The historical building of the Universitat de València hosted the second encounter of the European Women Rectors Association (EWORA). The workshop, entitled Envisioning the Future of Higher Education: Expectations, Opportunities and Challenges for Leadership, which has been postpone twice as result of the COVID-19 pandemic, had round tables, plenary sessions, debates, workshops and much more. This reunion has promoted the debate about new leadership in higher education.

The 60 participating women rectors from Europe could enjoy the opening remarks of the EWORA president Gulsun Saglamer; the Delegate of Equality Policies of the Crue; the rector of the University of Huelva, M. Antonia Peña; the board member of the Permanent Comittee of Crue and rector of the Universitat Jaume I, Eva Alcón; and the president of Crue-profesorado, rector of the Universitat de València and hostess of the event, M. Vicenta Mestre.

Next, the participants listened and reflected on the contributions of the President of the Consell de Estado and Women For Africa Foundation, M. Teresa Fernández de la Vega; the Secretary of the State of Investigation, Carmen Vela; and the women rector of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, M. José Filgueras. Their conferences where about the promotion of gender equality as a university value, and policies for a better and more effective gender equality in a post-pandemic world.

On the second day took place the debate and work sessions which contemplated questions like: how to improve and diversify the European universities leadership, how to ensure better opportunities for women to access leadership positions, how to create financial opportunities for gender equality, among other subjects.

Besides the scientific aspect, the encounter made the most of the space of La Nau building. The participants got to know the Universitat de València history through the spaces of the historical building. They also had the opportunity of visiting the living museum, the Botanical Garden, with the Colla de Dolçainers i Tabaleters of the UV.

Also they got to know the history of the city in the visit to the Valencia City Hall. Where they were received by the Education Councillor Maite Ibañez and went to the Glass Hall, the hemicycle and the historical archive. As farewell, in a day marked by heavy rains, the Tuna (a group of university students in traditional university dress who play traditional instruments and sing serenades) with students from the Faculty of Law and The Faculty of Sciences offered a performance at La Nau building.