On 6-7 March 2026, the University of Parma hosted the first-ever EU GREEN Alliance Student Conference, bringing together around 150 students from the Alliance's nine partner universities under the motto "United by Learning, Committed to Change". Designed by students, for students, the conference marked an important milestone in the development of the EU GREEN Alliance by placing students at the centre of shaping its future. The event was organised by the University of Parma in collaboration with ESN ASSI Parma, the local Erasmus Student Network section based at the University of Parma.
The conference represented the culmination of two months of collaborative work involving 123 students participating in the Strategy Group. Working in six thematic panels, Inclusion and Diversity, Universities and Local Realities, Mobility and Opportunities, Making Sustainability Concrete and Measurable, Innovative Education, and European Values and Civic Participation, participants developed recommendations that will form the basis of the Student Declaration "A Road to Your Ideal University". The declaration aims to provide a student-led vision for the future development of the Alliance and demonstrates the importance of student participation in European higher education. Alongside the Strategy Group, a Promotion Grant Group supported student-led project proposals focused on sustainability and collaboration across the Alliance.
For Erasmus Student Network, the conference provided an excellent opportunity to contribute to discussions on the future of student mobility and sustainable internationalisation. These priorities closely reflect ESN's long-standing advocacy for making mobility more environmentally-neutral and sustainable. Through its policy work and flagship initiatives such as Green Erasmus and Sustainable Erasmus Travels, ESN continues to advocate for greener travel options, improved support for students choosing sustainable means of transport and a mobility experience that contributes positively to both students and environment.
ESN had an opportunity to deliver a keynote speech entitled "Erasmus Generation Perspective on the Future of Sustainable Student Mobility". The presentation highlighted the importance of ensuring that sustainability becomes an integral part of international student mobility rather than an optional addition. Drawing on ESN's research and policy recommendations, the keynote explored how European Universities and the Erasmus+ programme can work together to make sustainable choices more accessible for students, while ensuring that mobility remains inclusive and affordable.
The discussions throughout the conference demonstrated that the future of European University Alliances depends on meaningful student engagement. From developing recommendations for more inclusive campuses to exploring innovative approaches to education and sustainable mobility, participants showed that students are not only beneficiaries of European cooperation, they are active contributors to shaping it. ESN is proud to have contributed to this first edition of the EU GREEN Alliance Student Conference and looks forward to continuing its collaboration with European University Alliances in building a more sustainable and student-centred European Education Area.
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