The fourth meeting of the Ibero-American Network of University Ombudsmen (RidDU) was held at the Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal (UNFV) in mid-November 2024 in Lima, Peru.
RidDU is composed of 86 universities from (in alphabetical order) Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Spain, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Portugal. Their meetings are spaces for reflection and analysis, as well as for proposals that allow the establishment of collaborative work among university ombuds in Ibero-America.
The event was inaugurated by Dr. Cristina Asunción Alzamora Rivero, Rector of the UNFV, accompanied by Mr. Luis Alberto Matos Zúñiga, University Ombudsman of Villarreal; and Dr. Rodolfo Jesús Paz Fernández, Dean and Dr. Dante Jaime Haro Reyes, University Ombudsman of the University of Guadalajara, Mexico, coordinator of RIdDU, and member of the International Relations Committee of the European Network of Ombuds in Higher Education, ENOHE.
The overall theme of the conference was “The impact of Artificial Intelligence on Human Rights”. It encompassed the following panels:
- The RIdDU: background, importance and challenges.
- University Ombudsmen in Peru: general framework, actions and current situation.
The following discussion tables were held:
- Gender Equality and Equity.
- Culture of Peace and Peaceful Conflict Resolution.
- Problems of Rights and Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies.
- Ex officio complaints, reports and recommendations.
- Academic and Institutional Management Problems.
- Non-discrimination.
In conclusion, it was reiterated that the important work carried out by university ombuds in Ibero-America and the world, as responsible for ensuring the defense of the rights and freedom of the members of the university communities. This is constantly being consolidated, thus strengthening the ombuds’ space and mission in the university system.