02.10.2024 Successful EUPeace Autumn Meeting 2024

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EUPeace Autumn Meetings: Shaping the Future of Peace and Justice in Europe

The European University Alliance EUPeace held its highly anticipated Autumn Meetings on September 26-27, 2024, at Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid, Spain. This pivotal event brought together the full leadership of EUPeace, including the Governing Board, Education Board, Steering Committee, and, for the first time, the newly established Senate. The meeting aimed to chart the Alliance’s future direction in promoting peace, justice, and inclusive societies across Europe.

For the first time in EUPeace’s history, the newly formed Senate convened, representing key stakeholders from the Alliance’s nine member universities. The Senate, composed of students, doctoral candidates, early-career researchers, faculty, and administrative staff, played a central role in discussions. As Governing Board Chair, UMR Deputy President Evelyn Korn summed up: "This milestone meeting brings together the Senate and key governing bodies of EUPeace, defining roles and possibilities for impact,  ensuring that diverse voices continue to shape the Alliance’s pathway. I am already looking forward to the coming work, leading up to the next gathering in April 2025." 

A central topic of the meeting was the establishment of EUPeace as a collaborative research powerhouse. The Governing Board and Steering Committee advanced plans for four dedicated Research Hubs, each addressing a major global challenge: “Security and Conflict Transformation,” “Climate Science and Just Transition,” “Inclusive Health,” and “Migration and Human Rights.” These hubs will connect researchers and laboratories across Europe, fostering joint projects that aim to directly contribute to peace and justice.

In parallel, the Education Board concentrated on the further development of the EUPeace European Track, a groundbreaking collection of course options designed to offer students from various disciplines access to EUPeace resources. The programme aims to foster intercultural and interdisciplinary collaboration, providing students with valuable theoretical and practical knowledge on inclusion, peace, and justice. Upon graduation, participants will have gained a deep understanding of these core principles—key components of the Alliance’s mission.

Beyond research and education, the Autumn Meetings also featured strategic discussions involving university leaders, such as rectors, vice-rectors, presidents, academic leaders and students, on the long-term governance and structure of EUPeace. One of the central topics was the potential creation of a dedicated legal entity for the Alliance, which would ensure its long-term stability and impact in Europe and beyond.

As EUPeace continues to expand its influence, this gathering marked a crucial step forward in the Alliance’s mission to build a more peaceful, just, and inclusive future for Europe and the world.