From 16 to 19 June 2026, Erasmus Student Network (ESN) participated in the Coimbra Group Annual Conference and General Assembly, hosted by the University of Granada, Spain. Bringing together nearly 350 representatives of universities, partner organisations and students from across Europe, the conference provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen collaboration between higher education institutions and student representatives while discussing the future of international higher education. This year's conference explored the theme "Transforming the local and social environment through Research and Innovation", highlighting the role universities play in driving positive societal change through collaboration and engagement with their local communities.
For ESN, this theme closely reflects our mission. As a grassroots student organisation, we work directly with international and mobile students in their local communities, supporting their integration, promoting intercultural understanding and contributing to more inclusive and accessible internationalisation. Every day, our volunteers help transform international mobility from an academic opportunity into a social experience, connecting students with their host communities and fostering active participation in campus and local life.
This year's programme included the joint session "EU values shaping inclusive international universities - practical resources and tools from the EUniverse project", organised by the Coimbra Group Academic Exchange & Mobility and Equality & Diversity Working Groups. The session showcased practical resources developed through the EUniverse project, which aims to strengthen inclusive internationalisation in higher education. As a project partner, ESN contributes the student perspective to the development of these resources, ensuring they respond to the realities and needs of internationally mobile students. The discussion reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between universities and student organisations in embedding European values, inclusion and diversity into internationalisation strategies.
The partnership between ESN and the Coimbra Group continues to grow stronger each year. As part of the Annual Conference programme, representatives of ESN local sections and Coimbra Group universities once again came together for the annual meeting dedicated to strengthening collaboration between student organisations and international offices.
This year's meeting, titled "From dialogue to action: Strengthening ESN-University collaboration for inclusive student mobility", focused on identifying practical ways to deepen cooperation at the local level. Through interactive discussions, participants reflected on what successful collaboration looks like, the barriers that still exist, and the actions that universities and ESN sections can take together to better support international students throughout their mobility journey. The session created a space for open dialogue between ESN volunteers and representatives of Coimbra Group universities, recognising that effective support for international students is built on strong partnerships.
Another important milestone of the conference was the launch of the Poitiers-Granada Declaration on the Collaboration between Coimbra Group Universities and Cities. Building on the original Poitiers Declaration adopted in 2016, the renewed framework reaffirms the shared responsibility of universities and their local communities in fostering inclusive, innovative and sustainable development.
The Coimbra Group Annual Conference once again demonstrated the value of bringing together universities, student organisations and partners to shape the future of international higher education. For ESN, the event reinforced the importance of maintaining an active student voice in discussions on internationalisation, while providing an opportunity to strengthen long-standing partnerships with Coimbra Group universities.
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