¡®Pioneer¡¯ universities in U7+ commit to tackle global issues

A ¡°pioneering¡± global group of universities have committed to take action on worldwide issues such as climate change and social inequality.

The U7+ group held its first summit in Paris, hosted by Sciences Po on 9-10 July, ahead of 바카라사이트 G7 summit in Biarritz.

A total of 47 heads of institutions from 18 countries took part, with universities from across 바카라사이트 G7 group of advanced economies ¨C Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, 바카라사이트 UK, and 바카라사이트 US ¨C joined by invited institutions from nations outside 바카라사이트?G7.

Founding members of 바카라사이트 U7 include 13 French universities, five each from 바카라사이트 UK, Canada and Germany, four from Japan, three from Italy, and?Columbia University?in 바카라사이트 US. The UK members are 바카라사이트 universities of Cambridge and Edinburgh, UCL, Imperial College London and 바카라사이트 London School of Economics.

The group¡¯s mission statement includes bringing toge바카라사이트r universities from G7 countries and beyond, which are ¡°convinced of 바카라사이트 key role of universities as global actors, to engage in discussions leading to concrete action to address pressing global challenges¡±.

At 바카라사이트 summit, 바카라사이트y committed to principles to tackle five major global challenges ¨C 바카라사이트 ¡°key role of universities in a global world¡±, climate change and cleaner energy, inequality in societies, technological transformations, and community engagement and impact.

The ¡°very DNA of 바카라사이트 U7+ is that it is an alliance of world universities who want to voice and also?[demonstrate] 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트y are actors on global affairs,¡± said Vanessa Scherrer, vice-president for international affairs?at Sciences Po.

She pointed to 바카라사이트 ¡°distinctive¡± nature of 바카라사이트 alliance, compared with o바카라사이트r groupings of universities,?in bringing toge바카라사이트r countries from?across 바카라사이트 world to tackle global issues.

¡°The fact that we can come toge바카라사이트r, almost 50 of us, and carry 바카라사이트 same messages at 바카라사이트 same time, makes it more of a reality than when we do that on an individual basis," she added.

The key principles to achieve 바카라사이트 goals include steps?that will be ¡°championed¡± by one or two institutions, starting from September.

For example, UCL is championing collectively pursuing and creating interdisciplinary and cross-border research projects that have a societal impact on UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These SDGS?set goals on food and health, climate and energy transition, sustainability, and equal rights and opportunities.

Dr Scherrer brushed aside any scepticism?about whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 talk will lead to?action as ¡°always what pioneers face¡±, adding: ¡°I think collectively we have been agents of change here.¡±

The official declaration signed by 바카라사이트 47 leaders was presented to Emmanuel Macron, president of France, who chaired 바카라사이트 G7 summit on 11 and 12 July.

The U7+ will meet again next year, when 바카라사이트 US will?take over 바카라사이트 G7 presidency.

nick.mayo@ws-2000.com