In January, the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Open University of Catalonia, UOC) inaugurated a Peace Pole in the gardens of the University's headquarters; the pole serves as a symbolic reminder of the universal values of peace

Inauguration of the UOC's Peace Pole 10/01/2007 The Rector of the UOC, Imma Tubella, presided over the event. It was attended by the University's governing body, Eduard Vinyamata, Director of the Campus for Peace and Solidarity and other members of the university community. Agustí Colomines, the Director of Catalonia's UNESCO Centre, and Rafael Grasa, Vice-rector for Institutional Relations and Secretary General at Barcelona's Autonomous University (UAB) were also involved. Other important figures were also present, with representatives from the world of politics, including former Minister of Culture, Caterina Mieras, Rafael Luna, Anna Figueres, from the Catalan parliament's Cooperation Commission; and from other like-minded organisations, including Pep Puig, Professor at the UAB and founder of Ecoserveis (a professional association offering consultancy and training with regard to energy and the environment); Xavier Badia, General Coordinator of the Catalan government's International Peace Institute Programme; David Minoves, Director General of the Catalan government's Cooperation for Development and Humanitarian Work; Andreu Felip, Director of the Catalan government's Cooperation for Development Agency; Ariana Serrano, from “la Caixa” Foundation's Area of International Cooperation; Pilar Quera, Vice President of the “Values for Life” Association; Lídia Tovar, from the Movement for Peace; Toni Luna, Delegate in Catalonia for Doctors without Borders, and Marta Selva, President of the Catalan Women's Institute, among others.

Other peace poles have been planted in Barcelona by the City Council in the port area and, subsequently, in the Universal Forum of Cultures complex (2004). When the Forum ended, the Peace Pole was given to Catalonia's UNESCO Centre and then handed over to the Campus for Peace and Solidarity for its planting in the gardens of the UOC's headquarters. The Peace Pole is an initiative of the United Nations and the World Peace Prayer Society and consists in placing this symbol of peace as a reminder of the message of peace for the whole world. The World Peace Prayer Society is an organisation associated with the Department of Public Information of the United Nations which works to support the mission of bringing peace to the world.

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