06 November 2025
Bilbao Campus
On 4–5 November 2025, the University of Deusto hosted the UNIC Working Conference 2025, a key event within the framework of the UNIC European University Alliance – European University of Cities in Post-Industrial Transition. The conference gathered in Bilbao representatives from the ten universities of the Alliance to review achievements and reflect on how to further strengthen cooperation across this European network.
During the opening ceremony, Rector Juan José Etxeberria welcomed nearly 200 participants and highlighted that this gathering comes “at a crucial moment, halfway through UNIC’s second phase,” stressing the need to “pause, reflect on what we have achieved, and look ahead to strengthen our cooperation and collective impact.”
Unlocking Transformational Value
The working conference took place at a strategic point for the Alliance’s future, right in the middle of its second phase. Under the motto “Unlocking Transformational Value,” participants discussed current achievements and challenges related to UNIC’s mission: to support cities in their post-industrial transitions through educational innovation, engaged research and civic collaboration, and to review the most transformative results achieved so far.
In his address, the Rector recalled that the UNIC Alliance “brings together universities and cities that share a common mission: to learn from our transformations and co-create more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient urban futures.” He also emphasized the need to “move beyond short-term initiatives and build long-term collaborations that truly strengthen our Alliance.”
Etxeberria used the metaphor of a puzzle to illustrate the essence of UNIC, highlighting three key ideas: interculturality, interconnection, and teamwork. “Each university, each city, each person here represents a unique piece of that puzzle. Only by putting them together can we see the full picture — one where collaboration unlocks new forms of knowledge, innovation, and community transformation,” he said.
The conference gathered nearly 200 participants, including university leadership teams, academics, researchers, administrative staff, institutional representatives (cities and local governments) and students. It offered a valuable space to reflect on the need to evolve from a transactional to a transformational approach within the Alliance, fostering cooperation beyond deliverables and addressing UNIC’s current challenges and expectations.
The Rector underlined the importance of coordination and collective effort: “Only when we align our actions and join forces across disciplines, borders and perspectives can we create something new — something none of us could build alone.”
A Co-created Programme
With “Unlocking Transformational Value” as the central theme, the conference focused on five key topics: research and innovation, education, impact, financial sustainability, and capacity building and digital platforms. The programme included plenary sessions, strategic and technical meetings, parallel sessions and networking spaces that encouraged the exchange of experiences and best practices among all member universities.
The final design of the programme was made possible through the collaboration of the ten universities of the Alliance, resulting in a co-created and enriched conference that reflected the contributions and expertise of the entire network.
The Rector emphasized that this spirit of collaboration “reflects the true essence of UNIC — a community that learns from its differences and collectively builds a more inclusive and accessible future.” He also expressed his gratitude to “the Basque Government, the National Ministry of Education, and the City of Bilbao” for their continued support.
UNIC’s Commitment to its Territories
UNIC is defined by its commitment to its territories and by the search for solutions to the challenges faced by cities in post-industrial transition. Cooperation between local administrations and the Alliance remains constant.
Reflecting this close relationship between UNIC, the University of Deusto and the local territory, the conference was attended by Juan Mari Aburto, Mayor of Bilbao; Naroa Atxurra, Director of 2030 Agenda and International Affairs at the City Council of Bilbao; and Sara Urionabarrenetxea, Director of University Planning and Organisation at the Basque Government. The event also featured keynote addresses by Josep María Garrell, President of the European University Association, and Sébastien Vauzelle, Head of the Local 2030 Coalition Secretariat at the United Nations.
The Rector also stressed the importance of the connection between universities and cities, noting that “only by working side by side towards shared goals can we drive meaningful initiatives that transform our territories.”
Looking to the Future
The UNIC Working Conference 2025 marks a milestone in the progress made so far and lays the groundwork for the future of the Alliance. The fruitful discussions and sessions open the door to deeper, network-based collaboration, essential to ensuring that joint efforts achieve greater impact.
In the words of Juan José Etxeberria, “every idea, every collaboration, every student, and every city matters. Only together can we build the image we all aspire to see: a shared vision of transformation, opportunity, and belonging.”
With this spirit, the University of Deusto reaffirmed its commitment to internationalisation, inclusion, and the construction of more diverse and accessible universities within the framework of European alliances.
