The University of Palermo hosted the Third Mediterranean Student Summit from September 26 to 28, bringing together nearly 30 students from across the Mediterranean region and Ghana. This three-day event, organized by UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union and the Erasmus Student Network (ESN), provided a space for peer-to-peer exchanges and discussions on student engagement, a core priority for UNIMED.

The Summit aimed to enhance mutual understanding among students and empower them as advocates for the Mediterranean by fostering discussions on key topics relevant to academic cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean region. With students from the Mediterranean and the All-Africa Students Union (AASU) in attendance, the event facilitated a rich intercultural exchange.

The Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) supported this initiative, recognizing the importance of dialogue and collaboration in equipping young people to become positive agents of change during challenging times. Throughout the Summit, students had the opportunity to engage with representatives from various institutions involved in higher education, Mediterranean cooperation, youth activities, and dialogue.

The event was officially opened by the Rector of the University of Palermo, Prof. Massimo Midiri, with remarks from João Lobo, Project Analyst for Higher Education and Research at UfM, and other distinguished speakers from partnering institutions. Joan Borrell, Deputy Secretary General for Higher Education and Research at the UfM, delivered a keynote address on the second day of the Summit.

Organized under the patronage and financial support of the Union for the Mediterranean, the Summit also benefited from contributions from the University of Palermo, the European Investment Bank Institute, Fondation Maison des Sciences de l’Homme, and several universities within the UNIMED network.