Bridging Continents – University Leadership for Transformative Euro-Latin American Collaboration – UNICA Rectors’ Seminar 2026 Report
13 July 2026
The UNICA Rectors’ Seminar 2026, hosted by the University of Alcalá, explored how universities can strengthen cooperation between Europe and Latin America in response to a rapidly changing global environment.
Bringing together rectors, academics, policymakers and representatives of international organisations, the Seminar examined the role of higher education in addressing shared challenges, including geopolitical fragmentation, democratic backsliding, technological disruption, climate change, and widening social inequalities. The discussions reaffirmed that universities are uniquely positioned to connect regions through research, education, innovation and people-to-people exchange, while contributing to more resilient, inclusive and democratic societies.
Structured around four thematic sessions, the Seminar focused on building sustainable academic partnerships; the civic role of universities through research, knowledge transfer and community engagement; innovative pedagogies in the era of artificial intelligence; and the contribution of higher education to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Speakers highlighted the need to move beyond project-based collaboration towards long-term institutional partnerships, to strengthen reciprocal knowledge production between Europe and Latin America, to develop shared approaches to the governance of artificial intelligence, and to embed democratic values and civic engagement across teaching, research and university governance.
This report provides a comprehensive synthesis of the discussions and key outcomes of the Seminar. In addition to documenting the contributions of speakers and panel discussions, it identifies the shared diagnosis emerging from each session, formulates policy implications for universities and decision-makers, and distils the main strategic messages for the future of Europe-Latin America cooperation. The report argues that universities should be recognised not only as centres of learning and research, but also as strategic partners in advancing sustainable development, democratic resilience and international cooperation through a shared Europe-Latin America knowledge space.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.