UNICA Days in Brussels | 28 February – 1 March 2024
The first edition of the UNICA Days took place in Brussels, from 28 February to 1 March 2024. The event was open to the whole UNICA community as well as to partner organizations, European stakeholders, and policy makers, and intends to mark a significant step towards shaping the future of the network. The UNICA Days featured some of the key topics and audiences charting a course for Europe’s Higher Education environment.
Under the overarching theme “Navigating the Future: Strengthening Democracy through Education and Research“, participants had the chance to network with their peers from around the UNICA membership and meet with stakeholders and decision-makers shaping Higher Education policy in Europe.
The event covered three key topics for our community:
- The democratic mission of universities ahead of the EU Parliament elections 2024
- The developments in transnational cooperation on education in Europe
- The visions for a new European research and innovation strategy
More about the theme
As the European elections 2024 approach, we are fully aware of the interconnectedness of Higher Education and European politics. Democracy, anchored in active citizen engagement, inclusivity, and well-informed decision-making, highly benefits from the pivotal role of universities. These institutions uniquely empower individuals by providing them with knowledge, promoting critical thinking skills, and fostering the capacity to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of society. Moreover, through research and innovation, universities provide the knowledge for evidence-based decision-making and policy development to address societal challenges.
In this way, the intersection of Higher Education and democracy becomes a cornerstone for societal development and progress. This was, therefore, the ideal moment to leverage the collective capacity of UNICA member universities and make the community’s voice heard among decision-makers, stakeholders, and partners in Brussels, marking a significant step towards shaping the future we aspire to create.
Information from the event
- Programme
- Bios of the speakers & chairs
- List of participants (as of 21 February 2024)
Presentations from the event
“The democratic mission of higher education. Perspectives from the Council of Europe“, by Marie-Anne Persoons, Vice-Chair of the COE’s Steering Committee for Educations
Presentations from the Liaison Officers
The UNICA days in pictures
Photographer: Robert-Gaël Maleux (https://www.instagram.com/gaelmaleux/)
Explore information of the initiatives announced during the UNICA Days:
- UNICA Students’ Video Competition: “Vote for Europe”
- UNICA Rectors’ Panel & informal dinner in the framework of the EUA Conference 2024 | 10 April 2024
- UNICA EduLAB-King’s College London Conference within the Education and Society Dialogues Series “The End of the Massification of Higher Education?” | 18-19 April 2024 (info coming soon)
- 34th UNICA General Assembly & Rectors Seminar, Stockholm University | 26-28 June 2024
- UNICA EduLAB Retreat at the Centre for Advanced Academic Studies (CAAS) from the University of Zagreb “Re-conceptualising learning and teaching in Higher Educationin the Digital Age” | 2-4 September 2024 (info coming soon)
28 February - 1 March 2024
European Parliament Info Hub & University Foundation, Brussels
UNICA
Contact
Laura Brossico (laura.brossico@unica-network.eu)
Thibaut Le Forsonney (thibaut.leforsonney@unica-network.eu)
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.