The U7+ brings together universities from G7 countries and beyond, who are committed to academic freedom and scholarly values and convinced of the key role of universities as global actors, to engage in discussions leading to concrete action to address pressing global challenges. Our students, faculty and staff are instrumental in the definition and implementation of the U7+ actions.
The first summit, held in Paris in the context of the 2019 G7 summit, was a unique opportunity for 48 university leaders from 18 countries to discuss a common agenda and establish a framework for universities’ action in today’s global landscape.
Partner University Presidents of the U7+ Alliance at the International U7 Summit in Paris, July 9-10, 2019, Sciences Po
PRINCIPLE 1
We recognize that the U7+ embodies our common will to identify and address the global challenges our contemporary societies face in order to accelerate the development of solutions. We commit to pursuing joint action through the U7+, including meeting each year in the context of the G7 process, so that our actions can weigh in the discussions and contribute to making positive change a reality.
PRINCIPLE 2
We recognize that our universities have a distinctive responsibility to train and nurture responsible and active citizens who will contribute to society, from the local to the global level.
Increasing the scope of our partnerships so that our institutions work with a wide variety of actors in their communities and beyond.
Championed by the University of British Columbia.
16 U7+ Universities will take part in this action.
Emphasizing the educational and civic value of community engagement.
Championed by Sciences Po and the University of British Columbia.
12 U7+ Universities will take part in this action.
Underlining the importance of exposure to international experience for our students.
Championed by Universita Bocconi and Sciences Po.
29 U7+ Universities will take part in this action.
PRINCIPLE 3
We recognize that our universities have a major role to play in addressing the environmental issues and challenges to sustainability such as climate change, biodiversity and energy transition. This should include leading by example on our own campuses.
Promoting that all students of our universities will have access to courses related to climate, biodiversity and sustainability.
Championed by the University of Toronto and Paris Sciences et Lettres
28 U7+ Universities will take part in this action
Improving energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions from 2018 levels by 2030, and at a minimum developing and publishing a specific target for this reduction by 2020.
Championed by: University of Edinburgh and University of Toronto.
18 U7+ universities will take part in this action.
PRINCIPLE 4
We recognize that universities have a distinctive and leading role to play regarding equality and inclusiveness in the world, and in combating polarization in society.
Championed by: Ashesi University, Imperial College London, and Sciences Po.
27 U7+ universities will take part in this action.
Developing students’ inclusive leadership and global citizenship competencies
Championed by Université d’Ottawa and Université de Bordeaux.
13 U7+ universities will take part in this action.
Ensuring that our universities continue to reach beyond the scope of academia, to engage with the wider public in local communities and organisations.
Championed by: McGill University.
23 U7+ universities will take part in this action.
Championed by University of Naples Federico II.
24 U7+ universities will take part in this action.
PRINCIPLE 5
To engage with stakeholders and solve complex issues of global relevance we recognize that universities must promote interdisciplinary research and learning, in particular bridging in our research and teaching between social sciences, humanities, the life sciences and STEM disciplines.
Collectively pursuing and creating interdisciplinary and cross-border research projects that have a societal impact on the areas captured by the UN Sustainable Development Goals,
Championed by University College London.
29 U7+ universities will take part in this action.
Creating pluridisciplinary core technology competency curricula, open to all students across our programs, and that will be counted towards pre-requisites within a degree.
Championed by Ecole Polytechnique.
11 U7+ universities will take part in this action.
Championed by: Université d’Ottawa.
7 U7+ universities will take part in this action.
Exercising strong leadership, alongside tech companies and governments, in developing and promoting guidelines about how data sciences and digital innovation should be handled
Championed by Université de Montréal.
11 U7+ universities will take part in this action.
PRINCIPLE 6
We recognize that the U7+ has the power to serve as a lab to consolidate best practices that can be shared both within our network and more broadly with universities and similar institutions worldwide for inspiration.