Emotional graduation ceremony for the twelfth graduating class of DEMOS: One more step towards university inclusion

The presiding table was composed of Ignacio Egea, sponsor of the graduating class and president of the DOWN Madrid Foundation; Mar de Andrés, director of Social Transformation of the Repsol Foundation; and Antonio Allende SJ, rector of the university.

During the ceremony, two students spoke on behalf of their classmates. Silvia Buisán Prieto, from the EDUCADEMOS programme, expressed firmly: "We also want to, we can and we are part of the university world". Jimena Díez Torre-Enciso, from the TECNODEMOS programme, shared: "The internships have helped us to dream of a professional future full of possibilities".

Ignacio Egea, dedicated a few words full of gratitude and emotion: "Today you have your families sitting behind you, but they have always been behind you, physically and morally", and invited the students to stand up and applaud their families.

This was followed by the awarding of stoles to the 19 students from both programmes. In addition, special awards were presented to Luis Renedo Bru (EDUCADEMOS) and Juan Manuel García de Alfonso (TECNODEMOS). The "Friend Award", chosen by the students themselves, went to Lluis Salinas SJ, from Comillas Espiritualidad, who recalled that "what characterises us as human beings is the beauty and dignity that is in our heart".

Mar de Andrés emphasised in her speech that "what is important, as we see, is what is lived. This apprenticeship has transformed you". Finally, Rector Antonio Allende, SJ, closed the event with an inspiring message: "We all have a value, to the extent that we are able to give to others, to make others lead better lives".