Leaders reaffirm shared values and endorse a dynamic, forward-looking agenda during a Governing Board meeting in Norway.

The recent Bergen meeting of the Governing Board (GB), joined for the first time by the newly created International Advisory Board (IAB), marked an important step for the alliance, as members endorsed a new strategic framework aimed at long-term impact, innovation, and agility.

This also represented the first-ever joint physical meeting between the GB and the IAB, an important milestone for the alliance’s collaborative governance model.

At the heart of the discussions was a powerful reaffirmation: our alliance stands united in upholding academic freedom, freedom of speech, and a core dedication to scholarly excellence. These principles, timeless yet especially resonant in today’s challenging global context, remain foundational to our identity and mission.

Reflecting on identity and deepening impact
The meeting encouraged a strategic reflection on how the alliance’s identity might evolve to meet future challenges. Discussions focused on deepening impact, embracing interdisciplinary collaboration, and supporting Europe’s critical transitions through quality-driven initiatives. Members endorsed a vision that balances strategic alignment with agility, innovation, and bottom-up collaboration.

Key priorities included:

• Broadening the alliance’s societal impact and stakeholder engagement.
• Prioritizing initiatives that create added value beyond individual institutions.
• Strengthening governance structures to support responsive and adaptive decision-making.

Fostering innovation through collaboration and expert insight

Directors backed a prototype culture that encourages experimentation with new models, reinforcing the alliance as a flexible, enabling platform. The boards also called for continued excellence across all joint efforts and emphasized the importance of complementarity among member institutions.

The richness of the input provided by the International Advisory Board was especially appreciated and proved highly valuable in shaping the discussion. The Secretariat will work to ensure ongoing liaison with the IAB and to capitalize fully on its insight and expertise moving forward.

Next steps and shared commitment
Looking ahead, the alliance will begin exploratory work with the Secretariat to enhance agile governance mechanisms. The Bergen meeting underscored a shared commitment to lead with bold ideas, readiness for change, and a collective focus on visibility, relevance, and long-term impact.