Researchers associated with the UNESCO Chair “The Educating and Transforming City”, led by ISEC Lisboa, participated in the 13th Portuguese Congress of Sociology, held from 8 to 11 July at the University of the Azores. The congress, organized under the theme “Democracies on Trial: Risks and Uncertainties”, brought together researchers, academics and professionals from various fields of the social sciences to reflect on the contemporary challenges facing democratic societies.

In this context, Susana Henriques and Cristina Pereira Vieira, researchers from Universidade Aberta and members of the Chair’s working group (WG3 – Education in the City), together with Mara Pieri, researcher at the Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra, presented the paper entitled “Impacts of Urban Spaces on the Lives of LGBTQ+ Youth: A Perspective on Well-Being.” The study is part of an ongoing project developed within the framework of the UNESCO Chair “The Educating and Transforming City”, focusing on how urban spaces can influence—either positively or negatively—the well-being, inclusion and experiences of LGBTQ+ young people.

The presentation highlighted the importance of cities as educational territories, emphasizing the role of urban policies, public space design and social dynamics in promoting safer and more inclusive environments that foster equality. The contribution of the researchers reinforces the mission of the UNESCO Chair “The Educating and Transforming City”, which aims to promote research, debate and action on the transformative potential of cities as educational agents and as drivers of social justice, cohesion and democratic citizenship.