca Medal for Internationalization to the University of San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), an award granted by the University of Salamanca in recognition of the university’s academic achievements, its international focus, and its contribution to scientific research—particularly for its outstanding work in the Galápagos Islands.
This recognition also highlights USFQ’s European reach through GAIAS Europa. From Valencia, we work to strengthen the Ecuadorian university’s international presence and foster opportunities for academic, scientific, and business collaboration between Europe and Latin America.
As our Executive Director, Rafael Jordà, has noted, this recognition reflects the importance of GAIAS Europa as a platform connecting USFQ with the European community, fostering new opportunities for cooperation between the two continents.
An agreement to promote cooperation between Salamanca, Quito, and Valencia
Our participation in the forum was accompanied by another significant development: the signing of a framework agreement for collaboration between the University of Salamanca, the University of San Francisco de Quito, and GAIAS Europa.
This agreement lays the groundwork for developing joint initiatives in the academic, scientific, and knowledge-transfer fields, while also strengthening ties between institutions in Spain and Latin America.
Among the areas of collaboration outlined are the development of shared academic programs, student and faculty exchanges, research stays, and the launch of projects in partnership with companies and institutions on both continents.
Furthermore, the agreement opens the door to new forms of cooperation, such as joint degree programs, microcredentials, doctoral tracks, and internationalization initiatives at home.
With this agreement, we reinforce our commitment to facilitating connections between universities, researchers, students, and organizations, creating opportunities to share knowledge and develop projects with an international scope.
António Guterres, Honorary Doctorate from the University of Salamanca
Rafael Jordà, Executive Director of GAIAS Europa, and Diego Quiroga, Rector of the USFQ, also attended the ceremony conferring an honorary doctorate on António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, from the University of Salamanca.
The ceremony linked the thought of Francisco de Vitoria with the current defense of multilateralism, highlighting four principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter: human dignity, international law, communication among peoples, and the limitation of war.
The event underscored the enduring relevance of the humanist legacy of the School of Salamanca and its connection to the major challenges facing international relations today.
Valencia as a hub connecting Europe and Latin America
Our participation in the 500th anniversary of the School of Salamanca represents a new step in GAIAS Europa’s mission: to connect Latin America, Europe, and the United States through education, science, and business.
From Valencia, we work to build bridges between academic institutions, researchers, students, and businesses, fostering the exchange of knowledge and the development of joint initiatives with an impact on both sides of the Atlantic.
Being the only academic institution from Valencia invited to the Salamanca Forum 2026 also represents an opportunity to further strengthen Valencia’s international profile as a hub for encounter and collaboration between Europe, Latin America, and the United States.
We continue to advance our mission of forging connections that transcend borders and lead to new opportunities for cooperation, research, and training.
