Comillas and AMAPAD organise a conference focusing on the ethics of teams working with people with disabilities

Comillas Pontifical University, through its Department of Sociology and Social Work, and the Madrid Agency for the Support of Adults with Disabilities (AMAPAD), a public entity dependent on the Community of Madrid, organised the conference entitled "Ethical Aspects of the Intervention of Interprofessional Teams", held at the Comillas ICAI campus. The event was inaugurated by Antonio Allende SJ, Rector of Comillas, and Ana Dávila - Ponce de León Municio, Counsellor for Family, Youth and Social Affairs of the Community of Madrid.

During his speech, Allende highlighted the fundamental role of the university as a space for critical thinking and plural dialogue. The Rector reflected on ethics and its relevance for professional teams who have to make decisions and face complex dilemmas in their daily work. "Ethics is a way of looking at others, recognising them, allowing oneself to be questioned and assuming the responsibility to act with respect, justice and, above all, compassion," emphasised Allende.

For her part, Ana Dávila-Ponce thanked the university for its commitment and underlined its contribution to making Madrid a more prosperous, international and attractive educational destination. She also mentioned several initiatives promoted by the Community of Madrid to foster the autonomy and dignity of vulnerable people and highlighted ethics in the social sphere as "an essential part in the care and protection of the elderly, people in situations of dependency, women, minors and people with disabilities".

Next, María Jesús Goicoechea Iturregui, lecturer at the University of Deusto, doctor in Human Rights, gave a talk on how ethical deliberation can help ensure that the decisions taken by interdisciplinary teams are the most appropriate for people requiring support. After this intervention, two round tables were held. The first focused on interdisciplinary work based on responsibility, and the second dealt with the role of the person being cared for in coordination processes.

The closing ceremony was led by Encarna Rivero, Director of AMAPAD, and Jorge Uroz, Director of the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Comillas, who stressed the importance of collaboration between universities, public and private institutions, and civil society for the development of initiatives that improve both the lives of professionals in the social sector and those of the people assisted.