Science and politics united in the Congress of Deputies

Raul Garcia Hemonnet

Jovita Moreno, professor at the URJC, has experienced very closely the reality of the day-to-day life of a Spanish parliamentarian. In her case, and thanks to Matching program from Office C, he had to share experience with the Popular Party deputy Pablo Pérez Coronado.

For the professor at the Rey Juan Carlos University, “it has been an honor that I was selected from more than 200 applications and that the URJC is represented in the program. She gives us visibility.”

According to the teacher, during the program she, as a scientist, spent three days in the Congress of Deputies. “We have been able to see what the deputies do, their work in the commissions.” The majority of public representatives participating in the 'Pairing' program belong to the parliamentary Science commission.

For Jovita Moreno, the experience with Deputy Pérez Coronado has been very enriching, “very good with him, he has been very attentive, although he had a very complex agenda. Very little is known about the daily work of deputies. He has taught me many things. With this program, the work we do at universities becomes more visible to them and can be a direct means of communication in both directions.” “I have told you about the circular economy chair, about the waste recovery projects that come from biomass…”.

The C Office Matching program seeks to help increase mutual knowledge and trust and facilitate collaboration between parliamentarians and scientists. “It is about putting science, with its facts, as another variable for those who have to legislate and make decisions,” says Jovita Moreno.

According to the vice-rector for Research, Innovation and Transfer, “the selection of research personnel from the Rey Juan Carlos University in this program is a clear example of the URJC's openness to society. The developments derived from quality research activity must be oriented towards the creation of social value, contributing to improving people's quality of life. Research must be present at the basis of the design of a legislative framework that promotes equal opportunities and social justice.” 

Jovita Moreno has suggested to the parliamentarian with whom she has shared the experience that he take the opposite path and visit the URJC to see the work being done at the university, learn about the research projects, the teachers and listen to the needs of the Academy.