Summit of the two shores : Declaration by the Rectors and Presidents of Universities at the initiative of Aix-Marseille University

On the occasion of the "Summit of the two shores" held in Marseille on 24 June 2019, university rectors and presidents from ten countries on the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean called for "a major youth mobility programme" and "a major post-doctoral programme". They also want to "strengthen the digital equipment and skills" of their universities. These "action proposals" aim to promote the creation of "training, research and innovation ecosystems that irrigate the territories and constitute vectors of development".

The summit of the two shores brought together at the Palais du Pharo, in the presence of President Macron, a panel of senior national political leaders and representatives of civil society from the countries of the 5+5 space: five states on the southern shore of the Mediterranean (Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya), and five states on the northern shore (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Malta). The summit aims to revive the momentum of cooperation in the Western Mediterranean through the implementation of concrete projects for human, economic and sustainable development.

Wishing to highlight the challenges of Higher Education and Research in the Mediterranean, Aix-Marseille University encouraged its partners to support this declaration in association with the Conference of University Presidents (CPU). More than thirty of them have signed up. The declaration was brought to the attention of the leaders and organizers of the summit on both sides.