The Chair of Social Responsibility of the Valencian Regional Government at the University of Alicante, the Calpe University Campus and the consulting firm Lankoa held the second edition of the SAVE International Conference (Sustainability, Action, Volunteering and Environment) on 23, 24 and 25 October, an event that has established itself as a space for transfer, collaboration and action around sustainability, science and citizen commitment.
During the three days of the conference, 27 experts from nine national and international universities (Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador) participated, along with representatives from eight collaborating companies and six NGOs, who shared their reflections, experiences and best practices in the areas of sustainability, social responsibility and ecological transition. In total, the conference brought together more than 200 participants, including in-person attendees, online participants and environmental volunteers.
The event combined a hybrid format between the Alicante Science Park, online sessions and the surroundings of the Peñón de Ifach Natural Park (Calpe), thus maintaining its vocation to connect academic reflection with direct action in the territory. During the official opening, the Vice-Chancellor for Students and Employment at the University of Alicante, Raúl Ruiz Callado, highlighted the value of the initiative as an example of cooperation between the university, business and civil society.
The closing ceremony was held on Saturday 25th in Calpe with a comprehensive environmental action that included the removal of marine waste from Brut de Ifac and land sweeps in Cala El Racó and Las Salinas de Calpe. Thanks to the collaboration of public administrations, universities, businesses, NGOs and citizens, more than a tonne of marine and land waste was removed, reaffirming the practical, participatory and transformative nature of the SAVE movement. The activities were part of a citizen science methodology, through the characterisation of waste and environmental awareness about the conservation of coastal ecosystems.
Although the reforestation initiative planned in Tarija (Bolivia) had to be postponed due to heavy rain and hail, it will go ahead in the coming weeks in collaboration with local partners. Information and results from this initiative will be shared on the official Instagram account @save.the.movement, reinforcing the international and ongoing nature of the movement.
KNOWLEDGE, PARTNERSHIPS AND COMMITMENT
Throughout the academic sessions, topics such as environmental education, energy transition, the circular economy and social innovation were addressed, highlighting experiences that show how cooperation between science, business and citizens can accelerate sustainable transformation. The conference also addressed the gap between awareness, science and action, emphasising the need for scientific knowledge to be translated into transformative actions and concrete solutions to current socio-environmental challenges.
The directors of the conference, Josep Tur Vives and Iker Jimeno, gave a very positive assessment of the second edition, highlighting the capacity for collaboration among the different participating entities—from public bodies to companies and NGOs—and the strengthening of a network of alliances that will continue and resonate in the future. As they pointed out, ‘SAVE's main strengths are its power of collaboration, the synergy between diverse agents and its ability to turn knowledge into action. SAVE demonstrates that sustainability only advances if it is built collectively, bringing together science, social responsibility and citizen commitment.’
ORGANISATION
The 2nd SAVE International Conference has been organised by the Chair of Social Responsibility of the Valencian Regional Government at the University of Alicante, the Calpe University Campus and Lankoa, with the collaboration of universities, social entities, companies and public administrations committed to sustainability, environmental education and volunteering. The conference also reflects the University of Alicante's commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, reaffirming its role as a key player in the socio-environmental transformation and progress of the province.