My proposal for the direction of the Institute of Ecology 2020-2024 sits within an international, national and university context of urgent and complex challenges, as well as accelerated changes. At the same time, the magnitude of the urgency and the complexity of the challenges mean, for our university, an unprecedented opportunity to participate in addressing the problems from the solidity of our generated knowledge and the training of professional cadres.

In this context, constant adaptation and innovation are required for the development of strategies that facilitate this indispensable participation of the university and that demonstrate its social commitment, while contributing to universal knowledge. Thus, the strategic axes proposed in this development plan pursue a balance in which the generated knowledge continues to be solidified and, at the same time, the involvement and participation of the university with society is facilitated.

I am very enthusiastic about leading the Institute with this vision and building collaboration bridges inside and outside our institute; collaborations that facilitate the transformations that are necessary to create a better future. Today's challenges cannot be faced individually; no matter how much talent there is in a single person, addressing them requires the conjunction of talents, visions and energies focused on common objectives, and there is much talent and energy at the Institute of Ecology.

I am confident that we will face these challenges together, and that I will find far-reaching support and collaborations in the Institute and beyond.