Isabel Capeloa Gil takes part in the 3rd edition of Beyond Profit Talk
On 10 December, the Santander Foundation held the third edition of Beyond Profit Talk, by Santander Foundation Portugal, on the theme "What is the power of the arts in society?", with the participation of Isabel Capeloa Gil, President of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa.
The event took place in the Santander Auditorium, moderated by Martim Sousa Tavares, and featured a speech by José Teixeira, businessman and chairman of the DST group.
The discussion focussed on the importance of the arts as a driving force for innovation and differentiation in the business world. In times of great technological and industrial advance, the conference emphasised the need to integrate cultural and human values into the business context, making companies more ethical, innovative and socially responsible.
Isabel Capeloa Gil emphasised the fundamental role of universities, such as the Universidade Católica, in training leaders with a broad cultural awareness and in promoting a culture that is accessible to all. "The university should not be a space of comfort, where we only add knowledge in the areas in which we feel comfortable; rather, we should go beyond the specific languages of each area", she shared.
José Teixeira shared his vision of how culture can benefit companies, highlighting examples of how investment in art and culture contributes to improving employees‘ quality of life and, consequently, to companies’ economic performance. "Culture is the shortest way to open up to the world", said José Teixeira, highlighting the positive impact that art has on shaping individuals who are more creative and prepared for social and economic challenges.
The conversation revealed how the arts, when incorporated into business practices, can contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable solutions. The reflection also addressed the importance of rethinking the way companies and universities collaborate to create a more humane and innovative future.
Isabel Capeloa Gil concluded by emphasising that "making graduates capable of taking a broad and integrative approach to the challenges facing societies is the key to forming citizens capable of transforming the world in a fairer and more inclusive way".