EMUNI Annual Conference: Euro-Mediterranean Higher Education, Research and Innovation

23 June 2026 | Conference | English | ALECSO, Tunis
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The Euro-Mediterranean region is facing profound environmental, social and economic transformations. Higher education institutions, research organisations and innovation ecosystems play a central role in addressing sustainability challenges, advancing open science practices and preparing graduates for emerging green and future-oriented careers.

The EMUNI Annual Scientific Conference 2026 “Euro-Mediterranean Higher Education, Research and Innovation (EM-HERI 2026): Sustainability, Open Science and Green Careers” aims to provide a high-level policy and academic platform bringing together policymakers, university leaders, researchers, international organisations, employers and civil society actors from both shores of the Mediterranean. The conference will foster dialogue, knowledge exchange and concrete cooperation in support of sustainable development, research excellence and inclusive innovation in the Euro-Mediterranean area.

The opening ceremony features Dr. Mohamad Ould Amar (Director-general, ALECSO, Tunisia), Dr. Rado Bohinc (President, EMUNI University, Slovenia) and Ambassador Senén Florensa (Executive President of the IEMed). Also Gemma Aubarell, the IEMed’s Director of the Culture, Gender and Civil Society Department, is moderating the scientific session on Sustainability, Climate Action and Green Skills for Future Careers.

Objectives

The conference seeks to:

  • Strengthen Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in higher education, research and innovation (HERI)
  • Explore policy and institutional responses to sustainability and climate challenges
  • Promote open science as a driver of quality, inclusiveness and impact
  • Discuss the role of universities and research in shaping green skills and careers
  • Provide a scientific forum for researchers to present recent findings and best practices
  • Facilitate networking and partnership building among institutions and stakeholders

Audiences

  • Civil society organisations and youth representatives
  • Policymakers and public authorities (education, research, innovation, environment)
  • University leadership and academic staff
  • Researchers and doctoral candidates
  • International and regional organisations
  • Employers, industry and innovation actors

The Mediterranean. A sea of ​​heritages. Dialogue, diversity and fragility

The conference takes place in Tunis, where IEMed is also presenting at the same venue the exhibition “The Mediterranean: A Sea of Heritages”, organised by IEMed, the Spanish Embassy in Tunisia, AECID and ALECSO, offering a visual journey through UNESCO’s heritage legacy across the region.

This exhibition is structured in 17 panels and 4 thematic areas (heritage of wealth and fragility, human footprint, space of interactions, a world in transition). It displays a large map with more than 300 assets of the Mediterranean inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as 48 photographs of some of the most representative examples of the region’s tangible and intangible heritage.

The exhibition highlights that the cultural capital that the Mediterranean treasures in material, natural and intangible heritage can be a driving factor for sustainable development. It was fist displayed in 2025 in Barcelona.

The exhibition will be open to visitors from 22 June to 12 July 2026 at ALECSO headquarters in the Tunisian capital.

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