Advancing the Euro-Mediterranean University Network: Second Online Meeting Recap
8 juli 2025
On 7 July 2025, representatives from partner universities and institutions gathered online for the second meeting to advance the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean University Network dedicated to intercultural dialogue, education, and combating misinformation.
The session, this time online, chaired by Kees Hulsman and documented by Romana Moussa (Anna Lindh Foundation NL), brought together academics and civil society actors including Dr. Manoela Carpenedo (University of Groningen), Dr. Censu Caruana (University of Malta), Dr. Jaroslav Franc (Palacky University, Olomouc), Moustafa Abdalla (Wavemakers United), and Ola Olajide (GREAT The Hague).
Key topics discussed included:
- Funding opportunities: Updates on Erasmus+ mobility programs, COST Actions, and potential support from Egyptian foundations such as Sawiris and Alphe for student exchanges and intercultural initiatives.
- Thematic focus: Misinformation and youth engagement were highlighted as central themes for research, education, and collaborative activities.
- Institutional collaboration: Coordination between various university departments and expansion to include partners from Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey was explored, alongside the proposal to establish an Anna Lindh Foundation Chair at a participating university.
- Oral History Project: Development of an oral history initiative focusing on Middle Eastern migrant communities in the Netherlands, in partnership with Radboud University.
- Next steps: Preparation of a unified concept note for funding applications and communication, with plans to meet again in early September 2025.
Participants emphasized the importance of aligning national ALF network membership with institutional involvement to strengthen collaboration across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
