The role of students in the European Universities Initiative in Coimbra conference
UNITA 08 of january of 2024
The European Students’ Union (ESU) is the umbrella organization of 45 National Unions of Students from 40 countries, with the aim to represent all students in Europe.
Within ESU, the "Conference of the Student Bodies of the European Alliances of higher education institutions" was created in 2023: a place where the students’ representatives from all the European Alliances would be able to share their experiences, struggles and best practices to always better defend students rights.
The Conference is consulted in the drafting of ESU policy documents related to the European Universities Initiative and other possible transnational initiatives related to higher education. The final goal is to steer the future of European Education, promoting the development of the whole educational environment in every single aspect.
The first meeting of the Conference took place in Coimbra from the 7th to the 10th of December 2023: UNITA Alliance participated actively in the discussion, in particular by showcasing the role of students within the European Universities Initiative and their contribution to the development of the European Higher Education Area and to EU as a whole.
Pro-Rector for International Cooperation, Célia Nunes and Head UNITA Office, Francisco do Adro´s contribution focused on the challenges faced by students and the role they can play in alliances of European universities, with special emphasis on UNITA.