In June 2016, Alain Claeys, Mayor of Poitiers, Yves Jean, Rector of the University of Poitiers, and Dorothy Kelly, then Chair of the Coimbra Group Executive Board, came together for the first signature of the historic Poitiers Declaration.
This visionary document laid the foundation for collaboration between Coimbra Group Universities and the cities they call home, defining shared objectives and inspiring transformative initiatives.
Fast forward to today, we are proud to witness how this framework has grown and flourished. Nearly all Coimbra Group members and their municipalities have now signed the Poitiers Declaration, leading to numerous impactful projects that reaffirm the vital partnership between Universities and their Cities.
The document continues to emphasize the central role of Universities in driving innovation, socio-economic development, and urban policy, particularly in the small and medium-sized cities where Coimbra Group universities thrive. The relationship is symbiotic: Cities provide fertile ground for academic growth, while Universities fuel progress in their communities.
As we celebrate the Coimbra Group’s 40th anniversary in 2025, we honor this enduring spirit of cooperation and look forward to building an even brighter future for our Universities and Cities together.