The International Association of Universities (IAU) is honoured to participate in the Second Session of the Intergovernmental Conference of the States Parties to the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning higher education, held on 25 June 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The IAU is represented onsite by IAU President Andrew Deeks, President and Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University, Australia; IAU Secretary General Hilligje van't Land; and IAU Deputy Secretary General Andreas Corcoran.

In early June 2025, the Global Forum convened at Charles University to reflect on the evolving role of universities in fostering democratic societies. In a time marked by polarization and declining trust in institutions, the Forum offered a timely space for dialogue on how Higher Education can—and must—rise to the challenge.

On 29 April 2025, the IAU joined a key policy dialogue on the future of European academic mobility and cooperation, held in Brussels under the title “The Future of Europe = The Future of Erasmus+.” Organized by the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA) in collaboration with five of its members—DAAD (Germany), HK-dir (Norway), DZS (Czech Republic), Movetia (Switzerland), and VLUHR International (Flanders)—the event brought together a wide range of higher education stakeholders to reflect on the evolution of the Erasmus+ programme.

When higher education institutions are deeply rooted in their national contexts, it can be challenging to see beyond familiar frameworks. Local policy concerns, cultural norms, and political pressures all shape institutional priorities—and rightly so. But without engaging with global perspectives, how can institutions effectively reflect on their role in a rapidly changing world?