Posted on 04 July 2018
The 15th Transatlantic Dialogue was held at the European University Institute on 3 July. The heads of over twenty universities, as well as senior representatives of university associations from both sides of the Atlantic attended the summit, which addressed ‘Higher education and its communities: openness, democracy and engagement’.
Recent political developments across Europe and North America suggest that the combination of holding a higher education degree and living in university cities can prove to be an effective bulwark against the spread of populism and nationalism. This year, the Transatlantic Dialogue sought to examine the civic role of universities.
Looking at various case studies presented by participants, the summit discussed how the contribution of higher education institutions to political and societal debates can be strengthened. Fundamental to this debate were questions of how universities can be initiators of socio-cultural change, and how they can model open, democratic and engaged communities.
Participants in the 15th Transatlantic Dialogue Conference at the EUI
The event was jointly organised by the European University Association, Universities Canada and the American Council on Education, and managed onsite at the Badia Fiesolana by the School of Transnational Governance.