March 12, 2026
We meet at a moment of significant global instability. Rising geopolitical tensions, the spread of
misinformation and social division are weakening public trust. Across the world and within our
communities we are facing unprecedented technological, societal and natural challenges.
At such a time, the values which define leading research-intensive universities are more important
than ever.
A shared commitment to building stronger communities. Integrity in research. Support for education
that delivers economic and societal progress. These principles are fundamental to helping students
and graduates thrive.
Across our networks, our universities educate millions of students every year. We will ensure graduates
are supported and equipped to deal with a more uncertain future, and that they are able to grasp the
opportunities and manage the risks presented by new technologies such as AI which are already
transforming jobs.
Our researchers deliver breakthroughs which drive global innovation and improve economic and
societal wellbeing. Our collaborations - from joint R&D to shared infrastructure and researcher
mobility - change lives. Research remains an international endeavour. We will work to protect open
collaboration across borders and share lessons on how to ensure global research excellence has a real
impact in our local and regional communities.
With global politics becoming more uncertain, research and education also have a critical diplomatic
role. We will ensure our partnerships maintain dialogue and build relationships across the world. These
connections matter at a time when no country can solve major global challenges on its own.
And we will ensure this work rests on secure foundations. That means sharing intelligence on new
risks, protecting research from misuse, and ensuring our campuses remain safe, inclusive places for
open academic debate underpinned by our commitment to academic freedom. This includes
strengthening our efforts to prevent and address all forms of hatred that undermine the safety and
cohesion of our university communities.
Together, the GRIUN commits to ongoing cooperation on:
- Free speech and academic freedom: ensuring campuses remain safe, inclusive and home to
robust academic debates.
- Artificial Intelligence: equipping researchers and students with the skills to use emerging
technologies ethically and effectively, and using AI for societal and economic progress.
- Innovation and commercialisation: turning groundbreaking research into products, services,
businesses and jobs that help people to get on in life.
- Research security: strengthening shared safeguards to protect our values, interests and the
integrity of our research.
In reaffirming our shared principles, we also reaffirm our shared purpose: to advance knowledge, to
educate for the public good, and to uphold the values that enable open, democratic and cohesive
societies. The challenges we face are global - and so is our resolve to meet them.
