On the 23-24 of November 2020, the very first CHARM-EU Days took place, which tackled the question ‘How can the European Universities Initiative contribute to supporting the European Green Deal?’. Participants gained an insight to this crucial topic through a series of panel discussions and presentations from CHARM-EU members and other experts in the field.

The event started with an inspiring speech by Adrienn Király, Head of Cabinet of Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth of the European Commission emphasizing the important role European Universities can play in the European Commission’s upcoming Climate Pact. She also highlighted that “we need to make sure that this transition leaves no one behind or else there will be no transition.”

Following the Opening Session, a panel discussion was conducted in order to discuss the ways in which European Universities can actively contribute to the achievement of the European Green Deal. Amongst the insightful speeches of the panel’s participants, one speaker’s vision stood out. Monika Skadborg, representing the European Student’s Union, emphasized that in order to achieve sustainability in the higher education sector, students need to be a central part of the discussions surrounding the topic.

In the afternoon, participants had the chance to attend three Green Cluster Sessions, that discussed the ways in which transdisciplinary, mobility and inclusivity can contribute towards achieving greater sustainability.

The second day of the conference held a panel discussion to explore the role of business and society as a part of European Universities in addressing the European Green Deal. Furthermore, participants gained an insight into the research and innovation activities towards achieving a greener future, amongst the relationship between Horizon 2020 and European Universities.

In order to conduct the first ever CHARM-EU Days, rapporteurs from the Green Cluster Sessions highlighted the discussions main points and conclusions. Finally, Senior Advisor of CHARM-EU, Tim Savage, and Head of the Higher Education Unit of the European Commission, Vanessa Debiais-Sainton, concluded the conference with their closing speeches in which they both reflected on the critical role of European Universities and their students in shaping the future’s sustainability.

Michele Catanzaro, presenter of the conference, reflected on the important lessons learned during the conference by saying “Climate change, the biodiversity crisis, and the pandemic crisis are really anguishing problems and it’s comforting to hear that universities are really committed to tackle these issues.”

Resources

Watch again: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUI8mmYREJE4EKWZWPYuikQ

Download the agenda here.

Presentations

• How external stakeholders can engage with European Universities to address the European Green deal? Estibaliz Saez de Camara Oleaga
• Perspectives from the Coimbra Group of Universities Cláudia Cavadas (University of Coimbra) Member of the Coimbra Group Executive Board
• External stakeholders. Dr. Carole-Anne Sénit – Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Utrecht University

Green Cluster – Inclusiveness

• CHARM-EU DAYS: Cluster 3 Inclusiveness. Agnes  Sarolta Fazekas. CHARM-EU WP6 Inclusiveness Leader.
• “No one Can be left behind”. Systemic Support of Students with special needs at ELTE University.Mrs. Krisztina Kovács, Head of Office for Supporting Students with Special Needs (SHÜTI), disability coordinator – ELTE University.
• Support Program of the University of Barcelona for refugees and people from conflict zones. Catalina Jerez Paredero, Coordinator of the Support Programme of the University of Barcelona; for Refugees and People from Conflict Zones
• Jennifer Maguire Donohoe Research Assistant and a Pathways to the Professions Project Officer in Trinity Access Programmes (TAP)​
• HANDY. Agnès Fichard-Caroll, Vice-President in charge of Social Responsibility, University of Montpelier