Values and responsibility guide global cooperation in higher education

Around one hundred Finnish project actors and a small group of partners from the Global South gathered for EDUFI’s coordinators’ meeting on 9–10 October 2025. The event focused on the future of responsible higher education cooperation.

The two-day meeting offered an opportunity to pause and seek a shared direction in a time marked by increasing geopolitical tensions, a narrowing space for academic freedom, and the need to promote sustainable development through educational cooperation.

Balancing openness and security

In her address, Tiina Vihma-Purovaara from the Ministry of Education and Culture described the current state of discussion on responsible international cooperation in Finland.

She noted that academic freedom has weakened in many countries in recent years, which limits opportunities for cooperation if one wishes to engage only with partners where freedom is fully realised.

Photo: Opetushallitus

Vihma-Purovaara also reflected on the changed geopolitical situation following Russia’s attack on Ukraine, and on how the events of recent years have shaped attitudes within higher education communities and increased uncertainty in international cooperation.

In a multipolar world, she said, a delicate balance is needed between security and vulnerability, and between openness and managed risk-taking.

Finally, she encouraged higher education actors to take an active role in developing and implementing the recommendations for responsible international cooperation in higher education and research, published in spring 2025. In this way, the recommendations would not remain merely on paper, but become part of everyday practice in institutions.

The EU’s Global Gateway opens up new opportunities for educational cooperation

During the day, attention turned to how higher education and vocational education and training (VET) can work together to strengthen competences and contribute to societal development.

At the same time, participants explored the new funding and partnership opportunities offered by the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative.

The initiative is a broad EU investment and partnership programme aimed at strengthening the EU’s global partnerships – particularly in the Global South. It supports sustainable development by investing in education, research, digitalisation, energy and health.

Luisa Bunescu from the European Commission described the value basis of the initiative as a shift “from donor to equal partner” – towards cooperation in which the EU and partner countries jointly build solutions for education and skills development.

Niina Tenhio from the Finnish Centre for Expertise in Education and Development Cooperation (FinCEED) presented the Team Europe projects in which EDUFI is involved. These projects are funded as part of the Global Gateway strategy.

Tenhio’s presentation highlighted concrete opportunities for Finnish higher education actors to take part in Team Europe cooperation.

Networking added spark to the day

For participants, networking was particularly rewarding – both through the official programme and in spontaneous conversations during coffee breaks. It provided a valuable opportunity to find new partners, ideas and perspectives for future cooperation.

In thematic small groups, projects from different parts of the world met around shared topics. The groups exchanged experiences related to leadership and administration, the green transition, teacher education, health and wellbeing, and digitalisation.

Photo: Opetushallitus

The discussions continued the following day in network meetings, where participants explored opportunities for collaboration across different funding instruments – Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) projects, Team Finland Knowledge (TFK), and Higher Education Partnerships (HEP).