Background and Rationale

In April 2024, former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta presented a report to the European Council on the state of the EU’s single market, including various proposals to make it “fit for purpose” in the 21^st century.

Recall the Letta report: “One potential avenue for this exploration lies in the addition of a fifth freedom to the existing four, to enhance research, innovation and education in the Single Market. The fifth freedom entails embedding research and innovation drivers at the core of the Single Market, thereby fostering an ecosystem where knowledge diffusion propels both economic vitality, societal advancement and cultural enlightenment.”

While he called for several elements of the 5^th Freedom of Knowledge, they are not discussed in equal terms in the EU institutions. Research and Innovation is on the focus of the discussions, while the role of European Universities is far less visible/audible.

From the Draghi report the most critical message is the urgency and call for action. The EU cannot lose time. The EU competitiveness cannot be restored with policies nor with investment to the industry, economy alone. It starts with the skilled workforce at all levels and all sectors. While the demography trend at global scale and the technology trend such as the Generative AI potential impact on white collar professionals is discussed as a threat, there are opportunities too. The transition all kind in of sectors require new talent at scale and this need investment to education and new distinctive competitive advantage is not given by research and innovation.  To accelerate the return on investment depends on the deployment of new technologies and can be done by top level professionals in all segments of economy, but also in ministries, regional and local authorities. It is the case for energy, digital transition, the housing sector, the service sectors, and professional in the bottlenecks such as the authorization.

The conference will address the pathways to improve innovative careers as critical element of transition of European economies and public services.

Bringing together influential organisations from east and west, north and south, the debate will explore the pivotal role of universities to secure the skilled talent resource across sectors both for economy and public services.

Strategic Relevance

This conference is timely. The Commission Policy Work Programme will shape the 5^th freedom, via several policies and draft legislative initiatives. While the ambition and the expectations are high, the freedom alone will not result in a change. It depends on the local university stakeholders’ courage and ambition. 

Key objectives

• To elaborate the role of universities to support the EU ambition on competitiveness.
• To discuss the evolution of the 5^th Freedom for the Education, and understand the hindering factors.
• To highlight the opportunities for the talent entering the labour market from universities.
• To support the articulation of a Science|Business report that reflects key recommendations and perspectives from the speakers and participants.

Expected outcomes

The main outcome will be a report coordinated by Science|Business, reflecting the discussions, insights and recommendations of key stakeholders. This paper will be disseminated broadly to inform the UNICA membership and the European level stakeholders.