Dr. Veronica Fernández, an Icon of Change in Spain

Icons of Change™

Icons of Change International Awards 2026  Dr. Verónica Fernández  Directora Centro de Educacion en Virtudes y Valores, Centro de Educación en Virtudes y Valores (CEV) de la UFV Profesor Contratado Doctor, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria  Responsable de área internacional de Centros educativos del Regnum Christi, Colegios Regnum Christi España   SDG Focus: Goal 4: Quality Education  Changemaker for Character Education, Virtue-Based Leadership and Human Flourishing (Spain)   ________  Transforming Education Through Character and Virtue  Dr. Verónica Fernández is recognised for more than three decades of dedicated work advancing character education, virtue-based learning and human flourishing. A Mexican-born educator, researcher and international leader, she has built a career around a central conviction: meaningful educational transformation begins with the formation of the human person.  Holding a PhD in Leadership and Management of Higher Education Institutions, Verónica brings together educational leadership, academic research and institutional development. Her work across Europe and Latin America has focused on strengthening educational environments in which academic achievement is complemented by wisdom, integrity, responsibility, compassion and a commitment to the common good.  Her approach recognises that education is not simply the transmission of knowledge or the development of technical competencies. It is also a process through which individuals develop the judgement, character and practical wisdom needed to make responsible decisions and contribute positively to society.  ________  Building Institutional Capacity for Character Education  As Founder and Director of the Centre for Character and Virtues Education at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV) in Madrid, Spain, Dr. Fernández leads an initiative dedicated to advancing character education through research, educational programmes and international collaboration.  The Centre's work addresses the importance of developing virtues and practical wisdom among students, teachers and educational leaders. It seeks to connect educational theory with everyday practice, helping institutions consider how character can be intentionally developed within teaching, learning, leadership and school culture.  A defining priority of her work is the empowerment of teachers. Recognising educators as influential figures in the personal and social development of young people, she places particular emphasis on supporting teachers in their professional growth, personal formation and capacity to guide students beyond academic achievement.  Her leadership reflects the belief that schools and universities have a responsibility not only to prepare individuals for professional life, but also to help them become thoughtful, ethical and responsible members of their communities.

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00:03Hello, everyone. My name is Verónica Fernández, and I am delighted to join you from Madrid,

00:09Spain. It is a great honor to be nominated for the Icons of Change International Awards

00:152026. I am sincerely grateful for this recognition and for the opportunity to share a conviction

00:22that has guided my professional life for more than 30 years. Education has the power

00:28to transform lives, and through them, transform society. As a teacher, school leader, and a

00:35researcher, I have dedicated my career to understanding how education can help people grow, discover

00:42their potential, and to find meaning and purpose in their lives. Over the years, I have come

00:48to believe that the true value of education goes beyond academic achievement. Education

00:55shapes not only what we know and what we are capable of doing, but also who we become

01:00and the contribution we make to the world around us. At the heart of this vision lies the idea of

01:07human flourishing, enabling every person to lead a meaningful life, develop their character,

01:14build strong relationships, and contribute to the common good. This belief inspired me to establish

01:21the Center for Character and Virtue Education at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid, and to

01:27promote international collaboration through the European Character and Virtue Association and the Global

01:34Character Alliance. Together with researchers, educators, and institutions from different countries,

01:40and all over the world, we are working to bring character education, virtues, and practical wisdom into the

01:46heart of the heart of educational research and practice. Our goal is to help shape an education that prepares

01:53people not only for professional success, but also for their responsibilities, challenges, and

02:00opportunities of life. This is also why I believe character education has an essential role to play in achieving

02:08sustainable development goal for quality of education. Quality of education must empower people to think

02:17critically, act with integrity, make wise decisions, and take responsibility for others and for the world we

02:24share. And none of this would be possible without teachers. Teachers are among the most powerful agents of

02:33human transformation. Through their knowledge, their example, and the relationships they build with their students, they

02:40have the extraordinary opportunity to shape lives and inspire future generations. After more than three decades in

02:49education, one conviction remains stronger than ever. If we want to build a better world, we must invest in helping

02:57people

02:58become better human beings. Real change begins with the choices we make every day, guided by wisdom, courage,

03:06compassion, and genuine commitment to others. Thank you once again for this nomination and for recognizing the

03:14transformative power of education. Because when education helps people become the best version of themselves, it also gives them the

03:25power to bring out the best in our world. Thank you very much.

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