Call to Strengthen International Higher Education and Research Collaboration

VLIRUOS is one of the initiators behind a joint position paper by the Forum on Cooperation for Sustainable Development in Higher Education Group (S-DHG): "Reinforcing Global Partnerships in Higher Education and Research: The world needs the EU and the EU needs the world." 

🔗 Read the full position paper here

As part of the European Commission’s preparation for its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028–2034, the partners of the Forum on Cooperation for Sustainable Development in Higher Education Group (S-DHG) drafted a joint position paper drawing on the collective experience of leading organisations in funding and implementing international development programmes in higher education and research collaboration. The paper calls on EU institutions and national governments to embed higher education and research more strongly in the EU’s foreign policy—particularly within the framework of the Global Gateway Strategy.

Failing to prioritise these partnerships risks stifling innovation and weakening the EU’s strategic position in an increasingly interconnected and unpredictable world.

For VLIRUOS, endorsing this position reflects our core vision: global partnerships are key to creating a better future for all.

This paper was co-developed and co-signed by the following organisations: AASU, ACU, British Council, DAAD, Danida Fellowship Centre, EDUFI, ERASuD, HK-dir, OBREAL, OeAD, The Guild, UNIMED and VLIRUOS.