Presentation & programmes
Universities, as social actors in the public sector, must have a social dimension and go beyond teaching and research activities. Universities must get involved in society and contribute responsibly to its social, cultural and environmental development.
Hence, Pompeu Fabra University has implemented a series of actions and programmes to ensure equal opportunities and to promote health, sustainability and solidarity that involve the entire university community. The Vice-Rector's Office for Social Responsibility and Promotion aims to promote and coordinate actions to preserve the environment and promote equality, inclusion and cooperation.
Along these lines, in October 2012 UPF created the UPF Social Responsibility Programme to carry out a joint strategy, and in June 2013 the Vice-Rector's Office for Social Responsibility and Promotion was created, which undertakes the coordination and supervision of the programme. After 7 years, taking into account that there have been changes in the definition of the programmes and that new needs and challenges have been identified related to sustainable development in its three dimensions (economic, social and environmental), and in order to improve the management of the Programme, changes required making to the definition of the Programme and how to manage it. In addition, continuing along the lines of the changes, in 2017 a new name was given to the associated vice-rectorate becoming the Vice-Rector's Office for Social Commitment and Equality Projects.
In February 2020, the Social Commitment and Sustainable Development Programme was created (repealing the 2012 resolution) to carry out the joint strategy of actions developed around the principles of equal opportunities, cooperation, comprehensive health, and sustainability. Regarding management, the programmes that make up UPF's Social Commitment and Sustainable Development Programme are assigned to different units and services:
- The Rector's Office is assigned the management, coordination, promotion and evaluation of UPF's Social Commitment and Sustainable Development Programme and of the University Cooperation Programme for Development and Solidarity (UPF-Solidària), in coordination with the different services in accordance with the terms provided in the plan itself.
- The Equality Unit is assigned the management, coordination, promotion and evaluation of the Isabel de Villena Equality Plan (UPF-Equality), in coordination with the different services in accordance with the terms provided in the plan itself.
- The Office for the Prevention of Occupational Hazards and Health Promotion, which reports to the Human Resources and Organization Area, is assigned the management and coordination of action plans and programmes in the area of health promotion for the university community.
- The Area of Economic Resources, Recruitment and Property is assigned the management, coordination, promotion and evaluation of the Environmental Sustainability Plan (UPF-Sostenible), in coordination with the different services in accordance with the terms provided in the plan itself.
- The Services, Technology and Information Resources Area is assigned the management, coordination, promotion and evaluation of the Inclusion Plan (UPF-Inclusió), in coordination with the different services in accordance with the terms provided in the plan itself.