Canada and Europe have cultivated a longstanding, multidimensional partnership rooted in common democratic values, pluralism, a commitment to multilateralism, and a shared commitment to research excellence, innovation, and scientific diplomacy. In July 2024, the partnership entered a new era with Canada’s formal association to Horizon Europe Pillar II, granting Canadian institutions access to the EU’s premier research and innovation funding programme, which marked a turning point in bilateral relations.

In today’s fragmented and often volatile geopolitical landscape – marked by rising authoritarianism, disinformation, and declining trust in democratic institutions – such value-driven alliances gain renewed significance. As global science becomes increasingly shaped by geostrategic considerations and international collaboration faces new pressures, focusing on Higher Education Institutions is timely and strategic. Universities are not only engines of knowledge production but also key contributors to civic engagement, global dialogue, and societal progress.

They play a unique role in shaping democratic citizenship, driving innovation, and addressing global challenges, offering distinct opportunities for international relations grounded in scientific collaboration and evidence-based dialogue.

Against this backdrop, the UNICA Days 2026 propose to spotlight the EU–Canada relationship through the lens of higher education, research, and scientific diplomacy by highlighting achievements, showcasing opportunities, and identifying challenges within the transatlantic education and research landscape.

The event aims to stimulate forward-looking dialogue on key issues such as research funding and innovation, and the role of universities as global actors in science diplomacy. By convening diverse stakeholders – including policymakers, university leaders, researchers, and civil society actors – the event aspires to enhance new and sustainable partnerships.

UNICA Days will serve not only as a celebration of shared institutional ties and common values, but also as a strategic moment to strengthen transatlantic cooperation in higher education and research and address common global challenges.