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Home ❯ News ❯ IQS Hosts the 19th Edition of the San Francisco Javier UNIJES Debate League

IQS Hosts the 19th Edition of the San Francisco Javier UNIJES Debate League

Events Institutional 18 February 2026

On February 13 and 14, IQS hosted in Barcelona the 19th edition of the San Francisco Javier UNIJES Debate League, one of the leading academic oratory events within the Jesuit university network. The competition brought together more than one hundred students from the various UNIJES institutions, as well as over forty judges, representatives, organizers, and volunteers who ensured the smooth running of the tournament.

Teams participated from Universidad Pontificia Comillas, Universidad de Deusto, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Esade, and IQS, as well as from the San Agustín (Santiago de Compostela) and Loyola (Madrid) residence halls.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Dr. Salvador Borrós, Director General of IQS, and Dr. Ana García-Mina, delegate and president of UNIJES. Afterwards, Dr. Albert Florensa, member of the UNIJES Council and professor emeritus at IQS, delivered a lecture centered on the debate question:

“Is contemporary scientific progress compatible with human development?”

This question addresses the ethical challenges associated with contemporary technological development, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, automation, and digitalization. The aim was to encourage critical reflection on whether current scientific progress advances in alignment with genuine integral human development—an approach inspired by the Social Doctrine of the Church and references such as Populorum Progressio (Paul VI) and Caritas in veritate (Benedict XVI).

Results of the Edition

After several qualifying rounds, quarter-finals, semifinals, and a closely contested final, the awards were as follows:

  • Winning Team: Colegio Mayor Universitario Loyola (Madrid), which defeated the Loyola Andalucía 2 team in the final.
  • Best Research Paper: A mixed Deusto–IQS team made up of Alexia de Maria Granda, Pol Ricart, Naroa Abascal, and Mikel Barrio, coordinated by Haizene Gangoiti.
  • Best Speaker: Valentín Cáceres, Esade student.

The jury highlighted the high level of argumentation across all teams and the strength of the submitted research papers, a distinctive element of this competition.

A Space for Critical Thinking and Integral Education

The San Francisco Javier UNIJES Debate League has consolidated itself as a learning laboratory where students develop skills in argumentation, active listening, critical analysis, and public communication. The edition organized by IQS strengthened the educational dimension of the debate, especially by placing at its center a topic that connects science, ethics, and social responsibility.

This year’s question invited participants to assess whether contemporary scientific progress genuinely contributes to human well-being or whether, on the contrary, it poses risks related to personal autonomy, the technological gap, environmental sustainability, or human dignity.

With strong participation, a high academic level, and a clear educational vocation, the 19th edition held at IQS confirms the League’s role as a key space within the UNIJES network for cultivating a humanistic approach to science and technology.