Vilnius welcomed 15 new signatories to the Magna Charta Universitatum, including three universities from war-torn Ukraine. The formal signing ceremony, held at Vilnius University (VU) on 16 October, marked the conclusion of a three-day international gathering of the academic community, organised for the first time in Lithuania by Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) in cooperation with the Magna Charta Observatory (MCO). The ceremony also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the MCO and the European Women Rectors Association (EWORA).
Joining the Magna Charta Universitatum, revised in 2020, is more than a symbolic gesture. It represents a public commitment by universities to uphold academic freedom, institutional autonomy and responsibility to society. These principles are particularly important today, as universities face challenges arising from wars, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change.
Three Ukrainian Universities Among the New Signatories
The new signatories include three universities from Ukraine, two each from Türkiye, Kazakhstan and Germany, as well as universities from Hungary, Spain, Italy, Georgia, Serbia and Slovakia.
The accession of the Ukrainian universities is particularly significant. Despite the challenges caused by Russia's war, these institutions continue to defend academic freedom, maintain their activities and strengthen their ties with the international university community.
Speaking on behalf of all the new signatories, Prof. Maryna Grynova, Rector of Poltava V. G. Korolenko National Pedagogical University, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the event and become part of the Magna Charta Universitatum community.
The Rector noted that academic freedom is facing increasingly complex challenges in many parts of the world, including climate change, the development of artificial intelligence and wars. She emphasised that universities today must do more than simply transmit knowledge. Their mission is to educate independent, critical thinkers capable of evaluating information, recognising manipulation and making responsible decisions. Prof. Grynova also thanked Lithuania for its continued support for Ukraine.
The Role of Universities in Shaping Europe's Future
Opening the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Rimvydas Petrauskas, Rector of Vilnius University, emphasised that today's challenges require universities to assume greater responsibility for building a free, sustainable and peaceful future.
"In these challenging times, it is clear that universities must take on greater responsibility for a free, sustainable, and peaceful future. The Magna Charta Universitatum means, first and foremost, that our institutions share a common vision of universities – one based on knowledge, openness, and cooperation. It means that we are united by our shared mission – to uphold the independence and authority of universities so that the voice of scholarship is heard," the VU Rector emphasised.
The participants were also welcomed by Prof. Giovanni Molari, President of the Magna Charta Observatory and Rector of the University of Bologna.
Delivering the keynote address, Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space, focused on the role of universities in strengthening European security. He stressed that progress in the defence sector requires not only investment in technology but also scientific research, new ideas and talented professionals.
"There will be no material ‘big bang’ in defence without an ‘intellectual big bang’ in defence, we depend on our universities. And we depend on you for defence innovation. We have some of the best universities in the world. Some of the best technical universities. Some of the best researchers in the world. And brightest students. Universities are where ideas are born and where innovation starts. They are the birthplace of the next generation of start ups in defence and space," the Commissioner stated.
MCO and EWORA to Strengthen Cooperation
The ceremony also included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Magna Charta Observatory and the European Women Rectors Association. Through this agreement, the two organisations formalised their commitment to closer cooperation in higher education.
Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė, Rector of Mykolas Romeris University, President of the Lithuanian University Rectors' Conference (LURK) and member of the EWORA Board of Directors, emphasised that the memorandum is more than a formal agreement. It reflects the organisations' shared understanding of the role of higher education in society.
"As our Memorandum states, we share a belief that higher education is essential to building a more prosperous, healthy and stable world, and a vision in which quality higher education is available to everyone," said Prof. Dr. I. Žalėnienė.
Academic Freedom Unites the International Community
The anniversary event concluded with remarks by Prof. Liviu Matei, Vice-President of the Magna Charta Observatory Governing Council and Professor at King's College London. Reflecting on the discussions held throughout the conference, he highlighted the importance of shared academic values.
"Europe is emerging as a leading example of academic freedom. Forty-nine countries have come together around shared fundamental values that align almost entirely with those of the Magna Charta. Even more importantly, we have agreed not only on these values themselves, but also on a common understanding of what they mean. It is this shared understanding that brings 49 European countries together," said Prof. L. Matei.
The documents signed in Vilnius marked the most significant outcome of the three-day international gathering. Seventeen universities committed themselves to the principles of the Magna Charta Universitatum, while the MCO and EWORA agreed to strengthen their cooperation.
Organised for the first time in Lithuania by MRU in cooperation with the MCO, the anniversary gathering brought together university representatives to discuss academic freedom, the future of higher education and universities' responsibility to society. The agreements signed in Vilnius transformed these discussions into concrete international commitments.
European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius' speech.
MRU Rector Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė's speech.
The photo gallery is available here.