UPF joins EUTOPIA, an alliance of European universities that seeks to adapt the model of higher education to the needs of the 21st century
Contra el genocidi i contra la violació dels drets humans, a Gaza i arreu del món
Peace comes when you talk to the person you most hate. And that’s where the courage of a leader comes.
Desmond Tutu (1931-2021), first recipient of an honorary doctorate from UPF
These words, spoken by Desmond Tutu, the first person ever to be awarded an honorary doctorate by UPF, are more applicable today than ever. The UPF condemns, and will always condemn, the use of violence to settle disputes. At UPF, we advocate approaching political or territorial conflicts based on dialogue and respect for all peoples and minorities.
As a university, we also want to show our support to the academic community in countries at war. Universities and scientific institutions are more necessary than ever in these regions. Access to education and the promotion of critical thinking, in the context of strong independent institutions, are the way to ensure the informed debate and reflection that can open the door to new avenues for finding solutions.
At UPF, we are aware of the university community’s concern for the human rights violations we are seeing in the conflicts around us. That is why on this website you will find information about campaigns and actions related to current conflicts, as well as opinion pieces and institutional statements. We also offer a dedicated e-mail address – [email protected] – to contact the university and let us know about your interests and concerns.
UPF joins EUTOPIA, an alliance of European universities that seeks to adapt the model of higher education to the needs of the 21st century
UPF joins EUTOPIA, an alliance of European universities that seeks to adapt the model of higher education to the needs of the 21st century
The University Paris-Seine, the Vrije University of Brussels, the University of Warwick, the University of Ljubljana, the University of Gothenburg and Pompeu Fabra University are the six member institutions of the network that completed its creation in the Slovenian capital.
The cities of Paris, Brussels, Coventry, Ljubljana, Gothenburg and Barcelona are now more connected thanks to the new EUTOPIA alliance of universities, created with the aim of transforming the member universities into multiversities working multidisciplinarily and multilingually to thus become an open federation of higher education institutions.
The University Paris-Seine, the Vrije University of Brussels, the University of Warwick (Coventry), the University of Ljubljana, the University of Gothenburg and Pompeu Fabra University are the six member institutions of the network that completed its creation in the Slovenian capital. The initial proposal was the brainchild of the first three universities and has been completed by the last three.
In the words of Jaume Casals, UPF rector, “Eutopia is, first and foremost, a happy encounter: a friendly alliance coming at a good time. Then it’s a useful tool, optimal for the birth of the European universities of the 21st century, innovative, respectful to the local environment and with a desire to cause an impact on a planetary scale”.
The universities of the future cannot continue to be run on the basis of organizational models of the past. EUTOPIA must serve, among other things, together to explore strategies and structures to improve the scientific, educational and social impact of its member universities.
“Eutopia is, first and foremost, a happy encounter: a friendly alliance coming at a good time. Then it’s a useful tool, optimal for the birth of the European universities of the 21st century, innovative, respectful to the local environment and with a vocation to cause an impact on a planetary scale”
The alliance unites six European institutions that, despite being very different from each other and operating in very different regional contexts, share a number of values and commitments that have already begun to be implemented through partnerships. The regional and institutional diversity, in addition, illustrates the concept of diversity present in Europe.
One of the aims of EUTOPIA is to compete for the new competitive call “European Universities Initiative” launched by the European Commission to build a European Education Area. The pilot call is open to alliances of universities that follow principles such as representing a broad European geographical area or having a long term shared strategy.
Related Assets
Catalan government
Catalan development cooperation aims to help prevent and respond to emergency situations. This page explains how you can collaborate on the provision of foreign aid both in general and to specific regions.
European Commission
Through cooperation and assistance programmes, the European Commission offers humanitarian aid and coordinates efforts with other international actors to promote peace and stability in war-torn regions.
Oxfam Intermón
Oxfam Intermón works in 90 countries. They have launched a fundraising campaign, which is more necessary than ever, given the magnitude of today’s wars. The NGO is also sponsoring a campaign to collect signatures to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is a medical-humanitarian action organization that provides assistance in 70 countries to people threatened by armed conflicts, violence, epidemics or neglected diseases, natural disasters and exclusion from medical care. They have also promoted a campaign to collect signatures to ask for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Red Cross
The Red Cross also provides emergency humanitarian aid in regions in crisis.
Legal Clinic
The UPF Legal Clinic regularly holds talks and roundtables on the protection of human rights in crisis regions.
Libraries Without Borders
The Libraries Without Borders programme, sponsored by the Catalan Development Cooperation Agency (ACCD), offers Catalan public library patrons knowledge and insight into situations of human rights violations and provides resources to take action.
Council for At-Risk Academics
The Council for At-Risk Academics, in partnership with universities and higher education institutions, provides urgently-needed help to academics in immediate danger, those forced into exile, and many who choose to work on in their home countries despite serious risks.