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[The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) 2. European Universities Initiative - Building the universities of the future European Universities Initiative - Building the universities of the future ============================================================================ General 8 November 2019 “Today’s event marks the beginning of a new chapter. Through European Universities, we have together created a before and an after in European Higher Education.” Themis Christophidou On Thursday 7th November 2019, the CIVIS Alliance attended the kick-off event of the **European Universities initiative** organised by the European Commission in Brussels. On this occasion, Rectors, Vice-Rectors, Presidents, Vice-Presidents and project leaders of the partner universities came together to work and discuss the way forward for the future of the European University initiative. Themis Christophidou, Director-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture of the European Commission opened the event with a powerful speech in front of over **800 education enthusiasts**. ***“European universities will make learning accessible for all, will be fit for the digital era, will share common EU values and serve society and people’s wellbeing. Let’s learn together, let’s innovate together.”*** Policy makers, representatives of the 17 European Universities, students and academics explored the opportunities given by the European University Initiative. During this event, **Professor Astrid Söderbergh Widding**, President of **Stockholm University** represented the CIVIS Alliance and shared CIVIS’ vision on the University of the Future: stressing on the need to tackle global challenges at local, European and global levels through a strong collaboration between the partner universities and stakeholders from our cities, territories, and from the African and Mediterranean regions. Finnish Minister for Culture and Science, Hanna Kosonen closed the event with inspiring remarks: ***“Our goals must be ambitious, but also inclusive. They must address our shared challenges and our diverse national realities. We must ensure ownership by all.”*** Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/martin-knoll1-800x600.jpg?token=2dd28f1c93ba3eaf2cd32b2380fdc009)Martin Knoll: a 'civizen' working to build bridges between science and society People 26 April 2026 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/martin-knoll-a-civizen-working-to-build-bridges-between-science-and-society) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/2026-04-staff-week-wiii-coms-unit-39-800x600.jpg?token=6d8c84ff7139d0bf2f7103fb27558509)CIVIS launches new job space for early-stage researchers across Europe and Africa Research 23 April 2026 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/connecting-talent-with-opportunities-civis-launches-new-job-space-to-connect-early-stage-researchers-across-europe-and-africa) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/2026-01-10-145317-800x600.jpg?token=bdddc6c1d1da89737850041c5fc0c227)Musicians from all over CIVIS come together in Madrid to promote inclusiveness Connect 22 April 2026 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/musicians-from-all-over-civis-come-together-in-madrid-to-promote-inclusiveness) [Discover all our stories](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) [ Launch of Kick-off meeting of CIVIS in Rome ](< https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/kick-off-of-civis-in-rome >) [ Kick off meeting of the European Universities initiative by the European Commission ](< https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/european-universities-initiative-building-the-universities-of-the-future >) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). 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