Study in Spain

【Faculty of Commerce and Tourism Holds Second Volunteer Fair】

On November 19, the Faculty of Commerce and Tourism at Complutense University of Madrid held its second Volunteer Fair. María del Rosario Cristóbal, Vice-Rector for International Relations, Cooperation, and Volunteering, along with Dean Francis Blasco, inaugurated the event, which attracted numerous students as well as representatives from institutions and NGOs. In addition to participating in a joint roundtable, the organizations shared information about their activities at booths set up throughout the day in the faculty’s main hall.

Vice-Rector Cristóbal emphasized that, in “challenging and difficult times” like the present, Complutense University remains committed to one of its most important activities: volunteering. She also announced that a new edition of the Complutense Volunteer Fair will take place next week, on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25, at the Somosaguas and Moncloa campuses. Events such as the faculty-level fair help ensure that “our support, assistance, and engagement reach different places.”

Dean Blasco highlighted that volunteering is a priority for the faculty and that this second edition was organized in response to high student interest. She described volunteering as synonymous with solidarity and outlined a three-step approach: self-reflection on one’s own advantages, developing empathy by understanding others’ circumstances and vulnerabilities, and channeling the help one wishes to provide. While volunteering can be done individually, she recommended participating through organizations that know how to maximize the synergies of collaborative work.

According to Jonatan Jair López Muñoz, the Dean’s delegate for Volunteering, the fair was made possible by the swift and positive response of the institutions and organizations contacted. The event, held under the motto “Connect, Participate, Transform!”, featured representatives from multiple organizations, including the Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation Area of the Spanish Youth Institute (INJUVE), the Spanish Volunteer Platform, the Directorate-General for Social Projects, Volunteering, and Cooperation of the Madrid Regional Ministry of Family, Youth, and Social Affairs, the Volunteering Department of the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, and Volunteering of the Madrid City Council, the Madrid Local Assembly of the Red Cross, the Committee to Support the Palestinian People Foundation, Fundación 26 de Diciembre, Solidarios para el Desarrollo, and the Complutense University Cooperation and Volunteering Service.

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