The Nordic University Days was organised for the first time in Brussels on the 9-10th of September 2019. Helsinki EU Office was one of the key organizers behind this event.

The objective of the event was to bring high level Nordic university representatives together with a shared commitment to raise awareness on the importance of research, education and science-based innovation to the high level EU policy makers. The programme involved several meetings with Nordic university representatives and high level EU policy makers. Here are some of the highlights of the programme. The full report is available here.

• Jean-Eric Paquet, Director General of DG Research and Innovation from the European Commission, gave an overview of Horizon Europe implementation, strategic planning, missions and partnerships.
• Georg Riekeles, Diplomatic Adviser to Michael Barnier, responsible of the Task Force for the Preparation and Conduct of the Negotiations with the UK, gave a state of play on Brexit negotiations
• Carlos Moedas, the outgoing Commissioner for Science, Research and Innovation, presented his main achievements and reflections based on his five years’ term as a Commissioner
• Breakfast meeting with Nordic MEP’s from Denmark, Sweden and Finland

The Nordic University Days were organized by Helsinki EU Office, LUT University (Finland), Lärosäten Syd (Sweden), NTNU, University of Bergen (Norway), Central Denmark EU Office/Aarhus University and Greater Copenhagen EU Office (Denmark) in cooperation with the University Associations in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.