La Comunitària celebrates diversity as a characteristic trait of the university community

"Life would be so boring if we were all alike", said Ribes, who explained his case as a blind student at the Faculty of Communication Studies: "I am blind, but I have a lot to see", he affirmed, and assured that the university represents "an opportunity for people who feel or think differently". For Ribes, the UAB "embodies the values of freedom, equality and fraternity", principles opposed to the influential hate discourses that have appeared lately in a variety of areas.

He affirmed that "the number of blind students enrolled in the UAB is constantly growing" and dedicated a few words of gratitude to the UAB's Equality and Diversity Service and to lecturers "who go beyond their classes and leave their mark" on students, and to his family for their support in his academic and professional career.

UAB Rector Javier Lafuente praised Ribes' speech and coincided with him in affirming that diversity is "the essence of not only the university community but the world as a whole". For Rector Lafuente, the university must be "a driving force that helps to understand the complexity of today's world and to advance towards a more just and more sustainable society". Rector Lafuente also had a special mention for the LGTBIQ+ community and expressed the UAB's solidarity with this community and the rejection of any type of discrimination against them.

Annabel Galán, vice-rector for Students and Employability, also spoke at the opening of La Comunitària to explain that this autumn edition aims to help students discover the services and groups they can form part of at the UAB. Galán thanked the involvement of all participants and particularly the organisation of the event by the Commitment and Community Office and the Community Involvement Unit.

For the first time also at the Sabadell campus

As every year, La Comunitària offered a wide array of activities, performances and experiences for all university members. This initiative aims to be a space in which to discover the UAB's associations and also enjoy some fun time on campus. This year also coincided with the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the UAB's Fundació Autònoma Solidària (FAS).

The activities and entities' fair took place at the Plaça del Coneixement of the Bellaterra campus. And for the first time, La Comunitària was also held at the UAB's Sabadell campus, where members could participate in karaoke singing, ping-pong tournaments and chess matches and kahoot activities. All activities were organised by students from the School of Engineering and the Faculty of Economics and Business Studies.