CIVICA gets greenlight from the European Commission: the university alliance continues its expansion

Paris, 5 May 2025 – Sciences Po, a world-class research university, has been host to a significant number of leading international scholars for over two decades. With nearly 50% of its student body made up of international students and one of the most open academic communities in Europe, Sciences Po offers an interdisciplinary environment suited to analyse contemporary disruptions, all within a framework that safeguards academic freedom and freedom of speech — key conditions for academic work. “Europe’s strategic autonomy lies in part on an intellectual ambition: acknowledging universities as a central pillar of European identity, agency, and influence. Through the defence of academic freedom, the promotion of open debate, and the protection of long-term knowledge, higher education constitutes a critical infrastructure of our democracies.”Luis Vassy, Director of Sciences Po. In December 2024, Sciences Po launched a call for applications within the “Sciences Po Visiting Fellowship” programme, aimed at welcoming scholars from the United States. The two selected fellows, Professor Sanyu A. Mojola from Princeton University and Professor Rachel Beatty Riedl from Cornell University, were chosen from among numerous prominent applicants. They will join Sciences Po for one semester: Professor Mojola will be hosted by the Centre for Research on Social Inequalities (CRIS), and Professor Riedl by the Centre for International Studies (CERI). Sanyu A. Mojola is a Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs and holds the Maurice P. During Chair in Demographic Studies at Princeton University. Her research, which combines multiple methodological approaches, investigates how societies produce health and illness, with a particular focus on the HIV/AIDS pandemic in diverse contexts such as Kenya, South Africa, and the United States. She has studied how social dynamics within schools, communities, labour markets, cities, and ecosystems contribute to health inequalities. Her work pays particular attention to the ways in which life course, gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status shape health outcomes. Rachel Beatty Riedl is the Director of the Center on Global Democracy at the Brooks School of Public Policy and Professor in the Department of Government at Cornell University. Her research focuses on democracy and authoritarianism globally, with a particular emphasis on Africa. She explores regime transitions, participation, institutions, political parties, religion, and local governance. This initiative highlights Sciences Po’s commitment to fostering open, rigorous, and independent research. The Visiting Fellowship programme will be renewed for the 2026–2027 academic year, with two new positions opened. Strong and Longstanding Ties with the United States Sciences Po maintains close educational and research ties with the United States. Each year, between 15% and 20% of all American students who choose to study in France do so at Sciences Po. Americans represent the largest international student population at the university, with nearly 1,000 enrolled for the 2024–2025 academic year — from among over 140 nationalities. This is in part due to our 84 university partnerships, including 10 dual degree programmes with leading institutions such as Columbia University, UC Berkeley, and Georgetown University. The United States is also the leading destination for Sciences Po students in their third year abroad: in 2025–2026, over 220 students will study at one of our American partner institutions. Our research collaborations with the United States are equally robust. These include the Alliance programme, which brings together Columbia University, École Polytechnique, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, and Sciences Po to promote bilateral academic cooperation; and our doctoral fellowship programme with seven American partners, aimed at building a transatlantic network of young researchers. At present, nine American scholars are members of our permanent faculty (out of 280), alongside numerous PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting professors — among them the Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz.

Preamble We, the Presidents of the U7+ Alliance of World Universities, representing over 50 universities on five continents, are dedicated to addressing global challenges. We are committed to working with the G7 leaders to develop AI to benefit societies worldwide. Our Alliance includes leading universities in G7 nations and in 12 global south countries. We value collaboration across diverse perspectives and cultures. As universities, we are at the intersection of generations, where knowledge is generated, and new, bolder visions for the future are imagined. Universities’ leading role in Advancing AIUniversities are key contributors to the successful digital transformation of all sectors of the economy and in the wider society. Universities are the main actors in preparing a highly skilled workforce, and in driving innovative solutions based on research. In the face of the rapid advancement of AI-driven technology, universities, as independent actors guided by research, education, and service to our communities, can support governments to navigate this radical change and increasingly uncertain political context. Universities have large, multidisciplinary, networks of experts who can provide valuable insights for policymakers in all aspects of AI: the technology itself, its socio-economic embedding and impact, as well its governance. Maintaining collaborations between university AI leaders, government and industry stakeholders is crucial to making the best use of AI technologies, while minimizing some of their anticipated risks, including finding new ways to ensure AI technologies are more energy efficient. Many key figures in the development of AI come from U7+ universities, and we host many of the hubs where the algorithms and tools underpinning commercial GenAI products were originally developed. Given this expertise, we can work effectively with G7 governments and other stakeholders to develop a more inclusive ecosystem to train and nurture the next generation of AI leaders. As it becomes increasingly pervasive, AI will bring improvements including opportunities to address global challenges rapidly and effectively, in the areas such as climate change, health, energy transitions, the integrity of democratic institutions, and the future of work. To leverage these opportunities, we would like to ensure a broad ecosystem of innovative AI companies that span the globe. Universities, and the startups they often engender, are essential elements in such a vibrant innovation ecosystem. Governments have a key role to play in supporting universities through investments in AI development, deployment, and implementation.AI’s impact on the nature of work and the labour market is unprecedented. Governments are faced with a seismic shift in employment patterns and skill requirements across all sectors due to the integration of AI into the workplace. This will continue to raise challenges for governments to ensure there are fair opportunities for all, as well as a high quality of life and well-being. Our institutions’ extensive educational expertise and existing infrastructure can help governments create successful AI transition strategies across all sectors, and support workforce preparedness, through upskilling/reskilling programs both in the public and private sector. The successful deployment of AI hinges on whether people trust it to deliver its benefits safely and securely. This underscores the need to develop a balanced approach to AI governance, encouraging innovation while also ensuring safety and security. The International AI Safety Report (2025) establishes an internationally shared scientific understanding of risks from advanced AI and methods for managing them. The spread of misinformation, including the creation of deep fakes, will continue to adversely affect societies, particularly at election times, increasing misinformation and enabling disruption in political conversations. Additionally, the misuse of AI technologies such as Large Language Models without adequate understanding of their functionalities, for decision-making in critical fields like justice, healthcare, or public welfare, can create public mistrust in authorities and in policymakers. Our institutions can play a crucial role in advising on clear guidelines to manage the risks of AI technologies, balancing innovation, and regulations to ensure the safety and security of their use. As an alliance of universities from both the Global North and South, we are committed to addressing the rapidly increasing global AI divide. AI has the extraordinary potential to support local needs, in alignment with diverse values, cultures, languages and jurisdictions. There are currently disparities in the concentration of skilled talent, which also contributes to the global AI R&D divide. To bridge this gap, we prioritize strengthening and supporting North-South academic collaborations, developing training programs for capacity building, and enabling student exchange programs in AI. This will ensure that we build a healthy AI ecosystem where innovation and novel technologies can emerge to serve local and global markets. By virtue of their national and international core mission of education and research with carefully managed conflicts of interest, our universities have successful working collaborations with both public and private sectors, including the AI technology giants. This makes us vital connectors that can help build equitable and more robust AI ecosystems for the benefit of nations. Commitments by U7+ Alliance members: U7+ members commit to continuing to update and upgrade training pathways for all our students, not only those engaged in AI development, to sensitize them to new opportunities for the application of AI technologies as well as to risks posed by AI in general. Together we commit to sharing best practices and courses with one another so that we can build on our strengths as a global network. U7+ brings together Global South and Global North members; we commit to working across the Alliance to ensure that we are creating opportunities for all universities in our networks to deepen their knowledge of and access to AI training and technologies, so that innovations can be developed to benefit all nations. U7+ members commit to playing a role as trusted brokers for governments at all levels, bringing our research and training expertise to develop programs for governments to deepen their understanding of AI and its opportunities. By developing tailored programs, universities can train civil servants on opportunities to innovate and increase efficiency of government processes. Furthermore, working with governments, universities can contribute to mitigating risks to democratic processes and to individual/community rights and well-being by advising on appropriate policy and legal frameworks. U7+ will continue to play a critical role in the responsible advancement of AI, by fostering innovation and creating opportunities to develop technologies that contribute to individual and population health, environmental sustainability, and socioeconomic prosperity, while also monitoring their adoption and implementation to ensure meaningful and equitable impact. Recommendations to G7 and other governments: Work with U7+ to create an interdisciplinary network of U7+ scholars and policy makers working together on AI governance. We envision this consortium as a trusted advisory body leveraging the knowledge of leading universities from across the globe to achieve two interconnected roles: first, it would support policymakers and government agencies to implement the AI transition. Second, it would address AI safety and security and would work closely with the emerging network of public-sector/hybrid AI Safety institutes. Support the creation of an AI research and governance interface tool: Develop a trusted portal to share credible and rigorous resources for AI research and governance to support the decision-making of policy makers. This portal will address the current fragmentation of initiatives by providing a single point of access and verification for public authorities. Working with governments on key resources they are seeking, the portal will increase transparency, build trust, and ensure that decision-makers have access to the latest research-based knowledge on the ethical, legal, and societal implications of AI. As governments, create funding support to inclusive innovation through strengthened North–South collaboration on AI training, knowledge transfer, shared platforms, and the development of novel technologies.

PARIS, 22 April 2025 – Sciences Po and Lazard announce a strategic partnership to support the development of the Chair in Sovereign Debt and Finance for an initial period of three years. Drawing on its expertise and experience in advising governments, Lazard is committed alongside Sciences Po to reinforce and strengthen the role of the Chair as an international hub for research, dialogue, and learning on sovereign financing challenges and international financial architecture. The Chair will be affiliated with the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA, Sciences Po) and the Department of Economics of Sciences Po. It will be directed by Paola Subacchi, an internationally renowned economist and professor of political economy at the University of Bologna. Lazard's support will enable the Chair to advance research, provide teaching and organise events addressing complex and strategic topics such as debt sustainability, improving debt transparency, and managing sovereign debt crises. In addition to Lazard, Sciences Po will expand the group of sponsors for the Chair by including partners with complementary expertise. Luis Vassy, President of Sciences Po: “This Chair, supported by Lazard, is the leading academic reference in Europe for issues relating to sovereign debt. Lazard's support reflects confidence in both our research and educational programs, as well as our shared commitment to shed light on an area of critical importance for the future of global economies. I am convinced that this partnership will enhance our ability to train tomorrow’s leaders and produce cutting-edge research to develop innovative solutions and public policies to meet global financial challenges.”   Jean-Louis Girodolle, CEO of Lazard in France and Co-Head of European Investment Banking: “We are proud to collaborate with Sciences Po and to support the Chair in Sovereign Debt and Finance. This partnership will leverage our premier expertise in sovereign advisory, under the leadership of Pierre Cailleteau and Thomas Lambert, and our century-long experience assisting governments in managing their debt and public finances. It demonstrates Lazard’s commitment to fostering research and dialogue on public policy issues that are key to the future of international finance and to the governments and institutions we support.”