Barcelona (ES), Thursday 16 November 2023
Diversity in modern society – Making inclusion a central strategy in our universities

In our multi-cultural societies, there is a richness of ideas, preferences, customs and viewpoints. This offers endless possibilities for learning and growth. However, sometimes political and economic factors overshadow the opportunities that diversity brings with it. Universities can play a crucial role in countering this trend, and ensuring that such opportunities are recognised and that the potential of diversity is fully realised. But, are universities prepared to go ‘that extra mile’ towards diversity and inclusion?
We invite you to explore diversity and inclusion in higher education (HE) during our forthcoming SMILE Final Symposium in November!
The SMILE Symposium, organised by eucen with the project consortium, will be followed by the 2023 eucen Autumn Seminar. These events aim to give visibility to the way universities are (or should be) addressing diversity and inclusion, and celebrate the growing importance and relevance of the third mission of universities and the role that lifelong learning (LLL) plays in this context.
Contributions have been accepted. The authors of the strongest abstracts will be be competing for one of the SMILE Awards on Diversity 2023!
Do not miss the opportunity to hear the presentations from peers on diversity and inclusion. You can learn from them and share your views on the work they have done.
If you are interested in the topic of diversity and inclusion and you like the work that SMILE has developed, send us a letter of support!
Venue

This is a full face-to-face event. The Fundació Solidaritat Universitat de Barcelona is hosting this symposium in their premises:
Campus UB de Sants
carrer Melcior de Palau, 140
08014 Barcelona
The venue is very easy to reach by train “Renfe” (stop: Sants Estació), Metro (stop: Sants Estació for L3 and L5) and many buses (27, 78, 109, 115, D40, H10, V5, V7).
Registration
Participation in the SMILE Symposium is free, however, all participants are required to register in advance. The registration process is now closed. We are sorry we cannot accept more participants.
To ensure that the event can be held in the most sustainable manner and to avoid any unnecessary food waste, please inform us by email at events@eucen.eu if your plans change and you wish to cancel your participation. We thank you in advance for your collaboration.
Let’s make a better world together!
Programme
08:45 |
Registration (Ground floor) |
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09:15 |
Welcome to the University of Barcelona (Sala Valverde, ground floor) |
Montse PUIG – University of Barcelona (ES) |
09:30 |
Presentation |
Carme ROYO – eucen (BE) |
09:45 |
Panel Session presented and moderated by: Emmanuel ACQUAH. Åbo Akademi University (FI) (Sala Valverde, ground floor) |
Presenters:
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10:30 |
Parallel sessions (3 groups)
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Moderators:
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11:20 |
Coffee break (Hall in the -1 floor) |
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11:50 |
Summary from the Parallel sessions by the moderators (Sala Valverde, ground floor) |
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12:10 |
SMILE Awards 2023 on diversity and inclusion in higher education Awards presented by the external Jury member: Pat DAVIES (independent expert) (Sala Valverde, ground floor) |
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12:30 |
World Café – Explore the SMILE tools
Session introduced and moderated by Isabell GRUNDSCHOBER. University for continuing education Krems (AT) (Hall in the -1 floor) |
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13:30 |
Lunch (Hall in the -1 floor) |
After lunch the SMILE Final Symposium will merge with the 2023 eucen Autumn Seminar to create synergies. If you are interested in diversity and inclusion, you might want to extend your stay and register for the 2023 eucen Autumn Seminar as well. Follow this link to do so.
14:50 |
Opening and Welcome to the new arriving participants Summary of the main ideas from the World Cafe by the moderators of the “corners” (Sala d’Actes. Floor -1) |
Beate HÖRR – JGU (DE) |
15:20 |
Dialogue between researcher and practitioner Session introduced and moderated by Kirstin SONNE, University of Edinburg (UK) (Sala d’Actes. Floor -1) |
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16:30 |
Open floor for discussion, questions and comments Session moderated by Kirstin SONNE (Sala d’Actes. Floor -1) |
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17:00 |
Closing of the day (Sala d’Actes. Floor -1) |
Carme ROYO – eucen |
17:15 |
Networking Cocktail (Hall in the -1 floor) |
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20:00 | Symposium Dinner Restaurant Abrassame Les Arenes. Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 373 – 385. 08015 BARCELONA |
Images by Freepik
Event organised by eucen in collaboration with Fundació Solidaritat UB and University of Barcelona on behalf of the full SMILE consortium



Scientific committee
- Camilla FITZSIMONS, Maynooth University (IE)
- Carmel BORG, University of Malta (MT)
- Kia LUNDQVIST, University of Turku (FI)
- Pat DAVIES, external expert and Jury
Organising committee
- Carme ROYO, eucen
- Montse BELTRAN, eucen
- Cati JEREZ, Funcació Solidaritat UB (ES)
- Angels CERDÀ, Funcació Solidaritat UB (ES)
For questions about the event, please send your messages to events@eucen.eu
All eucen events are regulated by the eucen General Terms and Conditions for Participants in eucen Conferences and events. By attending eucen events you agree with these terms and conditions.