Mission
The UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Development and Environment at the University of Granada is dedicated to leading educational transformation in a dynamic and changing world. Recognizing education as a transformative force, our mission is to model adaptive educational systems that actively contribute to building an equitable and sustainable future. Aligned with UNESCO's strategic objectives on climate change, the Futures of Education initiative and the Social Transformations Management Programme, we are committed to forging a path towards a more just and sustainable world for current and future generations.
Vision
We aspire to be recognized as the reference Chair in the promotion of activities supporing inclusive and equitable quality education. We seek to be leaders in promoting permanent learning opportunities, as well as in generating knowledge, education and awareness about climate change. Our vision is to contribute significantly to the understanding of ethical implications for present and future generations, as well as encourage knowledge sharing and skills development in the digital age. We operate in accordance with the values and principles of the United Nations system.
Values
- Commitment to Sustainability. We are firmly committed to promoting practices and actions that contribute to environmental, social and economic sustainability, both in our activities and in the promotion of these values in the educational community and society in general.
- Inclusion and Equity. We value diversity and strive to ensure that our activities and programs promote inclusive and equitable education. We seek to reduce educational gaps and create opportunities for everyone, regardless of their origin, gender or socioeconomic conditions.
- Educational and Digital Innovation. We promote constant innovation in education and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the digital era to improve learning, develop skills and encourage the exchange of knowledge in a constantly evolving world.
- Global collaboration. We believe in the power of collaboration and seek to actively work with public and private institutions, non-governmental organizations, civil society and other UNESCO Chairs to achieve shared goals in the field of sustainable development and education.
- Ethical Responsibility: Guided by ethical principles, we take responsibility for our actions and promote ethical understanding of climate change. We seek to generate a positive impact on present and future generations, contributing to the construction of a more ethical, fair and sustainable world.
Joaquín Avilés López
With over 20 years of experience in infrastructure planning, project development, and Public-Private Partnerships, he served as Director of Operations of the Millennium Villages, a global partnership between Millennium Promise, The Earth Institute at Columbia University and the United Nations, managing a portfolio of 100+ Infrastructure Projects in the areas of, energy, connectivity, water and mobility across sub-Saharan Africa.
CEO of i4SD (Infrastructure for Sustainable Development), a social enterprise that designs, builds, and operates high-quality infrastructure solutions for sustainable development.
With an extensive trajectory in the International Public Sector, and has also experience in the Private Sector where he has managed the execution of several infrastructure projects. Before founding i4SD, Joaquin led the planning and operations at P3 Global Management, a global smart city infrastructure company, delivering innovative solutions to help cities become more sustainable and resilient. Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Granada in Spain, and a MSc in International and Public Affairs from the New School in New York.
Belén de Rueda Villén
Graduate in Sports Sciences from the Polytechnic University of Madrid. Doctorate in Sports Psychology from the University of Granada. She has been High School Professor and Professor at the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences at the UGR.
Vice Dean of International Relations, signing exchange and collaboration agreements with European and Latin American universities (Chile, Argentina, Chihuahua in Mexico, Havana in Cuba among others), in the field of Erasmus and Research Programs. Supervisor of 3 doctoral theses related to healthy lifestyle habits, as well as research in the field of corporal intelligence and emotional management.
Training Director of the Vice-Rector's Office for Equality, Inclusion and Sustainability of the UGR, in the 2019-2022 academic years. Coordinator of Study Plans in the European Higher Education Framework of the Faculty of Sports Sciences.
She currently collaborates with the Cívitas UGR Sustainability Chair, where a training itinerary based on transversal skills and emotional intelligence is developed as keys to the management of academic and personal life, aimed at students of the University and companies collaborating with the UGR.
This includes training and research actions on Sustainable and Healthy Living Habits. This line of work is aimed at the teaching staff, students and administrative and service staff of the UGR. Co-coordination of the training itinerary, personal, interpersonal management and sustainability of teams in the university environment, belonging to the Vice-Rectorate of Quality, Innovation and Undergraduate Studies of the UGR.
Collaborator at the Presentía Mindfulness Center, in the Mindfulness editions held in this Center for Integral Psychology, participating in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction programs and other programs for cultivating emotional balance.
Member of the Governing Board of Communication and Health Research Group. Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine, semFYC.
She participates in a Master of Mindfulness, Positive Psychology and Emotional Intelligence for professional interventions, at the European Institute of Positive Psychology and Universidad de la Salle in Madrid, with the aim of integrating training and research projects in collaboration with other Latin American Universities, within the framework of volunteering and International cooperation.
María García Pizarro
Passionate about doing things right with empathy and exercising collaborative and distributive leadership in which we all contribute, and together we are more.
First Deputy Secretary General and Director of the Technical Cooperation Agency of the Ibero-American Union of Municipalists - UIM.
Advisor to the International Development Cooperation Committee of the Spanish Congress of Deputies in the process of updating the Regulatory Framework and the International Development Cooperation System of the Government of Spain.
Member of the Advisory Council of the Latin American Federation of Cities, Municipalities, and Associations of Local Governments (FLACMA).
Member of the European and Latin American Experts Team, Quality of Urban and Territorial Planning according to the parameters of the Global Agenda and the 17 SDGs. CADIPAT_EUROPE URBAN POLICIES.
Member of the evaluation team of the Corporate Responsibility Program. Cooperantes CAIXA of the CAIXA BANK FOUNDATION in partnership with the TELEFÓNICA FOUNDATION.
Member of the Ibero-American Governance for Sustainability Laboratory. International University of Andalusia and the University of Huelva.
Member of the Sustainable Development Goals Classroom at the University of Granada with the participation of the GRANADA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, COVIRÁN FOUNDATION, AND CAIXABANK.
Collaborating Expert of the D'ALEPH BUSINESS GROUP managing Urban Agendas, Sustainable Urban and Territorial Development Strategies, and Local Economic Development Plans with a multilevel focus and fostering public-private partnerships.
José Antonio González Morales
Graduate in Economics and Business Sciences from the University of Granada. Senior Executive Program at ESADE (Madrid) and Executive Program, Innovative Management & Corporate at Babson College (Boston, USA).
He has developed a long professional career of more than 30 years in the financial system, Caja Granada, BMN, Bankia and Caixabank. During this period he has been director of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) area of BMN.
He also has academic experience as an Associate Professor in the Department of Business Organization at the University of Granada, and is currently a professor at EIG and ESIC Business and Marketing School (Spain), being academic director of the EIG Business Management Program.
