G8 University Summit

G8 University Summit highlights role of universities in creating a sustainable society
Presidents, Rectors and representatives of leading education and research institutes from the G8 and G20 countries met at the end of last month in Vancouver, Canada, for the 3rd G8 University Summit on 'Universities and Communities: Transition to a sustainable future'.
Aiming to build on the two previous summits, discussions centred around the three sub-themes of sustainable health, energy and higher education. EUA was invited to present in the session on sustainable higher education. Secretary General Lesley Wilson outlined to the international audience the context of current reform processes in Europe (both in higher education and research) and the role these changes could play in providing a sustainable higher education platform in the future.
University leaders at the Summit adopted a Statement of Action which underlines the role universities can play in creating a ‘sustainable future’. In particular, it outlines their role in leading change and providing new knowledge; creating partnerships with different global stakeholders; and using multi-dimensional approaches to respond to complex sustainability issues.
The Statement outlines six recommendations for action for university leaders and stakeholders in relation to the sustainability of universities themselves and to the sustainability of society at large. These include: creating built environments that “stand up to new scrutiny and be designed to reduce the ecological footprint”; and seeking “more effective solutions to meet the challenges presented by constraints in public funding and worldwide economic upheaval”. It also stresses the need to “organise our knowledge on sustainable energy in such way that it contributes to the establishment of a sustainable world, preserving its natural environments for future generations while meeting our current needs”.
Universities throughout the world are facing profound challenges relating to their sustainability and regulation.  These challenges are great and multi-dimensional, especially in developing educational systems.  While the challenges in various contexts may be different, they are also intrinsically linked.  They will not be effectively met by universities working in isolation.  In order to secure a sustainable future, universities will need to work in partnership with government, the private sector, and civil society.  We will work together to find solutions on the campus and beyond to problems such as scarcity of resources, development and mobility of intellectual capacity, aging or inadequate infrastructure, and changing social demographics.
As the next Chair of the G8, the 2011 G8 University Summit will take place in France and be hosted by the Universities of Franche Comté and Bourgogne.
G8 University Summit in Torino Italy 2009. G8 University Summit in Sapporo Japan 2008. G8 University Summit in Heiligendamm Germany 2007. G8 Research Group. The G8 Research Group is a network of scholars, professionals and students interested in the activities of the G8. Founded in 1987 and based at the Munk Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto, it is partnered with Oxford University and the State University Higher School of Economics (Moscow). The aim of the G8 Research Group is to provide in-depth analysis on institutions, issues and members of the G8.