Nordic University Days 2024: Key Messages

BRUSSELS – Monday to Tuesday (September 23th - 24th) close to 70 Rectors and Vice-Rectors from Universities in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and came together for a High-level Conference to discuss the Possibilities for the next European programming period and to deliver a set of 5 Key Messages.

Close to 70 Rectors and Vice-Rectors from Universities in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and came together for a High-level Conference in Brussel. Filip Pecevski

 

Chair of the Nordic University Association and Universities Norway , Sunniva Whittaker. Universities Norway

The success of the EU hinges significantly on its capacity to position itself as a global front runner in research, innovation, and education. To achieve this position we need a strong, excellence based European framework programme for research and innovation, emphasize academic freedom, and support international cooperation and science-based policy-making. The EU policies in research, innovation and education serve as instrumental avenues to attain these objectives. Together with the EU, Universities play a significant role in carrying out this mission.

The Nordic University Rectors presented their visions to the European stakeholders.

– In my view these two days have provided Nordic rectors with valuable insights into EU policymaking in areas that are of vital importance to our institutions as well as giving us the opportunity to share our views with both EU officials and politicians, said Sunniva Whittaker, Chair of the Nordic University Association, host of the Nordic University Days 2024.

Nordic University Days 2024 - Key Messages

The key messages for the EU: institutions and 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 Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, Director-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, at DG-EAC, Signe Rastso, Deputy Director-General for Research and Innovation, at DG-RTD, Jolita Butkeviciene, Director, Innovation in Science and Policymaking, at JRC, Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Head of Unit, Higher education, at DG-EAC, Bojan Grlaš, Deputy Head of Unit, International Cooperation, Asia, Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, Science Diplomacy and Research Security at DG-RTD, Joachim Wiemann, Deputy Head of Unit, Common Strategic Planning & Programming Service, at DG-RTD, Brigadier General Anders Persson, The Swedish Deputy Military representative to NATO and EU, Eystein Jansen, Vice-President, European Research Council, Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary General, International Association of Universities – The Global Voice of Higher Education, Enora Bennetot Pruvot, Deputy Director Governance, Funding & Public Policy Development, European Universities Association and the following members of the European Parliament from the Nordic countries: Christel Schaldemose (S&D), Merja Kyllönen (The Left/GUE), Pär Holmgren (The Greens), Rasmus Nordqvist (The Greens), Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR), Sigrid Friis (Renew), Stine Bosse (Renew), Villy Søvndal (The Greens).

The key messages for the EU: institutions and 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 Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen, Director-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, at DG-EAC, Signe Rastso, Deputy Director-General for Research and Innovation, at DG-RTD, Jolita Butkeviciene, Director, Innovation in Science and Policymaking, at JRC, Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, Head of Unit, Higher education, at DG-EAC, Bojan Grlaš, Deputy Head of Unit, International Cooperation, Asia, Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, Science Diplomacy and Research Security at DG-RTD, Joachim Wiemann, Deputy Head of Unit, Common Strategic Planning & Programming Service, at DG-RTD, Brigadier General Anders Persson, The Swedish Deputy Military representative to NATO and EU, Eystein Jansen, Vice-President, European Research Council, Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary General, International Association of Universities – The Global Voice of Higher Education, Enora Bennetot Pruvot, Deputy Director Governance, Funding & Public Policy Development, European Universities Association and the following members of the European Parliament from the Nordic countries: Christel Schaldemose (S&D), Merja Kyllönen (The Left/GUE), Pär Holmgren (The Greens), Rasmus Nordqvist (The Greens), Sebastian Tynkkynen (ECR), Sigrid Friis (Renew), Stine Bosse (Renew), Villy Søvndal (The Greens).