For the first time in Lithuania, the anniversary event of the Magna Charta Universitatum will take place in Vilnius on 14–16 October. Academic leaders from around the world – university leaders, higher education experts and students – will gather to discuss the mission of universities in a world facing geopolitical and economic challenges, political pressure, technological change and new societal expectations.
The forum is organised by Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) together with the Magna Charta Observatory, an international organisation dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the fundamental values of universities, academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The forum is held under the patronage of Prof. Habil. Dr. Vytautas Nekrošius, President of the Lithuanian Academy of Sciences.
This year’s conference theme is “Beyond Resilience: Universities as Active Value-Driven Agents in a Changing World.” The programme looks beyond universities’ ability simply to adapt to change. It will focus on academic freedom and institutional autonomy, the role of universities in strengthening democracy, security challenges, artificial intelligence, student engagement, international cooperation, and the question of how higher education can help shape the future of society.
“Universities must not only speak about their values. We must nurture and defend them,” says Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė, Rector of MRU and President of the Conference of Rectors of Lithuanian Universities.
“In today’s unsettled world, the values of academic freedom, institutional autonomy, human dignity and responsibility have never been more important. This is precisely why the Magna Charta Universitatum matters so much,” Prof. Dr. I. Žalėnienė emphasises.
Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė
Academic insights for Lithuania, the region and the world
The event will begin on 14 October at Mykolas Romeris University with a special programme dedicated to Lithuania and the region. Lithuania’s Minister of the Economy and Innovation Edvinas Grikšas will present Lithuania’s innovation ecosystem, while rectors of universities from the Baltic States will discuss the role of universities in the region. Representatives from Ukraine, Moldova and Albania will explore how universities can contribute more actively to these countries’ integration into the European Union.
Discussions will focus on the role of universities in strengthening democracy, future strategies and student engagement. The work and research agenda of the Magna Charta Observatory will also be presented, alongside practical examples of universities’ responsibility to society.
On 15 October, the main conference will bring together academic leaders and experts from around the world to discuss the political, economic, demographic and other challenges facing universities and how they can preserve their fundamental values. Representatives of universities from Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa will address the political instrumentalisation of higher education, the protection of academic freedom and institutional autonomy, and universities’ responses to changing political and societal environments.
A separate discussion will focus on security challenges, the role of universities in implementing national and international strategies, and how universities can cooperate with the state while preserving their fundamental mission.
The programme will also include discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education and society, the quality of higher education, and the role of university alliances.
New members to sign the Magna Charta Universitatum
On 16 October, Vilnius University (VU) will host a ceremonial signing during which new member universities and the European Women Rectors Association (EWORA) will sign the Magna Charta Universitatum. By becoming signatories, the institutions will commit to upholding the principles of academic freedom, institutional autonomy and universities’ responsibility to society.
The ceremony will be opened by Prof. Dr. Rimvydas Petrauskas, Rector of Vilnius University. He emphasises that in challenging times, universities must take greater responsibility for a free, sustainable and peaceful future of the world.
“In these challenging times, universities must take on greater responsibility for a free, sustainable, and peaceful future of our world. The Magna Charta Universitatum means, first and foremost, that our institutions share a common vision of universities – one based on knowledge, openness, and cooperation.”
Prof. Dr. Rimvydas Petrauskas
European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius: Universities Need a “Big Intellectual Bang”
A special guest and speaker at the event will be Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space. According to Commissioner Kubilius, the 21st century is characterised not only by unprecedented speed, but also by breakthroughs that are reshaping the boundaries of what is possible.
“The 21st century is the century of speed and of big bangs,” says European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius. “The speed and Big Bang of AI is changing our future on Earth. Big Bang in space is changing our frontiers. In order to keep peace on the European continent we need Big Bang in our defence.”
European Commissioner Andrius Kubilius
The European Commissioner emphasises that technological and material breakthroughs require an intellectual foundation:
“All the ‘material’ big bangs which we are witnessing now demand also an ‘intellectual’ Big Bang. ‘Material’ big bangs are the consequence and product of ‘intellectual’ big bangs.”
“Universities are the source and the leaders of this ‘intellectual’ big bang. Sometimes forgotten. It’s time to quickly understand – there will be no big bang in defence readiness or in space if there will be no big bang in our universities,” says A. Kubilius.