On 29 June, Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė, Rector of Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) and President of the Lithuanian University Rectors' Conference, participated in the inaugural Baltic Rectors' Forum in Gdańsk. The event brought together more than 100 university leaders, as well as representatives of academia, government, and business from nine countries: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Ukraine.
The central highlight of the forum was the signing of the Baltic Rectors' Declaration, also known as the Gdańsk Declaration. The document marks the beginning of a new chapter in academic cooperation across the Baltic Sea region.
"It is symbolic that the Baltic Rectors' Forum has convened in Gdańsk—the birthplace of the Solidarity (Solidarność) movement, which broke through the Iron Curtain of Soviet totalitarianism and inspired the nations of Central and Eastern Europe in their successful struggle for freedom. The Forum's Declaration is more than a symbolic statement. It represents our shared commitment to strengthening academic leadership and working together to address the most pressing challenges of our time," said Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė, Rector of Mykolas Romeris University.
Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė is not only one of the Declaration's signatories but also a member of the Forum's Scientific Committee. She represented both Mykolas Romeris University and the Lithuanian University Rectors' Conference.
The Forum devoted significant attention to the role of universities in strengthening European security, fostering innovation, building resilient societies, and mobilising the academic community to address geopolitical, economic, energy, technological, and climate-related challenges.
"Today, universities can no longer limit themselves to creating and disseminating knowledge. They are becoming responsible centres where solutions are developed for society, the state, and the wider region. A strategic dialogue among academic leaders on the future of the Baltic Sea region will help harness the full potential of research for common goals, strengthen the resilience of our countries and societies, and promote sustainable development," emphasised Prof. Dr. Inga Žalėnienė.
In the Gdańsk Declaration, university leaders from across the Baltic Sea region committed themselves to strengthening long-term partnerships between higher education institutions, research organisations, public authorities, and businesses.
The Declaration also outlines plans to develop joint study programmes, promote student and academic staff mobility, and expand cooperation in strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, green energy, and other key areas. Furthermore, it highlights the contribution of universities to evidence-based public policymaking.
The signatories also agreed that the Baltic Rectors' Forum will be held annually, with each edition hosted by a different city in the Baltic Sea region. The aim is to establish a permanent platform for cooperation among universities.
The inaugural Baltic Rectors' Forum marks the launch of a new regional initiative designed to unite universities in joint efforts to enhance the Baltic Sea region's competitiveness, security, and sustainable development.
MRU's participation in this process once again confirms the University's active role in the international academic community and its commitment to contributing to future-oriented solutions that are important not only for Lithuania but for the entire Baltic Sea region.
More information about the Baltic Rectors' Forum.
