The Sacred in the Mountains. The UNITA Conference on Sacred Sites in the Mountain Regions of Turin, Zaragoza, and Chambéry
On May 28–29, 2025, the Città Studi Biella campus hosted a two-day international conference exploring the relationship between communities and sacred sites in the mountain regions of Europe. The event, part of a project funded through the UNITA Starting Grants for Research, focused on the territories surrounding the universities of Turin, Zaragoza, and Chambéry, and also included a comparative case study from New Zealand. The conference was jointly promoted by the Università di Torino, Universidad de Zaragoza, and Université Savoie Mont-Blanc—partners in the UNITA alliance—in collaboration with the International Association for Research on Sanctuaries. The aim was to examine the preservation and sustainable valorization of sacred sites in European mountain areas. Students from the master’s degree course in Cultural Heritage and Creativity for Tourism and Territorial Development at Città Studi Biella actively contributed to the event. Prof. Paolo Cozzo, Director of the Department of Historical Studies at the Università di Torino, explained that the conference aimed to “foster various exchange and research activities among UNITA partners, such as Turin, Zaragoza, and Chambéry, which all share a unique connection with mountainous environments as a common element.” The event was part of a broader research initiative on mountains and territorial development, supported by the UNITA Starting Grants. Students presented the outcomes of one of their academic projects and introduced the features of their degree program to the international participants. Professors from the three universities gave lectures on a wide range of topics: systems for cataloguing and preserving cultural heritage, crimes against ecclesiastical heritage and related security systems, strategies for tourism development of sacred sites in mountainous areas, and even the historical memory linked to football teams. The conference also expanded its scope beyond Europe, featuring a case study from New Zealand, which highlighted a different, yet equally rich and deeply rooted relationship with sacred mountains in Oceania. One full day was dedicated to sacred sites in the Biella area—specifically Oropa, Graglia, and San Giovanni d’Andorno—and later extended to the broader network of Sacred Mounts across Piedmont and Lombardy. French and Spanish experiences were presented as comparative examples. The event concluded with a visit to the Oropa Sanctuary and its Sacred Mount.
UNITA Blended Intensive Program: “Managing Vital Emergencies” course in Switzerland
From June 16 to 20, 2025, HEdS La Source hosted the intensive week of the Managing Vital Emergencies module, part of a second-year Bachelor program in Nursing. As a Blended Intensive Program (BIP), it combined online sessions with in-person training focused on managing cardiac, respiratory, neurological, and obstetric emergencies. The module was developed with five partner institutions from Switzerland, Italy, Finland, and Romania. Students participated in workshops, simulations, and team-based exercises to strengthen both clinical and collaborative skills. Module international sur les urgences vitales à la HEdS La Source Du 16 au 20 juin 2025, l’Institut et Haute École de la Santé La Source (HEdS La Source), membre de la HES-SO, a accueilli la semaine intensive du module Managing Vital Emergencies. Ce module à option, proposé en 2e année du Bachelor en soins infirmiers, fait partie d’un BIP (Blended Intensive Program) combinant des sessions en ligne au printemps et une phase en présentiel sur toute une semaine. Collaboration européenne autour des soins aigus Le module a été développé en partenariat avec quatre institutions de Suisse et d’Europe ayant un programme Bachelor en Soins infirmiers : Chaque université a mobilisé une personne enseignante et un groupe d’étudiant·es (entre 4 et 7 étudiant-es par université), soit un total de 26 participant·es. Financé par la HES-SO et le réseau UNITA, ce projet s’inscrit dans une volonté d’ouverture internationale. Simuler l’urgence, apprendre en équipe L’objectif du module était de travailler la gestion des situations d’urgences (cardiaques, neurologiques, respiratoires, obstétriques). Parmi les contenus travaillés : Durant toute la semaine, les étudiant-es ont pu participer à des séminaires, des ateliers pratiques, des simulations cliniques, la gestion de la réanimation, l’interprétation de gaz du sang, et travailler en équipe interprofessionnelle. La collaboration avec HESAV a permis d’inclure des simulations spécifiques aux urgences obstétricales. Durant cette semaine à Lausanne, les participant·es ont aussi échangé sur les différences de pratiques entre pays. L’évaluation s’est conclue par une présentation orale des étudiant·es. Cette semaine intensive a été une belle opportunité de croiser les regards, les méthodes et les pratiques entre étudiant-es et enseignant-es issu·es de plusieurs pays. Le module Managing Vital Emergencies a non seulement renforcé les compétences cliniques des participant-es, mais aussi favorisé des échanges enrichissants et une réelle collaboration interuniversitaire.
CALL FOR PAPER at FUCAPE Business school Brasil – UNITA Geminae partner
It is now open the CALL FOR PAPERS Reimagining Corporate Social Responsibility: OrganizationalPurpose and Human -AI Synergy. The International conference will be held in Victoria, Brazil next September 3-6, 2025 at theFUCAPE Business school, a Geminae partner. This call it’s open to scholars and practitioners coming from the UNITA alliance and GeminaePartners. If you’re looking to contribute original research that illuminates the evolving nature of CSR in thecontemporary business landscape this is your chance! The focus is on both empirical and conceptual papers and innovative methodologies that push theboundaries of CSR researc especially in human purpose, technological innovation and ethics. The aim is to understand how integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning transformsbusiness operations and redefines the essence of corporate responsibility. How can organizationsleverage these powerful tools to enhance their CSR initiatives while maintaining a human-centricapproach? Remember there won’t be UNITA funds, you must use your research funds for the travel to theconference. More info on submissions and topics: https://srrnet2025.ubi.pt/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Call-for-papers.pdf Deadline: All papers and abstracts should be sent by June 15, 2025 For any request please write to srrnet2025@ubi.pt (https://srrnet2025.ubi.pt/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Call-for-papers.pdf) (https://srrnet2025.ubi.pt/home-2/? fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1jlgRTyXuf9UzEyyYwKSVXVMfggOSDN4KAZ-pbdi96vnLxKlWVLnY5210_ aem_tEQ1NbqckPx-miSA4qt2Bw) (mailto:srrnet2025@ubi.pt)
