The RED/TUPAZ was presented during the meeting of UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks of Spain, held at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on 11 and 12 December, under the theme “Knowledge // Action // Territory”. The event served as a space for reflection and dialogue on the current challenges facing higher education and on the impact of the knowledge generated by UNESCO Chairs in key areas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on climate action.
The presentation was delivered by Professors Javier de León Ledesma and Carmelo León González, Co-Director and Director, respectively, of the UNESCO Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development, which coordinates the RED/TUPAZ together with the University of Cartagena (Colombia).
The Network seeks to consolidate itself as a space of academic and research excellence that fosters interuniversity collaboration, promotes peace and sustainability, and contributes to the development of innovative solutions to global challenges. RED/TUPAZ promotes a vision of tourism as a catalyst for positive change, capable of generating sustainable social, economic, and environmental impacts. With a particular focus on Latin America, RED/TUPAZ aims to bring together researchers, students, communities, and decision-makers to build a more just and equitable future. Its activities focus on promoting sustainable and responsible tourism, fostering intercultural dialogue and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, advancing climate action, promoting gender equity and social inclusion, and integrating digitalization into social development.
By addressing cross-cutting issues such as climate change, social conflicts, the environment, gender, culture, and technology, RED/TUPAZ strengthens the role of tourism as a catalyst for positive change and as a tool for mutual understanding and cooperation among communities, contributing to sustainability, inclusion, and peace.