University of Concepción awarded Jean Monnet Center of Excellence

The University of Concepción has been awarded the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence designation, a prestigious international recognition that marks a significant milestone for academic decentralization in Chile. This achievement allows for high-level academic debate regarding global affairs and European politics to take place outside of the Santiago Metropolitan Region.

To celebrate this milestone, Dr. Cristóbal Bellolio from the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez delivered the inaugural lecture for the new center. During his visit, Bellolio discussed the resilience of Chilean democracy, the role of science in decision-making, and the tensions between immediate political urgencies and long-term climate crises. He also addressed risks such as affective polarization, security reforms, and the impact of disinformation on political coexistence.