The rector of the Iberoamerican University Mexico City, Dr. Luis Arriaga Valenzuela, SJ, stated his views on the crisis of human rights, violence, justice and security in the country, the democratic challenge in Mexico and Latin America, and the role of universities as spaces for debate and reflection. . about the problems that plague us as a society.
During an interview with Mario Campos, host of the program Radar, in Ibero 90.9, Arriaga Valenzuela confirmed that in the democratic issue it is necessary to rehabilitate the system of control and balances of power, as well as to respect the autonomy of the governing and audit bodies. What the Anglo-Saxons call balance checking ”.
Another important challenge is to strengthen the mechanisms of transparency, accountability and the frontal fight against corruption to eradicate impunity. “It is very clear that corruption in all its forms, regardless of political identities, must be combated, and the incentives and power structures that promote impunity in Mexico must be broken down,” he assured.
He highlighted the role of Ibero as a critical and proactive voice, a place where topics such as democracy can be addressed. “It is necessary to reiterate the attitude of our University to promote dialogue and debate in these types of spaces. I think it will be important to have this public forum so that these issues can be debated “, he said, saying that” the role that universities should play today is to support initiatives aimed at a better country to build, aimed at the general welfare ”.
According to the human rights crisis, the rector set out several issues of concern. To begin with, security, an area in which he has been working for several decades and which, from his knowledge, requires a comprehensive policy on civil security and the fight against crime.
He said that the human rights they must be at the forefront of this problem and understand that the root of violence is not just the cause of organized crime, “but of the deep gaps of structural inequality that persist in our society”, despite the discourses that from different areas. .
The doctor in Education for Social Justice added that we need to move from a penal scheme and focus on reintegration, forgiveness and reconciliation, “but it’s not easy because we have a collapsed legal administration and enforcement system. I have it first hand experienced, because my career was also in the effective defense of human rights based on paradigmatic issues that made visible the structural shortcomings of that legal system. “
Another issue that needs to be analyzed is the use of the armed forces in security tasks. In this case, the rector pointed out that instead of reducing the levels of violence, human rights violations have been increased, therefore it should be remembered that public order and civil security should be based on a preventative approach. and whose duties are to be reserved for civilian police forces.
“The role of universities like the Ibero is to generate reflection and build pedagogies around a different security paradigm that puts people at the center of the debate,” so, he said, a discussion based on scientific knowledge should be promoted. issues of, among others, security, violence and justice.
Discuss the issues of public life
Asked about the role of higher education institutions in a context of polarization in different fields, Luis Arriaga He said the university should be understood as “a space where all the issues affecting public life in Mexico, Latin America and the world can be discussed.”
He pointed out that among his wishes is that the Ibeoa American University“” in addition to being the best place to study, where students receive training that prepares them for this diverse and changing world in which we live; it helps to strengthen the abilities of our teachers and researchers and give them energy so that they can do exactly this. problems What does Mexico have?
For this, it is necessary that there are interdisciplinary intersections to address these major problems of teaching, research and outreach, “which are the three substantive tasks of the university”.
Hence, the universities that Jesus company is called upon to contribute to the transformation of society and to be supportive institutions to defend the human right to quality education, which is accessible to all, especially to people who have traditionally been excluded from education.
Luis Arriaga Valenzuela recalled that the Ibero has several projects in which different actors of the public administration participate at different levels, as well as with civic organizations. “Then, the role that universities should play today is to support initiatives aimed at building a better country, focused on the common interest.”
To sum up, the Jesuit rector pointed out that “the role of universities today, public or private, is to have a critical voice, which expresses its thinking, its research, its contributions in public, especially when the rights of people and communities are at stake.most vulnerable communities.
Your five priorities
Dr. Luis Arriaga, who a week ago took over as rector of the Universidad Iberoamericana Mexico City for the period 2022-2026, shared the five priorities that will govern his administration: comprehensive human excellence; social impact; internationalization and interculturalism; strengthens the Ignatian identity, and efficiency and sustainability.
“My dream is exactly that our students, graduates and graduates have an influence on changing situations of inequality that have worsened in the world due to Covid-19 and to problematize all aspects of life to understand it. and, where appropriate, to transform “them”, that is, to accept themselves as agents of social change.
In the academic institutional part and the teaching role, he said that he will seek to expand ties with other universities through exchanges and encourage the academic and research staff to enrich initiatives, projects and perspectives in a critical and creative way, but above all inserted into the social reality of Mexico and the world.
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Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx