The Faculty of Languages ​​at the National University of Córdoba (UNC) became a meeting point where students from various Latin American countries could see, hear, and recognize themselves in their shared challenges. A discussion was held there to reflect on the role of students in defending rights and building a more just, participatory, and humane university life. The event was part of the 2nd Europe-Latin America Exchange of Best Practices, a forum that seeks to strengthen the work of university ombudsman offices and promote a culture based on respect and active listening.

The discussion, titled “University Ombudsman Offices and Student Rights,” was coordinated by Emilio Olías Ruiz, former Ombudsman of the Carlos III University of Madrid and general coordinator of the Bravioo Project. Representatives from the University Federation of Córdoba (FUC), student delegations from various countries, and institutional figures such as Ana Yukelson, Ombudsman of the University Community at the National University of Córdoba (UNC), joined the event. Yukelson provided firsthand insight into the local functioning of the ombudsman’s office.

The panel was moderated by student coordinators Maximiliano Chirino (UNC), Sofía Rodríguez Azcona (UNNE), and Carlos Bustamante Galdames (UFRO–Chile), who fostered an atmosphere of trust in which students felt comfortable speaking openly. Romina Fedurquevich, president of the University Federation of the Northeast (FUNNE), participated virtually, while Constance Keegan, president of the FUC, attended in person, further enriching the diversity of perspectives.

The topics that emerged reflect the most pressing concerns of contemporary university life: the need for real and accessible mechanisms to defend rights, the lack of information about the role of student ombudsmen, the urgency of promoting student participation that is not merely symbolic, and the importance of building campuses where there is no place for discrimination, symbolic violence, or practices that harm students. Mental health was a recurring theme throughout the discussion; students agreed that they need more spaces for support, emotional containment, and institutional assistance, especially in a context where academic, social, and economic demands directly impact their well-being.

The discussion also revealed that, beyond the differences between universities and countries, there are common concerns across the region. The lack of information about support services, the doubts and fears surrounding reporting abuse, and the distrust of institutional channels are recurring experiences. Even so, it was also clear that there is a collective will to move toward more democratic, more sensitive, and more open universities.

One of the aspects most valued by the participants was the opportunity to speak on equal terms with students from other countries, to share experiences, and to compare realities. This exchange made it clear that regional cooperation is not just a diplomatic intention, but a concrete tool for strengthening university ombudsman offices and designing student policies that truly respond to everyday needs.

The final reflection was marked by a broad consensus that university ombudsman offices are essential spaces for ensuring listening, mediation, and guidance, but their effectiveness also depends on the active commitment of the student body. Without their participation, any institutional change remains incomplete.