The Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) launched a new cycle of debates on March 18 focused on public policies, with an initial session titled “Economies and social programs” held at the university’s NOS PUCP complex. The event, organized by the School of Government and Public Policy (EGPP), aims to provide a space for analysis and dialogue in preparation for Peru’s upcoming general elections in 2026.
The initiative is intended to address urgent challenges facing the country over the next five years, encouraging discussion about strengthening public action and state capacity. The university said this effort is part of its commitment to fostering an informed, critical citizenry engaged with democracy.
During the opening remarks, Dr. Julio del Valle, rector of PUCP, said that the event seeks to contribute to electoral debate and pose important questions for urgent action. “This meeting is a space where the specialized knowledge of the University dialogues with citizens’ needs by building bridges between academic reflection and public action to confront one of today’s great challenges,” Del Valle said. He also warned that Peru faces weakened institutions and a fragmented political system amid misinformation and polarization: “Universities have an urgent role not only in forming committed citizens but also in generating rigorous proposals, sustaining critical thinking, and providing spaces where dialogue is possible.”
Dr. Roxana Barrantes, director of EGPP, highlighted that improving public management strengthens citizenship: “With better public management, citizenship is strengthened; collectives are invigorated; this vocation for living together among people who may think differently but share the goal of agreeing to live better and exercise their rights.” She emphasized EGPP’s commitment not as an end in itself but as a tool for reinforcing collective life.
Economic concerns were discussed by Magister Alonso Segura from PUCP’s finance program who noted that Peru no longer has its previous economic strength: “If we look at these indicators together, we’ve gone back about twenty years. That directly affects how we formulate economic policies.” On social issues, Magister Carolina Trivelli stressed that poverty varies across regions: “Poverty is quite different in its territorial distribution… A huge number of things must happen alongside growth so it leads to sustained poverty reduction.” She called for society-wide engagement: “We need a new diagnosis on poverty—one shared by all society—not just technocrats or officials… Facing poverty is essential if we want growth and improved productivity,” Trivelli said.
The second session in this series will take place on March 31 at NOS PUCP under the theme “Education, crime and illegal economies,” bringing together experts from academia and key sectors to reflect on state roles during what organizers describe as a crucial period for Peru.
