Manuel Guillén, professor of Business Organisation in the Faculty of Economics of the UV, is one of the organisers, on Monday 4 April, in Boston, of the 4th International Colloquium of the IECO and the Real Colegio Complutense (RCC) of the University of Harvard. Among other experts, the scientist Donna Hicks will intervene.

On the part of the UV, the researcher Sergio Martínez will also participate. This is the first activity carried out after the signature of the agreement between the UV and the Complutense of Madrid, through which the UV becomes part of the Real Colegio Complutense in Harvard.

In addition to Manuel Guillén and Santiago Martínez, they will participate William English, of the Harvard University, who will be the moderator; Lynn Barendsen, graduate in Harvard; Frank Daly, of the Bentley University; Donna Hicks, of the Center for International Affairs (Harvard University); and Michael G. Pratt, of the Boston College.

The colloquium is aimed at bringing together the main scholars and professionals so as to analyse the best strategy to promote a work environment which brings the best in people, creating not only confidence but also success in the participating organisations.

The first IECO-RCC International Colloquium (2013) focused on ‘The role of ethics, values and dignity in the promotion of confidence.’ It was recorded and it is available in the YouTube channel of the University of Harvard. The second colloquium (2014) examined ‘The role of morals and the spiritual motivation in the promotion of confidence’ (also in YouTube). And the third colloquium (2015) was based in ‘The development of confidence and ethically healthy organisations through Humanistic Management.’

In the current context, where the employees are evaluated according to what they produce and how much they produce, their own evaluation and the assessment of their work may be carried out in terms of production, a risky approach which can damage the dignity of the employees. There is therefore the need to redefine the meaning of work, which does not depend only on criteria of efficiency and effectiveness.

The objective of this colloquium is to gather the main scholars and professionals to promote a dialogue on the topic of significant work, and to analyse how some companies and employees can look for the sense of their job in a difficult environment. As the central element of the discussion, experts will make people aware of the value of professional work, not only as a job or career, but also as an opportunity for personal growth.

The principals of the UV and the Complutense, Esteban Morcillo and Carlos Andradas, subscribed an agreement last December, through which the UV becomes part of the Real Colegio Complutense in Harvard. Established in 1990, the Real Colegio Complutense is the only centre in the world of these characteristics catalogued as World-Class Centre of Excellence by the Department of Education of the Spanish Government.

By virtue of the subscribed agreement, the UV reaches the recognition of ‘University Member of the Real Colegio Complutense’, which gives it right to participate in all the activities of this centre in accordance with its guidelines and academic procedures. Furthermore, the UV will be able to suggest educational activities for their fulfilment in collaboration with the Real Colegio Complutense.