On 23 June, citizens of the United Kingdom voted in a referendum to leave the European Union.
While recognizing and respecting the democratic right of UK citizens to decide on their country's membership in the EU, UNICA President Prof. Luciano Saso and Members of the Steering Committee express their concern over the impact the possible withdrawal of the UK may have on the future of European and international academic cooperation and the consequences it may lead to with regard to the participation and involvement of British higher education institutions in European programmes.
The results of the UK's vote showed a divide in the British society, with approximately 75% of young Britons voting to stay in the EU. To them, the Leave vote means anxiety over their future prospects and a feeling of instability and injustice. It is our responsibility as European universities to make sure these young people continue to feel part of European community and to ensure British students are welcome at universities in the EU.
UNICA takes great pride in bringing together universities from within and outside the EU and we are certain that our UK member university King's College London will remain part of the UNICA family. We are also confident that we will continue our long-standing and fruitful collaboration with other British universities and organisations, including the National Union of Students UK, in the framework of Erasmus+, Intelligent Energy Europe, and Horizon 2020 programmes.