The city of Córdoba experienced a week of intense work focused on university coexistence and the protection of rights. Within the framework of the Second Europe-Latin America Exchange of Best Practices, three academic activities brought together specialists from Bolivia, Honduras, Chile, Portugal, and Argentina at the Virtual Campus Building of the National University of Córdoba (UNC). The atmosphere of each day combined analysis, debate, and a strong commitment to building fairer and more respectful university spaces.

The first activity was the workshop “Conflict Analysis and Transformation,” led by Miguel Francisco Jiménez Canido from the Private Technological University of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. From the outset, Jiménez presented a simple yet powerful premise: that conflicts are a natural part of life, and the key lies not in avoiding them, but in learning to understand and transform them. Her explanation of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) allowed participants to examine everyday practices that often exacerbate tensions, such as labeling, imposing, judging, and ridiculing, while also understanding how a change in our communication style can pave the way for dialogue. The workshop was practical, with real-life case studies and exercises that led participants to consider conflict not as an isolated problem, but as an opportunity to improve institutional coexistence.

Later, the workshop “Guide to Good Practices for Strengthening University Coexistence,” coordinated by Claudia Bustillo Banegas of the National Autonomous University of Honduras, took place. The focus was on creating safe and healthy environments on campuses. Discussions covered emotional well-being, the need to build consensus, and the importance of strengthening ties between students, faculty, and administrative staff. Several participants highlighted the usefulness of having clear guidelines that set the course and help university ombudsman offices work in coordination with other departments.

The final activity of the day was the panel “Student Ombudsmen and Best Practices: Experiences and Research,” moderated by Ricardo Morales Ulloa (Francisco Morazán National Pedagogical University, Honduras). Julio Torres Hurtado, Coordinator of the Student Ombudsman’s Office at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and Jorge Antonio Ribeiro Pereira from the University of Beira Interior in Portugal presented their views. Both shared different models of ombudsman offices, but with the same underlying principle: to ensure that students have a place to turn to when they face doubts, conflicts, or situations where their rights are violated. Their presentations showed that, although each university has its own path, the challenges are surprisingly similar throughout the region.

As the meeting progressed, it became clear that universities, even those from different contexts, grapple with very similar concerns, including how to foster a positive learning environment, how to prevent conflicts before they escalate, and how to protect the rights of those who are part of their communities. The dialogue between countries broadened perspectives and built bridges that will continue to enrich collaborative work.

The activities in Córdoba were not just a series of workshops; they were a reminder that university ombudsman offices can be engines of change when they are built on listening, clarity, and a commitment to human dignity. With this edition, the Second Meeting of Best Practices reaffirmed its objective: to promote more peaceful, more equitable universities that are more aware of the impact their decisions have on the lives of the people who live and work within them.