Sage Ross, CC BY-SA 3.0
To coincide with the G7 Summit hosted by the UK, LSE has joined other world-leading universities in urging leaders to “prioritise the interests and rights of youth and future generations” in the global post-pandemic recovery, and focus on the climate crisis.
LSE is part of the U7+ Alliance — a group of universities spanning six continents and representing the G7 nations, as well as 10 other countries. With world leaders arriving in the UK, the Alliance stressed the importance of fostering intergenerational dialogue as countries implement their commitments in Cornwall and in the lead up to the COP26 in Glasgow next November.
In that context, the Alliance urged leaders to recognise universities as primary global actors and to value education as a tool of resilience against future pandemics.
“The preparation of the next generation of leaders must be a paramount concern,” the Alliance’s joint statement reads. “As an alliance of universities, we sit at the crossroads of generations — in a space where knowledge is generated and new, bolder visions for the future are imagined — and have committed to serving as platforms for open intergenerational dialogue”
The Alliance also stressed the importance of tackling climate change and preserving the planet’s biodiversity. It emphasised the commitment of its members to addressing environmental issues through providing access to related courses, facilitating intergenerational dialogues and actively working to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Finally, the Alliance urged the G7 to incorporate an intergenerational lens as they advocate for the fundamental values of democracy, human rights and free speech. It also called on world leaders to promote access to higher education for youth from marginalised backgrounds.
The U7+ Alliance is the first international coalition of university presidents aimed at structuring and advancing the role of universities as global and multilateral actors. Alliance members meet annually to establish a common agenda and identify key areas for coordinated action.