Josemaria Montalvo Ferreiro ’26 is an economics major with a concentration in financial economics and econometrics and a supplementary major in applied and computational mathematics and statistics. With support from the Nanovic Institute for European Studies, he traveled to Rome during the UNIV Forum 2024, held from March 22 - April 1, 2024.
Every year, the historic city of Rome transforms into a melting pot of intellectual curiosity and cultural exchange during the UNIV Forum. This unique gathering draws university students from across the globe, offering a week-long experience dedicated to fostering international dialogue and addressing pressing societal challenges. My participation in the 2024 edition of the UNIV Forum was not only a pivotal moment in my academic journey but also a profound personal and spiritual growth opportunity.
The week kicked off with a welcome event that brought together university students from diverse backgrounds, all eager to learn and share their experiences and ideas with the Forum. This initial interaction set the tone for the following days, where I found myself immersed in a rich and diverse way of reasoning the topics surrounding the forum. I was assigned to a group with students from Spain, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Morocco. The diversity was enriching and very present. Our task as a group was to collaborate on various workshops, debates, and presentations throughout the week. The conference theme, "The Human Factor," invited us to explore the intersections of AI, technology, and human anthropology. Discussions centered around thought-provoking questions such as "How is human intelligence and creativity being modified by the development of Artificial Intelligence?" and "What defines us as human beings amidst the rapid technological evolution?" These questions were not simply academic but challenged us to reflect on our human essence and the human-technology relationship.
For me, the highlight of the forum was engaging in the structured debates and the social initiative competition. The debates, focusing particularly on the consequences of young people's dependencies on various forms of technological addiction, pushed participants to consider not just individual but also societal implications. Making it to the final four of these debates was exhilarating; however, the most rewarding aspect was the rich dialogue shared with over 1500 fellow participants, each bringing their unique perspectives to the fore. In addition to the debates, I had the privilege of representing my co-founded non-profit organization, Jovenes X El Espino. Since our first donation in 2019, we have raised more than $80,000 to support children in four communities in El Salvador, each of them categorized as extreme poverty. We provide them with necessary school supplies, uniforms, and even food to ensure their optimal development. It was invaluable to present our mission and achievements in front of esteemed professors from IESE Business School who provided me with constructive feedback. The competition also allowed me to vie for funding of $1700; though I came in second place and did not win the monetary prize, the insights and lessons provided by the judges are going to be very useful for the future of this great organization I am part of. This experience not only refined my presentation skills but also provided strategic insights into improving our organization’s impact.
UNIV Forum also featured a series of seminars, case competitions, and film contests designed to stimulate creativity and initiative. The keynote speaker, Dr. William Hurlburt, a prominent scholar in Neurobiology from Stanford University, discussed “The Boundaries of Humanity” in the context of the rapid advancements in AI and its societal impacts. Additionally, I participated in a Master Class led by Julian Larrauri, an Oscar-nominated film producer, who explored the influence of artificial intelligence on art and film production. Both talks included strong discussion and reflection among the forum participants. Each activity served as a building block toward a comprehensive understanding of our themes, empowering us to make meaningful contributions during the forum and in our future endeavors.
Finally, experiencing Rome during Holy Week added a profound spiritual dimension to my visit. The city, steeped in history and spirituality, offered moments of reflection and a chance to connect with my spiritual roots in the middle of my academic activities. As the week drew to a close, the connections made, insights gained, and memories forged left an indelible mark on my perspective as a student and a global citizen. The UNIV Forum 2024 was more than just an academic conference; it was a celebration of youth potential and a testament to the power of dialogue in shaping a better world. Reflecting on my journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to have been a part of such a stimulating environment. The lessons learned and friendships formed at the UNIV Forum are treasures that I will carry forward in my academic and personal life. For any student looking to expand their horizons and engage in meaningful global discussions, I definitely recommend participating in future editions of the UNIV Forum; it is an experience that challenges, inspires, and transforms.
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Originally published by at nanovicnavigator.nd.edu on May 13, 2024.