Universities as Drivers of Informal Diplomacy: Reflections from the KIND Conference

Discussions focused on universities as informal diplomatic actors, fostering dialogue and cross-border collaboration through grassroots, knowledge-driven exchanges.

A guest article by Dr Marina Cino Pagliarello, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow, School of Transnational Governance, European University Institute

Key Insights from the Conference

Universities were recognised as critical to "new diplomacies," including informal, science, and knowledge diplomacy. These approaches foster collaboration and trust to tackle global challenges. European University Alliances exemplify this, connecting institutions across Europe and globally, advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering cultural exchange, and promoting a shared European identity through education and innovation. Insights from the HEIDIMSCA survey, with 52 alliances representing 201 universities, highlighted their role as contributors to informal diplomacy. The European External Action Service provided some reflections into the transformative role of universities in International Cultural Relations (ICR) and Public Diplomacy, highlighting the EU’s bottom-up approach and its reliance on cultural and academic partnerships as essential strategies for addressing global challenges through cooperation. Universities must address polarized geopolitical contexts, balancing concerns over research security and ideological differences. Strengthening trust within alliances through co-creation, equal representation, and shared governance is essential for sustaining their impact and fostering collaboration.

Panels 2 and 3 of the KIND Conference showcased CIVICA as a model of informal diplomacy and European integration. Through research, teaching, and engagement, CIVICA addresses global challenges while fostering solidarity and collaboration. Initiatives like CIVICA for Ukraine support academic communities during crises, strengthening resilience and a shared European identity. CIVICA Multi-campus courses and programmes like the CIVICA European Week unite diverse students, promoting dialogue and a sense of common purpose. Joint research projects on sustainability and social inclusion, alongside scholarships and mobility programmes, enhance education access and align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). CIVICA’s origins in crises such as Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and CEU’s relocation from Hungary to Austria highlighted its ability to uphold European values amid political challenges. Its non-political stance fosters dialogue and cooperation in complex contexts. Social sciences were recognised as key to CIVICA’s impact, bridging divides and enabling ethical responses to societal challenges like artificial intelligence.

Panel 4 explored how alliances foster global cooperation, resilience, and informal diplomacy, extending beyond traditional academic roles. The European Research Council (ERC) exemplifies science diplomacy through bottom-up initiatives that foster international collaboration and promote brain circulation. Efforts to associate non-EU countries, such as Ukraine, highlight universities’ ability to build societal links globally. Resilience-building efforts in Ukraine showcased education's pivotal role during crises. The ERC’s "ERC for Ukraine" initiative provided mentorship and localised support, while alliances such as the Alliance of Ukrainian Universities sustained academic programs and mobility, rebuilding communities and maintaining connections. Alliances such as ECIU and ForThem demonstrate impactful engagement. ECIU partners with cities to address SDG-aligned challenges, while ForThem’s "labs" tackle societal issues like digital innovation and food security. These initiatives underline universities’ capacity to address crises and contribute to a more inclusive, resilient global society.

Final thoughts

The KIND Conference highlighted how university alliances like CIVICA foster cooperation, resilience, and societal progress. More than academic networks, they act as bridges across divides, addressing crises and promoting European integration and shared values. By advancing dialogue and collaboration, these alliances position higher education as a transformative force in shaping solutions to global challenges, highlighting the enduring value of knowledge as a foundation for innovation, understanding, and societal progress.