Coimbra Group Annual Conference 2025 provided last 10-13 June a platform for dialogue on key priorities for universities in Europe and beyond, including sustainability, civic engagement, and the role of universities in their local and global ecosystems.
Under the theme “Forty Years of Impact: Universities and Cities Shaping a Sustainable Future”, this year’s event marked the 40th anniversary of the Coimbra Group and brought together member universities and partners to reflect on the contribution of higher education institutions to building a sustainable future.
CHARM-EU contributes to the session on European University Alliances
As part of the conference programme, CHARM-EU Secretary General Meritxell Chaves took part in the Open Session on European Universities Alliances, which explored how university alliances can strengthen commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. The session featured representatives from several alliances, including Circle U., EC2U, ENLIGHT, EUniWell, Una Europa, and YUFE, and was moderated by Silvia Bianconcini (Una Europa).
The session was also joined by Susanne Conze, representative of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), who provided insight into the policy context supporting the development of European Universities.
During the session, Meritxell Chaves shared CHARM-EU’s experience in implementing an innovative, transformative and socially engaged educational model, highlighting the alliance’s efforts to integrate challenge-based learning, sustainability, and inclusivity into its joint activities and degree programmes.
CHARM-EU’s Master’s in Global Challenges for Sustainability was presented as a concrete example of how alliances can respond to societal needs through co-created, interdisciplinary education involving academic and non-academic partners. The importance of embedding community engagement, intercultural exchange, and real-world challenges into curricula was a key focus of the discussion.
Strengthening collaboration through shared values
The Coimbra Group Annual Conference served once again as a valuable opportunity for CHARM-EU to engage with peer alliances, institutional leaders, and European stakeholders on shared priorities. Meritxell Chaves emphasised the importance of working together to enhance the impact of alliances at both local and European level, and to ensure that universities and european alliances continue to act as key contributors to transform high education area as well as to societal well-being and sustainable development.
Throughout the conference, CHARM-EU representatives also took part in exchanges around digital heritage, inclusion, and future directions for European university collaboration. These discussions reflect CHARM-EU’s continued commitment to contributing to the broader European Higher Education Area.
