Yesterday the inaugural event of the Student Academic Conference (SAC 2025) took place at the Sant Cugat Campus. On the theme of this year's conference, “Caring for society in times of conflict”, lecturer Xavier Garí, historian and member of our university's Faculty of Humanities, gave the opening address. The speech focused on the nature of conflicts and the way to manage them. “Conflicts are not solved; they come to us to learn how to manage them,” said Garí, who stressed the need for a new perspective that includes the non-violent management of the conflict.

Garí explained how conflicts are an inherent part of the human condition and that, far from seeking their elimination, the key lies in learning to manage them in a respectful and non-violent way. During his speech, he stressed the importance of questioning the information we receive in order to be able to understand the facts with a critical and pluralistic view. According to Garí, this capacity for discernment is essential to maintain an informed society capable of overcoming current challenges.

The event included a question-and-answer session where students had the chance to share their concerns and discuss topics such as peaceful conflict resolution, the impact of the media on public perception and one's responsibility in creating a healthier social environment.

Since 2010, UIC Barcelona has organised this annual student congress, run by the students themselves, which promotes the search for truth as part of the University's identity and intellectual habits.