MGIS Lecturer Alfredo Langa and Francisco Rey Marcos Win Manuel Castillo Award for Groundbreaking Research on Human Development
Source: Universidad de Valencia - UVNoticies
We are delighted to announce that Alfredo Langa – a valued lecturer in the Master in Global and International Studies (MGIS) program – and his colleague Francisco Rey Marcos, Co-Director of IECAH (Institute of Studies on Conflict and Humanitarian Action), have been awarded the Manuel Castillo Prize by the University of Valencia for their outstanding joint research on conflict-sensitive development.
The Manuel Castillo Prizes, now in their 15th edition, recognize exceptional academic, scientific, and journalistic contributions in the fields of international cooperation, peace, and sustainable human development. The 2024 edition (awarded in 2025) celebrated work with global impact, reinforcing the university's mission to highlight initiatives that promote peace, human rights, and global justice.
At a ceremony held on June 17, 2025, Langa and Rey Marcos were awarded the Category A prize (Best Published Research Monograph), accompanied by a €3,000 recognition, for their publication:
👉 La acción sin daño y los proyectos de desarrollo: una alternativa práctica de triple nexo
(Translated: Do No Harm and Development Projects: A Practical Triple Nexus Alternative)
Published in Revista Española de Desarrollo y Cooperación, Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
A Prestigious Platform for Peace-Oriented Research
Organized by the University of Valencia’s Office of Sustainability, Cooperation, and Healthy Life, the Manuel Castillo Awards serve as a prestigious platform to promote civic, scientific, and academic commitments to human dignity and peacebuilding. The awards are named after Manuel Castillo, a Valencian humanist and philanthropist whose legacy continues to inspire research with global purpose.
During the award ceremony, Vice-Rector Pilar Serra emphasized the importance of recognizing work that contributes to sustainable cooperation and peace, while Rector M. Vicenta Mestre closed the event by reaffirming the university’s dedication to supporting transformative, socially responsible research.
Research That Bridges Development, Peace, and Humanitarian Action
The awarded study presents a practical and timely approach to the triple nexus – the integrated coordination of humanitarian aid, development cooperation, and peacebuilding. In this context, the authors argue for the need to apply the “Do No Harm” principle to international cooperation strategies, especially in fragile or conflict-affected environments.
The publication highlights how development interventions, if not carefully designed, can unintentionally worsen conflict dynamics. Instead, it proposes conflict-sensitive project planning, aligning humanitarian, development, and peace objectives in a coherent and responsible way.
This contribution is particularly relevant for international practitioners, donors, and policy institutions working to enhance the effectiveness and ethical foundation of aid programs in today’s increasingly complex geopolitical context.
A Moment of Pride for the MGIS Community
Dr. Alfredo Langa’s recognition reflects not only his individual excellence, but also the caliber of faculty within the MGIS program. With an International Ph.D. in Economics and over 20 years of experience in development cooperation, humanitarian action, and conflict management, he brings real-world insight to the classroom. His career spans academia, international fieldwork, and leadership roles in Europe and Latin America, including missions with the Red Cross.
This award reinforces the MGIS program’s commitment to bridging theory and practice, preparing students to navigate and influence the key global challenges of our time. Through world-class teaching and active engagement in international affairs, MGIS fosters the next generation of global thinkers and doers.
We warmly congratulate Alfredo Langa and Francisco Rey Marcos on this well-deserved recognition, and we celebrate their contribution to building a more just, peaceful, and responsible global future.
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