Our Values

In the context of both the Anthropocene and the expansion of knowledge society, we live in a time of pressing planetary and democratic challenges that require massive and novel coordinated scientific and societal efforts on an unprecedented scale.

The EUTOPIA Alliance takes the opportunity and responsibility to assume a leading role in an era when the destiny of the planet is preci­sely in the hands of human beings. EUTOPIA engages in this role at both regional and international level and the members of the alliance take the responsibility to respect, protect and realise these values in the building of the European University, with the surrounding territory and at a global scale.

In coherence with the European values of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the following set of values-principles is meant to become part of the alliance’s common culture and points of reference for the joint activities, the co-construction processes and all our deliverables, as well as our outreach to the entire society.
 

• EXCELLENCE AS A PURPOSE OF OUR TEACHING, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION MODELS

The universities of the EUTOPIA Alliance commit to always improving the stan­dards of teaching, research, managing and innovation and to seek excel­lence in their local environments and in their relationship and partnership with one another. In a non-competitive but collaborative way, supporting innovative teaching methods, novel educational frameworks, bold research ideas, the universities of the alliance will pursue together in a confident way the highest quality for their students, faculty staff and stakeholders.

 

• INCLUSION

Inclusion at the academic level means that both the pursuit of knowledge and the generation of knowledge should be accessible to all participants in the academic life of the university - students and staff. A culture of inclusion is one where: Diversity is recognised, understood and valued; Cross-cultural dialogue and cross-cultural sensitivity are encouraged; Leaders are role mo­dels for inclusive behaviours; There is an environment which is flexible and adaptable and facilitates meaningful interactions; There is transparency of and accountability for our actions.

 

• SUSTAINABLE, RESPONSIBLE AND ETHICAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE PLANET

EUTOPIA is to play an active leading role in the pursuit of sustainability as reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals by the United Nations. Accordingly, the academic endeavour of the alliance is to be responsible and ethical toward mankind and the planet, within the general framework of the challenge-driven approach defined by the European Commission.

 

• COOPERATION AND OPENNESS

In the context of academic, financial, organizational and staffing autonomy in relation to their founders and other organisations, EUTOPIA encourages the establishment of sincere partnerships with these organisations based on equality of partners which enables universities to render high-quality ser­vices to the society.

 

• ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN SEARCH FOR TRUTH

Building on the principle of university autonomy from the Magna Charta Universitatum, the members of the alliance acknowledge and defend intel­lectual and ethical freedom. While some threats seem to appear in local en­vironments, EUTOPIA members engage to protect and cherish academic freedom both in their universities and all around the globe.