NEWS & EVENTS

Rights in Europe: The Risks and Impact of Authoritarianism

The call for application for the Online School on Human Rights is now open! The third edition of the School will explore fundamental rights in the wider region of Europe shedding light on how institutions and political regimes shape the enjoyment of human rights amidst authoritarianism and global normative contestation. The School will critically engage with how institutions and political systems affect human rights protection, explore core societal transformations in digital and environmental policies, and analyze the instrumentalization of human rights language. The program will also address human rights during armed conflicts, particularly relevant given the current global increase in warfare.

ENLIGHT has reached a major milestone by becoming one of the first European University alliances to sign a broad joint PhD framework agreement covering all disciplines and all partner institutions. It sets out provisions for joint supervision, examination and defence, leading to a double PhD degree. The rectors of the ten partner universities signed the agreement early June at the biannual General Meeting, hosted by the University of Galway.  

Yesterday in Brussels, 150 rectors from across Europe gathered for the European Universities’ Alliances Rectors Meeting — an important moment to reflect on the next phase of the European Universities initiative and its long-term impact with European Commissioner Roxana Minzatu.

More than 180 representatives from ENLIGHT universities gathered at the University of Galway from 3–5 June 2026 for the ENLIGHT Mid-Year Meeting. Held under the theme Culture and Creativity, the three-day event brought together university leaders, researchers, educators, professional staff and students from across the alliance to review progress, strengthen collaboration and prepare for the next phase of ENLIGHT's development.

Alexandra Reynolds, a passionate educator who has turned cross-border collaboration into a mission. Through ENLIGHT’s virtual exchanges and international projects, she has helped students step beyond classrooms and into real global conversations. In this heartfelt interview, she shares what drives her, the challenges she’ has faced, and why the journey, though demanding, is always worth it. Read the full interview here.

The third and final ENLIGHT Incubator Grants call officially closed this spring, once again demonstrating strong engagement across the alliance and a growing interest in innovative joint educational cooperation.

Representatives of ENLIGHT played an active role at the second FOREU4ALL Workshop in Granada. The event brought together professionals from European University Alliances to discuss how project management and impact assessment can better support long-term institutional transformation.

Out now: The latest episode of ENLIGHT Insights: Learning Spaces explores how the alliance supports educators in internationalising their teaching.

Silvia Hlavinkova speaks with Dr. Angelika Thielsch and Dr. Tanja Reiffenrath from the University of Göttingen about practical tools for joint course design, professional development, inclusive teaching, and collaboration across Europe. The conversation highlights the ENLIGHT Teaching and Learning Conference, the role of Challenge-Based Education, and how educators can connect with partners across the alliance.

Listen now to discover how ENLIGHT is shaping the future of teaching across Europe.

The Staff Week at the University of Tartu Centre for Ethics explored the diverse possibilities for values development in education, research and society. During the four‑day staff training week, participants engaged with the Centre’s long‑standing experience in implementing values‑based approaches across different levels of society. Each day focused on a distinct aspect of values development, combining theoretical insights, practical tools and real‑life examples. Alongside the main programme, participants also had the chance to discover the University of Tartu and the cultural life of the university city.