University Alliances: UniMC joins the European joint statement
The University of Macerata is one of 261 institutions from 30 European countries that have co-signed the joint statement 'For an explicit recognition of European University Alliances as pillars of Europe's competitiveness, sovereignty and skills'. The statement calls on the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament to acknowledge the role of the Alliances in the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework and in the European Competitiveness Fund. Below you will find the statement and the list of signatory institutions.
These are the 30 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Albania, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
“European University Alliances - says John McCourt, Chair of the Board of Rectors at Erua and Rector of the University of Macerata -are no longer simply cooperation projects: they are becoming strategic pillars for Europe’s future. We see this every day within ERUA, where universities, local communities and academic communities from different countries work side by side, sharing knowledge, opportunities and responsibilities. This ability to transcend national borders is essential if we are to build a Europe that is more competitive and strategically autonomous, while also more cohesive and firmly rooted in its values. An initiative of this scale, however, cannot rely on fragmented or short-term funding. European University Alliances need to be given clear and lasting recognition within the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework. As Rector of the University of Macerata and Chair of ERUA’s Board of Rectors, I see the signing of this declaration not simply as an expression of support, but as a clear commitment and a shared responsibility for the future of our universities, our young people and Europe itself.”
Below is the text of the statement
The list of signatory institutions is available at this link.
Join Statement for an explicit recognition of European University Alliances as pillars of Europe's competitiveness, sovereignty and skills
We, the Presidents and Rectors of universities that are members of European Universities alliances, wish to reaffirm the collective role played by European universities in addressing the major crises Europe has faced in recent years, whether in strengthening the resilience of our Union during the COVID-19 pandemic or in supporting Ukraine since the Russian military aggression.
As highlighted in the FOREU4ALL Discussion Paper, European Universities alliances are pioneering new models of deep collaboration across borders, reducing fragmentation, connecting regional innovation ecosystems, and advancing the free circulation of knowledge and innovation across Europe. As pillars of the Union of Skills and Innovation across all territories, European universities are indispensable to achieving the objectives of the Competitiveness Compass and to delivering the Fifth Freedom of the Single Market for knowledge and innovation.
If Europe is to strengthen its independence and sovereignty in relation to other major global powers, it cannot do so without the capacity of European universities to support local and regional economic development, strengthen European values and identity, and to help bridge the disparities.
We therefore call on the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, which are responsible for adopting the European Union’s 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework and programmes, to explicitly acknowledge and support the role and potential of the European Universities alliances in the legislative texts currently under discussion.