This meeting has served to share experiences, projects and perspectives on university chairs that work closely with the territory, putting in value the knowledge and the collaboration between university and society.

During the sessions has been highlighted the high transformative potential of institutional chairs as a tool to connect knowledge and the needs of territory and society.

This is the first of several conferences that will take place annually, alternating between the headquarters of the Inter-university Institute for Local Development (IIDL) in Castellón and Valencia. The IIDL is, in its broadest sense, a research and practical and theoretical centre in the field of local development. It is formed by researchers of the Universitat Jaume I and the Universitat de València, experts in the various dimensions of the concept of sustainable development, current policy implementation framework and development strategies of territory development on a local level.

In the programme have been established three thematic blocks that have addressed different areas of action of the university chairs with territorial approach.  The first one has focused on territory, public services and governance, allowing reflection about local public policies and the role of universities as collaborating agents in its formulation and development. The second one has focused on the economic and ecosystemic development dynamics, exploring innovative circular economy and sustainability models connected to local realities. The third block has focused on demographic challenges, such as depopulation and ageing, and the strategies to create territorial cohesion and improve living conditions in the most affected areas.

During the second block, professor Francesc Hernández of the Universitat de València has intervened as director of the Chair for the Transformation of the Economic Model: Circular Economy has presented basic lines of actions both in education and in research and dissemination, which are being carried out by the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Generalitat Valenciana (Valencian Government). In summary, it has as subject of study the elaboration of proposals, the promotion of knowledge and the dissemination of issues related to the circular economy perspective. Moreover, it aims to promote the transformation of the current economic model towards another one based on innovation, knowledge and sustainability from an environmental, productive and social point of view.

It should also be noted that, the Chair for the Transformation of the Economic Model: Circular Economy is part of a Network of Chairs for the Transformation of the Economic Model in which all the Public Universities of the Valencian Community are integrated. 

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