Building bridges between society, public policy and well-being

25 June 2024
  • EUniWell

  • International

The European University of Wellbeing (EUniWell) is organizing its University Presidents' Assembly and Mayors' Meeting, from June 26 to 28 at Nantes Université. These crucial meetings bring together mayoral representatives, university presidents and leaders from the Alliance, who aim to improve well-being through research, education and civic engagement.
Logo baseline Euniwell
Logo Euniwell © EUniWell‎‎
Contenu central

Assembly of university presidents

This three-day event is an opportunity for all participants to exchange around fundamental issues
related to the objectives developed by EUniWell, the European University of Wellbeing. Several
sessions and workshops are organized encouraging discussions on innovation and collaboration at
local level, joint educational programs, alignment with the European higher education agenda and
implementing sustainable practices to become a green university.

Nantes Université's vision is aligned with EUniWell's mission to shape a better future for all through research, education, innovation and societal engagement. It is an honor to host the 7th EUniWell University Presidents' Assembly and the EUniWell Cities Mayors' Meeting, and to welcome our peers and friends from across the Alliance. This event is an opportunity to reflect on our impact and take long-term directions that will enable us to confirm our position as a leading European player contributing to the well-being and active transformation of society.

Carine Bernault, President of Nantes Université, is delighted with the event.

By building bridges between civil society, local authorities and academia, EUniWell aims to foster
wellbeing and sustainability in Europe and beyond, and strives to create a collaborative environment that
fosters innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time.

The participants at the EUniWell University Presidents' Assembly:

  • University of Birmingham director of global engagement Aleksandra Cavoski,
  • Nantes Université president Carine Bernault and her vice-presidents, Olivier Grasset, Isabelle
    Richard and Julie Morère,
  • University of Cologne vice-president Beatrix Busse,
  • the president of the University of Florence Alessandra Petrucci, and her vice-president, Giorgia
    Giovannetti,
  • the president of Inalco Jean-François Huchet, and his vice-presidents, Gilles Forlot, Rima Sleiman, Il-Il
    Yatziv-Malibert,
  • the president of the University of Konstanz Katharina Holzinger and her vice-president, Rüdiger
    Wilhemli,
  • Linnaeus University president Peter Aronsson and university dean Daniel Alvunger,
  • Murcia University president José Luján Alcaraz and vice-president Pascual Cantos Gómez,
  • Santiago University president Antonio López and vice-presidents
    María José López Couso, Belén Méndez Naya,
  • the dean of Semmelweis University Miklós Kellermayer,
  • the president of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kiyv Volodymyr Bugrov, and his vice
    presidents
  • the president of the student council, Maurizio Häfele.

Developing well-being in cities

On June 27, municipal leaders from each city represented in the EUniWell Alliance, along with EUniWell university leaders, will gather for the second EUniWell Mayors' Meeting to strengthen relationships between European universities and their local communities. The event is designed to encourage the exchange of best practice at local level. It will include discussions around the theme of well-being: European universities and their communities, and strengthening civic engagement and innovation between EUniWell and cities.

In the second part of the mayors' meeting, participants will take part in workshops covering topics such as well-being and urban identity, citizen engagement and tackling climate change.

As Mayor of Nantes, I'm proud to welcome city and university leaders from all over Europe to the EUniWell Mayors' Meeting. This event aims to promote international dialogue and deepen links between the education sector, cities and the general public. By creating a network of cities committed to integrating well-being, sustainability and civic engagement into their public policies, we strive to improve the quality of life of our residents and help set a European standard for participatory urban development.

Johanna Rolland, Mayor of Nantes, who is taking part in the event, stresses the importance of international cooperation.

Representatives from the city councils of Budapest, Cologne, Kalmar, Kiev, Constance, Nantes, Santiago-
de-Compostela and Växjö are also expected to attend.

The city councils of Budapest, Cologne, Kalmar, Kiev, Constance, Nantes, Santiago-
de-Compostelle and Växjö are also expected to attend.