Background

The COPERNICUS Alliance finds its origins in 1993, when the European University Association, acknowledging the critical role of universities in advancing Agenda 21, launched COPERNICUS CAMPUS and the CRE COPERNICUS Charta in Geneva. European university rectors, presidents and vice-chancellors were invited to endorse and support the Charta which outlined ten “change pathways” including sustainable development values and ethics, education for university employees and students, and institutional strategic frameworks. The Charta, which resides with the COPERNICUS Alliance has been endorsed by 328 European universities, showcasing their commitment in leading change for sustainable development.

In 2007, a group of partner universities who had been actively involved in the COPERNICUS CAMPUS initiative, came together to re-frame the activities and strengthen the potential of the network. Due to the shift on the original programme, the COPERNICUS CAMPUS was re-launched and re-branded as the COPERNICUS Alliance. Its official constitution took place in 2010 in Graz, Austria. In 2011, the updated COPERNICUS Charta 2.0 was developed calling for a greater commitment of universities in re-orienting themselves towards sustainable development. While this Charta still is a reference document, the current goals of the COPERNICUS Alliance are outlined in the CA Action Plan.