AVILA - From August 12-14 the first World Congress of Catholic Universities will take place in Avila, Spain.

The World Congress of Catholic Universities WCCU will take place in conjunction with Pope Benedict’s visit to Madrid on the occasion of World Youth Day. It is an initiative meant to encourage reflection on the identity and spirit of Catholic universities, beginning in Spain but engaging the entire international community. The Congress, entitled Identity and Mission of the Catholic University, will take place just outside of Madrid in one of Spain’s most marvelous cities, Avila, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985, and, of course, the home of St. Teresa of Avila.

This worldwide encounter invites presidents, rectors, administrators, professors, researchers and students from universities around the globe to join, so as to share their particular vision and experience of Catholic higher education. Besides the Congress, a Convention and a festival will taken place.

Organizing Universities  are The Catholic University St. Teresa de Jesús of Avila, together with the CEU universities (San Pablo, Abat Oliba and Cardenal Herrera), Francisco de Vitoria University, University of Navarra, Catholic University San Antonio de Murcia, Catholic University of Valencia San Vicente Mártir, and the ICUSTA member universities are promoting this initiative that will represent an important milestone in the development and promotion of Catholic universities.

See for more details www.wccu.es.