Sustainable Universities and Human Rights: A Comparative Analysis of Institutional Best Practices within the Framework of the 2030 Agenda

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5944/reec.49.2026.45822

Keywords:

Sustainability, higher education, 2030 Agenda, University, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Abstract

The sustainability–human rights education binomial constitutes a key axis for rethinking the social commitment of universities within the framework of the 2030 Agenda. Although in recent years numerous higher education institutions have incorporated strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the integration of Human Rights as a structural dimension of sustainability remains diffuse. This article comparatively analyzes how five Spanish universities — selected for their performance in rankings such as the THE Impact Rankings and their membership in sustainability networks — articulate Human Rights Education (HRE) in their institutional policies and educational initiatives. A qualitative, exploratory methodology is adopted, based on documentary analysis of public institutional sources: strategic plans, sustainability reports, SDG progress documents, equality plans, and academic program guides. Five analytical categories were established: explicit presence of human rights, curricular integration of HRE, existence of specific institutional structures, ethical articulation of the SDGs, and development of inspiring practices. The results reveal a growing commitment to sustainability, although HRE still appears unevenly, generally linked to specific units or cooperation areas. While good practices can be identified — such as diversity observatories or sustainability reports with a social focus — these are not always systematized or evaluated from a rights-based approach.

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Author Biographies

Noelia Gutiérrez-Martín, Catholic University of Avila

PhD in Social Communication from San Pablo CEU University. Director of the Data Processing Center at the Catholic University of Ávila and member of the team responsible for the university’s digital transformation. Her main lines of research focus on the digital transformation of educational institutions and the relationship between new technologies and people, especially the most vulnerable populations. She has delivered lectures on digitalization at various conferences and seminars, invited by organizations such as Oracle and Blackboard. Currently, much of her research is devoted to the integration of Artificial Intelligence across different sectors.

Noelia Muñoz del Nogal, Catholic University of Avila

PhD in Economics from the Catholic University of Ávila and Master's Degree in International Marketing and Communication. She teaches Strategic Management at the Catholic University of Ávila and is a member of the research group on Digital Economy and Information Society. She is the director of the Observatory on Social/Solidarity Economy and the 2030 Agenda. She has published several works in high-impact journals, conferences, and books.

Arturo Mancebo García, Catholic University of Avila

Graduate in Advertising and Public Relations and currently a PhD candidate in Communication. He is a member of the Catholic University of Ávila, where he works across various departments. Particularly relevant to this context is his role as administrative staff in the Technical Office for Affiliated and Partner Centers (OTACCAC), where he maintains contact with all institutions linked to UCAV. He is also responsible for managing the University’s rankings and positioning data across different platforms. Additionally, he is involved in digital projects, such as the support and guidance line for the Digital Kit as a certified digitalization agent. He also teaches various subjects in both online and offline seminars, the University of Experience program, and other academic activities.

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Published

2025-12-27

How to Cite

Gutiérrez-Martín, N., Muñoz del Nogal, N., & Mancebo García, A. (2025). Sustainable Universities and Human Rights: A Comparative Analysis of Institutional Best Practices within the Framework of the 2030 Agenda. Revista Española de Educación Comparada, (49), 176–193. https://doi.org/10.5944/reec.49.2026.45822

Issue

No. 49 (2026): Socially sustainable universities and human rights education: A necessary binomial to face the challenges of the 2030 agenda

Section

MONOGRAPHIC

License

Copyright (c) 2025 DRA. NOELIA GUTIÉRREZ-MARTÍN, DRA. NOELIA MUÑOZ DEL NOGAL, D. ARTURO MANCEBO GARCÍA

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