The "International Conference on Research and Communication" and the IX International Seminar on Transformative Methodologies, which was organized by Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar (UASB), Red AMLAT and the Social Communication major of UPS-Quito, was inaugurated on November 10th.

The opening ceremony was presided by Enrique Ayala Mora, President of UASB, Jose Laso, Coordinator of the master's program in communication at UASB, Edgar Vega, research coordinator, Javier Herran, UPS president, Maria del Carmer Ramirez, director of the social communication faculty at UPS-Quito and Efendy Maldonado from the Red AMLAT. 

The subject of the first conference was "Communication Epistemologies"; UPS President Javier Herran presented presented the topic "Understanding communication from action of development" where he highlighted how communication should transform social reality from the paradigm of the desired reality and social transformation, this implies an ongoing and mobile practice of society, which he calls "Espiral andina del conocimiento".

Regarding communication for development, he said that it should be a model used to improve the quality of life of people and that planning with horizontal participation criterion is needed, as well as praxis of social learning which he calls a positive action with three directions: organization, public opinion and participation.

UPS professors María del Carmen Ramírez, Narcisa Medranda, Isabel Paredes, Diego Cóndor, Fernando Checa and Mónica Ruiz also spoke at conference. Professors Rubén Bravo and Esteban Plaza were moderators. The topics were: intercultural communication and education, communication and politics, visuals and sound, social use of communication networks and technologies, documentation, social participation and citizenship. 

On November 13th the speakers will visit the salesian projects in Cayambe such as Casa Campesina, la comunidad de Cariacu, Pesillo, Radio Mensaje, Laboratorio de Leche de la UPS, estación metereológica de Olmedo, and others. 

Find the November 10th  Keynote speeches in the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZzlFDDwuCs&feature=youtu.be