The University hosts until the 25th the XI meeting between Spanish and North American Universities. A total of 106 people, from 50 institutions from both countries, are participating in the congress, organized by the high school of language and Spanish Culture (ILCE) of the School of Philosophy and Letters of the academic center and the association of North American University Programs in Spain (APUNE).

The opening ceremony was presided over by Rosalía Baena, Vice President of Students of the University of Navarra. It also included speeches by Ignacio Messana, president of APUNE; Justen Thomas, cultural attaché of the U.S. Embassy in Spain; Alfonso Gentil, director of the Spanish Service for the internationalization of the Education (SEPIE); Juan Cruz Cigudosa, Minister of University, Innovation and Digital Transformation of the Government of Navarra; and Enrique Maya, mayor of Pamplona.

In his speech, the president of APUNE thanked the work that Spanish and American universities have made in recent years with students participating in their programs, especially during the pandemic, as well as the administration and representatives of the Navarre society. For his part, the cultural attaché of the U.S. Embassy in Spain has highlighted the work of Spain to promote international outreach and the reception of U.S. university students. "Spain is a leader in the exchange of students with the United States and we want to continue favoring the relationship between both countries".

Navarra, the community with the most international students

In his speech, the director of SEPIE has highlighted the role of the administrations to favor the exchange of knowledge in the Education higher education: "The benefits of the internationalization are countless, it influences all levels of society and contributes to the understanding between peoples and to the advance towards a model of development sustainable and equitable". An affirmation that has shared the counselor Cigudosa, who has remembered that Navarre is one of the Communities with one of the highest percentage of population with higher programs of study , "data that ratify the work of our universities", and the one that has more international students. "As a Government, we have the obligation to build bridges, so that knowledge and talent flow naturally".

This was followed by the Mayor of Pamplona, who expressed the need to train "citizens with values, committed and eager to lead processes of social transformation", as promoted by this meeting. Finally, the Vice President thanked APUNE and the participating institutions for the role they play in promoting "an excellent training , both academically and culturally and staff". 

Under the degree scroll "Interdisciplinary learning and sustainable development : Education transformative and social commitment in study abroad programs", these conference seek to rethink the programs, courses and curricula offered by APUNE members and associates, in order to encourage young Spaniards and Americans to commit to language, culture, the environment and the social and economic impact of their activities. Thus, during the meeting and the work sessions, in which representatives from institutions such as Florida State University, Stanford University, Boston University, Duke University, or The George Washington University, among others, have participated, topics such as the promotion of culture and the environment in study abroad programs, the promotion of intercultural awareness, or service learning have been addressed.

Founded in 1968, APUNE is the oldest association in Europe dedicated to meeting the needs of American programs. It also seeks to deepen and promote the intellectual, academic and cultural exchange between Spain and the United States.