The National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (SNSPA) hosted the annual CIVICA Presidents' Committee Meeting in Bucharest from July 4th to 5th 2023.

Presidents and Rectors from all ten CIVICA partner universities joined this annual meeting, including Bocconi University, Central European University, European University Institute, Hertie School, IE University, SNSPA, Stockholm School of Economics, Sciences Po, SGH – Warsaw School of Economics, and The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

This meeting marked a significant milestone for the alliance as it entered the maturity phase of institutional collaboration, supported by European Union funds. CIVICA was originally selected by the European Commission in 2019 to participate in the Pilot Exercise of the European Universities Initiative, which concluded successfully in 2022.

The main topics discussed during the meeting focused on evaluating CIVICA's activities during the pilot phase, analysing the results achieved in international research competitions, and establishing strategic directions for CIVICA's development between 2024-2026.

Today, CIVICA represents 72,000 students and 13,000 faculty members, making it a leading force in higher and postgraduate education dedicated to the social sciences. 

Notable attendees included rectors, presidents and vice-presidents such as Francesco Billari from Bocconi University, Renaud Dehousse from the European University Institute (attending online), Katarina Hagg from the Stockholm School of Economics, Manuel Muñiz Villa from IE University, Emma McCoy and Susana Mourato from The London School of Economics and Political Science, Remus Pricopie from SNSPA, Carsten Schneider from Central European University, Mathias Vicherat from Sciences Po, Piotr Wachowiak from SGH Warsaw School of Economics, and Cornelia Woll from the Hertie School.

The alliance was also represented by members of the CIVICA Steering Committee and the Managing Team: Catherine De Vries, Dean for International Affairs at Bocconi University, Sébastien Huber, the Coordinator of the Strategy and Development Department at the European University Institute; Thurid Hustedt, Dean of Graduate Programmes of the Hertie School; Candice Georges, CIVICA Project Manager; Monica Jitareanu, Global Partnership officers and CIVICA Manager at CEU; Aurélien Krejbich, the CIVICA Executive Director; Vanessa Scherrer, CIVICA Coordinator and Vice President for International Affairs at Sciences Po; Helen Rosemont, European Partnerships Coordinator and CIVICA Manager at LSE. 

Photo credits: Lucian Tudose (SNSPA)