Working group on responsible international cooperation in higher education and research publishes recommendations

The working group on responsible international cooperation set up by the Ministry of Education and Culture has published recommendations that emphasise openness, reciprocity and risk management in international cooperation in higher education and research. The recommendations aim to safeguard academic freedom while also ensuring that international cooperation upholds democracy and ethical choices.

Responsible international cooperation refers to safety and security in research, safe and secure recruitment of students and staff, safe and secure mobility, and safe and secure activities where people, information or facilities must be protected. Each organisation assumes responsibility for its international cooperation and activities without prejudice to the principle of academic freedom, in accordance with the autonomy of higher education institutions.

Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie emphasises that safety and security in research and international cooperation in higher education are a balancing act between academic freedom and responsibility.

“It is imperative that higher education institutions work together on the topics of responsible international cooperation and safety and security in research. International cooperation and openness increasingly involve balancing risks, opportunities and freedoms. We in Finland must be prepared to safeguard academic freedom in higher education and research and the prerequisites for researchers to work both in today’s world and in the future,” Minister Talvitie says.

The key content of the recommendations is to make institutions and organisations more aware of responsible international cooperation and risk management. Responsibility is promoted by means of dialogue and by sharing information both in the national context and in international networks of collaboration. Higher education institutions and other organisations in the sector draw up their own policies to make sure their processes operate smoothly and to safeguard comprehensive knowledge and competence in their organisations. The Ministry coordinates cross-administrative work and monitors responsible international cooperation as part of the process of direction and guidance.

Recommendations of the working group on responsible international cooperation (in Finnish)

Inquiries:

• Tiina Vihma-Purovaara, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 330327
• Emmi Venäläinen, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 50 453 2773