Schedule

Schedule in detail

Provisional programme, may be subject to change.

Part 1: Arrival

  • Partner-hosted, by invitation only

Part 2: Inspire and Inform

  • Speaker:

    • Melissa Fleming, Under-Secretary General for Global Communications, United Nations

    Hosted by:

    • Kirsty Walker, Vice-President (External), University College London

    Global solutions no longer seem welcome. The rules-based world order has been pronounced dead, with international collaboration abandoned by some nations as barriers to trade, movement and knowledge exchange.

    In this context, what are committed multilateralist institutions like the United Nations and many universities around the world to do? How do we communicate and engage in a world where the message of develop collective answers to shared challenges has been drowned out by the neo-populist realpolitik?

    Join UN Under-Secretary General for Global Communications, Melissa Fleming for a very special keynote address. Melissa will give a first-hand account of leading communications for the United Nations over this period - as well as her reflections on what universities seeking to engage, communicate and influence the public can learn from her experience.

  • 10 reasons to be hopeful – a lightning round of award-winning case-studies from universities making a difference. Be inspired… then seek to copy, scale and emulate!

Part 3: Interact

  • Informal lunchtime roundtables co-hosted by our Advisory Circle and partners on hot-button topics for the sector and its professional services leaders.

Part 4: Respond and Solve

  • Speakers:

    Unconference session – a University Vennifesto for GE 2029

    If universities were on the ballot paper in 2029, what would our election strategy be? What flagship policies would attract voters’ support? How we engage the public and media? And how would we approach our local, regional and national campaigns?

    Co-convened in partnership with Public First, this year’s interactive unconference session will see Venn participants develop a General Election Campaign for universities and higher education in 2029.

  • With:

    Last year’s smash hit session returns! Institutional leaders will host roundtables with delegates to reflect on how the sector’s challenges are affecting their institution and what is landing on their desks as individual leaders. 

    It is also an opportunity for leaders to set out what they need from professional services to help them make the case in celebration and defence of higher education.

Part 5: Relax

  • Join us on the balcony of Prince Philip House overlooking The Mall for our closing networking reception.