International DRI U7+ 2023 Presidential Summit

The members of U7+, the international alliance of universities of which Aix-Marseille University is a member, met in Tokyo at Keio University for their annual summit. On this occasion, the 75 representatives of the member universities drafted a declaration urging the G7 leaders to put peace and security back at the heart of the debate. As the G7 prepares for its next summit in Hiroshima in May, U7+ members take a sobering look at the state of play in the statement that punctuates the debates that have animated their meetings. Between declared armed conflicts and thinly veiled threats, the world is facing major challenges to peace and security. "The world has seen important innovations in the field of war; it is now time to innovate in the field of peace and security," reads a statement from the U7+ Alliance. For U7+ members, it is therefore urgent : Invest in peace and security education at all levels to integrate the most recent research into peace and security policies diversify the range of stakeholders involved in high-level policy discussions on these issues defend academic freedom and reduce barriers to student exchange The international alliance of universities is committed to working with governments, communities and industries to achieve these goals. At this week's summit, under the theme "The Pen is mightier than the Sword," U7+ members reiterated the central role of universities in the fight for global peace and security.