What drives research-intensive universities worldwide? How do they understand their role in the face of global economic, ecological and geopolitical challenges? And what can they learn from each other? These were the questions at the heart of the Global Council of Research-Intensive University Networks (GRIUN) on 13 and 14 June 2024 in Berlin. The network brings together associations of research-intensive universities from the USA (Association of American Universities), Canada (U15 Canada), Australia (Group of Eight), the UK (Russell Group), Japan (RU11), Europe (LERU) and Germany (German U15). Together, the seven alliances with their 161 research-intensive universities represent a significant proportion of the world's leading universities.

Represented by their respective chairpersons and secretaries general, the associations discuss global science policy developments and issues relating to university strategies, research funding and financing during their regular meetings through the network. The two-day meeting in Berlin, organised by German U15, also focused on the situation of universities in times of geopolitical tensions and increasing scepticism towards science and how the increased demands with regard to research security are affecting international cooperation. Discussions with high-ranking guests from the Bundestag, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) provided a valuable exchange of perspectives with politicians and research funding organisations.

The trustful, open exchange among the partners showed that research-intensive universities around the world are all currently faced with the same challenges and that the exchange of knowledge, best practices and perspectives is therefore extremely important. The network agreed to intensify their political cooperation and to coordinate their positions on science policy developments more closely. By adopting the "Berlin Statement", the partners reaffirmed the principles on which we as research-intensive universities stand. The statement calls on governments around the world to work with research-intensive universities and our partners to realise the full potential of research, innovation and the education of future generations.