On 17 September 2026, the University of Pisa will host the seminar “Equitable Partnerships for Global Challenges: Experiences from research, education and international cooperation”, organised within the framework of Circle U.
The event will bring together academics and experts from different institutions and geographical contexts to discuss some of the key issues affecting international partnerships: power asymmetries, resource distribution, knowledge production and decision-making processes.
The seminar will start by examining the historical and structural roots of inequitable relationships and will compare them with concrete experiences from research, higher education and international cooperation.
Topics on the programme include:
- global governance and multilateral partnerships;
- regional cooperation and institutional partnerships;
- equitable partnerships in higher education;
- participatory approaches with local communities;
- collaboration with the private sector.
The aim is to bring together different perspectives and experiences and to discuss the conditions that can make international collaboration more equitable, responsible and sustainable.
The event is organised on the occasion of the Circle U. Global Health Hub meeting in Pisa, with the patronage of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Peace Sciences (CISP).
Programme
Chairs
- Tavoschi – Global Health Chair, University of Pisa
- Mangano – Centro Interdisciplinare di Scienze per la Pace, University of Pisa
16:30
Welcome and Introduction
Welcome remarks
- Zucchi, Rector, University of Pisa
- Empana, Global Health Hub Director, University of Paris Cité
16:45-17:30 Session I – Understanding Equitable Partnerships
16:45 Power asymmetries in global collaboration: historical legacies and present challenges
Exploring how colonial history, unequal resource distribution and knowledge production continue to shape international research and educational collaborations.
Speaker: M. Capocci, University of Pisa
17:05 Principles and practices of equitable partnerships
From international declarations to practical implementation: what makes a partnership truly equitable?
Speaker: R. Mayston, Kings College London (TBC)
17:30-19:00 Session II – Conversation Panel: Equitable Partnerships in Practice
Short case studies illustrating how equitable partnership principles can be applied in different contexts
Global governance and multilateral partnerships
The experience of WHO and the Stop TB Partnership
Speaker: C. Gradmann, University of Oslo
Regional cooperation and institutional partnerships
The African Regional Exchange Agreement and Health Protection initiatives
Speaker: S. Cassella, Université Paris Cité
Equitable partnerships in higher education
The BASE Erasmus+ project in Palestine and Jordan
Speaker: A. Kadher, An-Najah National University
Building equitable partnerships with local communities
Participatory approaches in rural settings
Speaker: A. Cavicchi, University of Pisa
Partnering with the private sector
Repressing Stakeholder Interests: Company Responses in Conflictual Community Relationships
Speaker: E. Giuliani, University of Pisa
18:30 Discussion
19:00 Final remarks
19:00-20:00 Refreshments and networking
