Representatives from ESPOL’s Faculty of Art, Design and Audiovisual Communication (FADCOM) took part in the 2026 Business and Society Summit, an event that brought together representatives from the business sector, social organisations, academia, international cooperation bodies and the media to explore opportunities for collaboration and social investment in Guayaquil. The event took place on 23 September 2026 at the Wyndham Hotel in Guayaquil and was organised by Misión Alianza Noruega and Editorial Vistazo. The meeting brought together around 300 representatives from different sectors and addressed issues relating to education, nutrition and food security, the prevention of violence and the holistic development of young people, employability, entrepreneurship and local economic development.
Representing FADCOM were Elizabeth Elizalde and Lissenia Sornosa, who attended the event to learn about experiences and social intervention practices developed by different sectors and organisations. The Summit combined conferences, panel discussions, networking opportunities and a social projects fair, with the aim of fostering connections between businesses and organisations working directly in communities and seeking to expand the reach of their initiatives. As part of the event, the ‘Business and Society Pact’ was also presented, aimed at establishing a roadmap to ensure continued collaboration between the business sector, social organisations, academia and international cooperation.
For FADCOM, taking part in this event represents an opportunity to learn about initiatives, experiences and social practices developed by other stakeholders in society, as well as to identify opportunities for collaboration that contribute to the Faculty’s work in the area of community engagement. Misión Alianza Noruega is a stakeholder in FADCOM’s Community Service Programme; therefore, participation in such events helps to deepen our understanding of the work carried out by organisations linked to the Faculty and to broaden our perspective on the needs and opportunities for intervention in different social contexts. FADCOM’s presence at the 2026 Business and Society Summit reaffirms the importance of maintaining forums for dialogue between academia, social organisations and other sectors of society, as part of community engagement and community service processes.
© Photography: Courtesy and Text: José Luis Castro
