"Research in the area of humanities is as necessary for the development of society as the research carried out in the fields of biomedical sciences, technology and business." This statement was made by the president of the University of Navarra, Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero, during the presentation of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS) on the campus of IESE in Barcelona, which was attended by 150 people. Eight projects under development at this international and interdisciplinary research center were presented at the event.

"Research in Humanities and social sciences is more economical than in other fields, but acknowledgement and recognition of the work is much more difficult to come by. Nevertheless, the University of Navarra believes in the need to find proposals originating from these areas that can transform society. Their work is supported by many friends: companies, institutions and individuals who believe in the great social impact of this project," continued the rector.

Alfonso Sánchez-Tabernero stressed the fact that ICS has started from the same point as other projects of this University: "It is based on the major proposals of Christian thought, which gives us light and internal and external coherence". He highlighted the great diversity of backgrounds of the researchers -17 nationalities- and their efforts to share knowledge, methods and approaches that are usually separated.

As for the director of ICS, Jaime Garcia del Barrio, he emphasized the main aspects of the Institute. He mentioned the efforts being made to "attract talent, essential for ensuring quality research" and "the dialogue between different minds which make it possible to address complex problems such as those posed within the humanities." He also added that efforts are also being made to, "explain the results of this work to both the general public and the decision-makers. The ICS director extended his gratitude to Jaume Giró, executive director of La Caixa, for his presence and the financial support provided by the entity.

Round table discussion with the researchers moderated by Rafael de Ribot

During the presentation, a round table discussion was moderated by Catalán journalist, Rafael Ribot, with the following participants: Luis Ravina, professor of economics and director of the project "Navarra Center for International Development (NCID)"; Professor Montserrat Herrero, principal researcher for the project ‘Religion and Civil Society'; and Jokin de Irala, Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and principal investigator for the project ‘Education of human sexuality and affectivity'.

Luis Ravina pointed out that the aim of the NCID project is to combat extreme poverty in the world through science: "Research in the social sciences saves a lot of money because it aids in discovering the real root of the problems and in finding effective solutions."

Montserrat Herrero noted that her project attempts to demonstrate the falseness of the theory proposing that progress and coexistence lead to secularization. In this regard, she mentioned that religious practice is on the rise in many countries and that a Gallup report shows that less than 10% of Europeans declare themselves atheists.

Jokin de Irala emphasized that his team proposes to "transform today's sex education, which focuses only on biological questions, into education on affectivity that prepares people for love. Studies show that young people are currently demanding more education in this regard. "