The main objective of the agreement signed this morning in the Episcopal Palace of Murcia by the UCAM President and the President of the Fundación Jesús Abandonado, María Dolores García and José Manuel Martínez, is to collaborate and finance training, research and social action projects for the underprivileged. The event was presided over by José Manuel Lorca Planes, Bishop of the Diocese of Cartagena.

With this agreement, these two institutions that have been collaborating for many years will be promoting projects already underway and incorporating new ones in different areas. In this regard, it is worth highlighting the implementation or co-financing of studies and projects in the fields of research, training and social action, as well as the collaboration with the UCAM International Project Office to participate in initiatives of common interest, co-financed by European funds.

In addition, there is a section whereby UCAM will encourage its students to volunteer and do internships in the centres of Jesús Abandonado. In the field of sports, UCAM basketball and football clubs will organise charity matches, the proceeds of which shall be donated to the most vulnerable people in the care of Jesús Abandonado. UCAM will also collaborate with the Magic Line charity walk.

Regarding this agreement, María Dolores García stressed how ‘José Luis Mendoza often said that UCAM is an existential university, driven by the power of love and at the service of others, so when we see a person in a situation of fragility we must consider that it is Jesus who is there and we at UCAM want to help them as much as we are able to’.

José María Martínez also stated that ‘I can only appreciate and thank the Universidad Católica de Murcia and our bishop for their sensitivity. Therefore, gratitude, recognition, enthusiasm and a great willingness to get to work right away for the people who are waiting, hoping to improve their quality of life as much as possible.’

Monsignor Lorca Planes highlighted the work of both organisations, highlighting how UCAM offers the different disciplines at its disposal ‘to rescue these people from this difficult and complex world they are living in’