Launch of the Nordic visions for the European Knowledge Area

PRESS RELEASE | NORDIC UNIVERSITY DAYS - 62 leaders from the Nordic Universities call for a reflection on what implications of the use of the term “European values” and emphasises the need for a shift of discourse from Academic freedom to values; which are global. This and more are included in the Key messages from the Nordic Univerity Days 2022.

62 rectors and vice rectors gathered in Brussels for Nordic University Days Benoît COLLETTE Photography

 

BRUSSELS - Monday to Tuesday (September 26th - 27th) 62 Rectors and Vice-Rectors from Universities in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden came together for a High-level Conference to share their visions for the European Knowledge Area. Visions are structured around six key messages for the EU institutions and the Member States in the future development of research, innovation and higher education policies and programmes. During the two-day conference the university leaders met with and engaged in discussions with Margrethe Vestager Executive, Vice-President of the European Commission, Christel Schaldemose, Member of the European Parliament, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, Signe Rastso, Acting Director-General, European Commission, DG Research & Innovation, Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council, Maria Cristina Russo Director, European Commission DG Research & Innovation, Global Approach & International Partnerships and Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Head of Unit, European Commission, DG Education, Youth, Sport & Culture. The

Nordic Universities presented their visions to the European stakeholders.

“The Nordic University Days 2022 was a terrific opportunity for university leaders from the Nordics to meet and discuss. In this years’ Key Messages from the Nordic University Days, we share our views and Nordic visions for the European Knowledge Area, something which is very important for Nordic Universities relating both to research and education funding and the changing university landscape in Europe. Several leaders from the EU institutions joined us and engaged in our discussions. This has been very beneficial and something we will build on in the Nordic context," says Jon Atli Benediktsson, Chair of the Nordic Rectors Association, host of the Nordic University Days 2022 The six key messages, in brief;

The full extensive list can be found in the appendix and on the following link: www.larosatensyd.se/en/key-messages-for-the- nordic-university-days-2022/

The six key messages, in brief;

  1. Academic freedom and values; a priority for Nordic universities
  2. Science-based policy making
  3. Joint implementation of the European Research Area and European Education Area
  4. Research and education based on excellence
  5. Universities in a global landscape
  6. The future of EU research and innovation programmes: excellence and openness

The full extensive list can be found in the appendix and on the following link.

Nordic University Days 2022:

Keynote speech by Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Comission: "Intelligent policies for crisis and transition"

Speech by Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council: “Research Excellence – quo vadis?”

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