Experts from 27 national and international universities participated on September 3 and 4 in an international symposium on Philosophy of the Education with the goal to reflect on the training of identity and the Education of character.

Concepción Naval, dean of the School of Education and Psychology of the University of Navarra and Professor José Antonio Ibáñez- Martín, of the International University of La Rioja, were in charge of inaugurating the meeting held at the campus of the University of Navarra in Madrid; in which a total of 84 professionals participated, giving lectures and presenting papers and communications. Among them were the professors of the School of Education and Psychology, Aurora Bernal, Dolores Conesa, and the researcher in training, Jorge Luis Villacís.

The symposium also featured four lectures at position by Professors Hanan Alexander, from the University of Haifa (Israel), Chris Higgins, from Boston College (USA), José Antonio Ibáñez Martín (UNIR) and Concepción Naval (University of Navarra). Professor Alexander gave the lecture 'Character Education and Liberal Democracy', while Professor Higgins focused on 'Renewing the Educational Imagination at Black Mountain College'. Professor Ibáñez Martín addressed topic 'Good Character and its Meanings', while Professor Naval drew 'The Horizon of Character Education '.

Among the conclusions of congress it was highlighted that "one of the most notable challenges is that the family should recognize as a priority the Education of character for the integral training of their children, seeking a necessary balance between the different dimensions of the person: intellectual, moral, civic and instrumental". This was pointed out by Concepción Naval, president of the symposium, and Juan Luis Fuentes, professor at the Complutense University of Madrid and Academic Secretary of meeting.

"There are several challenges for the Education of character today. Among them are some such as the possibility of converting academic discussion into educational practices at different levels; overcoming the threshold of rejection of certain terminologies such as the very concept of virtue, habit, and even good and bad, beyond right and wrong," the researchers add.

In the organization of this symposium, the University of Navarra has counted with the collaboration of the International University of La Rioja, the Complutense University of Madrid and the University of Seville, partnership . The participants in this symposium come from Europe (Spain, Italy and Portugal) and America (Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru).

The following link provides access to the complete conclusions and further information on meeting.