Barcelona (ES), Thursday 16 November 2023
Diversity in modern society – Making inclusion a central strategy in our universities

In our multi-cultural societies, there is a richness of ideas, preferences, customs and viewpoints. This offers endless possibilities for learning and growth. However, sometimes political and economic factors overshadow the opportunities that diversity brings with it. Universities can play a crucial role in countering this trend, and ensuring that such opportunities are recognised and that the potential of diversity is fully realised. But, are universities prepared to go ‘that extra mile’ towards diversity and inclusion?
We invite you to explore diversity and inclusion in higher education (HE) during our forthcoming SMILE Final Symposium in November!
The SMILE Symposium, organised by eucen with the project consortium, will be followed by the 2023 eucen Autumn Seminar. These events aim to give visibility to the way universities are (or should be) addressing diversity and inclusion, and celebrate the growing importance and relevance of the third mission of universities and the role that lifelong learning (LLL) plays in this context.
You are invited to submit an abstract of your work in the area of diversity and inclusion in HE. Follow this link to the Call for Contributions. The authors of the strongest abstracts will be invited to present their work in Barcelona. They will also have the chance to be recognised in the SMILE Awards on Diversity 2023!
Do not miss the opportunity to present your work on diversity and inclusion, and for your contributions to diversity and inclusion to be recognised at the international level!

REGISTRATION

Participation in the SMILE Symposium is free, however, all participants are required to register in advance. Follow this link to fill in the registration form.
To ensure that the event can be held in the most sustainable manner and to avoid any unnecessary food waste, please inform us by email at events@eucen.eu if your plans change and you wish to cancel your participation. We thank you in advance for your collaboration.
Let’s make a better world together!
PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME
08:45 | Registration | |
09:15 | Welcome to the University of Barcelona | Montse PUIG – University of Barcelona (TBC) |
09:30 | Presentation The SMILE project in a nutshell | Carme ROYO – eucen (BE) |
09:50 | Panel The three SMILE pillars: Singularity and intersectionality | Lilian NWANZE – Maynooth University (IE) Cati JEREZ – UBSF (ES) Ester COIS – UNICA (IT) TUIASI (RO) |
10:40 | Coffee break | |
11:00 | Parallel sessions (3 groups) Selected cases of diversity and inclusion in HEIs will present their work | Moderators: Carmel BORG – University of Malta (MT) Camilla FITZSIMONS – Maynooth University (IE) Kia LUNDQVIST – University of Turku (FI) |
11:50 | Summary from the Parallel sessions by the moderators | |
12:10 | SMILE Awards 2023 on diversity and inclusion in higher education | |
12:30 | World Café – Explore the SMILE tools – Resources and literature – Audit model – CPD courses – Policy Recommendations | Moderators: Maria CAPRILE – NOTUS (ES) Yasmin STEGEMANN – JGU (DE) Camilla FITZSIMONS – Maynooth University (IE) Carme ROYO – eucen (BE) |
13:30 | Lunch |
After lunch the SMILE Final Symposium will merge with the 2023 eucen Autumn Seminar to create synergies. If you are interested in diversity and inclusion, you might want to extend your stay and register for the 2023 eucen Autumn Seminar as well. Follow this link to do so.
15:00 | Opening and Welcome to the new arriving participants Summary of the SMILE Symposium morning session: Getting into the diversity and inclusion mood! | Beate HÖRR – JGU (DE) |
15:20 | Dialogue between researcher and practitioner How does theory compares to reality at diversity and inclusion level? How can research help practice and how can practice feed research? | Presenters TBC |
16:30 | Open floor for discussion, questions and comments | |
17:00 | Closing of the day Thanks | |
17:15 | Multicultural Networking Cocktail |






Scientific committee
- Camilla FITZSIMONS, Maynooth University (IE)
- Carmel BORG, University of Malta (MT)
- Kia LUNDQVIST, University of Turku (FI)
Organising committee
- Carme ROYO, eucen
- Montse BELTRAN, eucen
- Cati JEREZ, Funcació Solidaritat Universitat de Barcelona (ES)
For questions about the event, please send your messages to events@eucen.eu
All eucen events are regulated by the eucen General Terms and Conditions for Participants in eucen Conferences and events. By attending eucen events you agree with these terms and conditions.