The Grupo 9 de Universidades (G-9) has selected the future political landscape of the European Union as the theme for the XVII Interuniversity Debate League, scheduled to take place at the Universidad de La Rioja from 14 to 16 April 2027. The competition will challenge participating student teams with a pressing question: to what extent should European integration advance, and what degree of autonomy should member states retain?
The central question for debate will be: 'Should the European Union move towards greater political integration, even if it reduces the autonomy of member states?'. This topic was agreed upon during a meeting of the G-9's Cultural and Social Projection Sectorial Commission, held on 3 and 4 November in Cáceres, presided over by Joxerramon Bengoetxea, rector of Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (EHU). Cristina Flores Moreno, vice-rector for Lifelong Learning and University Extension, also attended the meeting.
The event, organised by the Universidad de Extremadura, was opened by host rector Pedro Fernández and vice-rector for University Extension María Teresa Terrón, who welcomed university representatives. The debate will allow participants to explore issues such as the division of competencies between the European Union and member states, the capacity of EU institutions to make common decisions, and the implications of increased political integration.
Students will be required to prepare arguments for both sides of the debate, irrespective of their personal opinions. The Interuniversity Debate League is one of the most significant cultural and student participation activities within the G-9, bringing together teams from member universities to engage in structured debates on a common question, presenting opposing viewpoints supported by documented arguments and responses to counterarguments.
The competition aims to promote public speaking, critical thinking, teamwork, and respect for differing opinions. A jury will assess the quality of arguments, clarity of presentations, and participants' ability to refute opposing views. The La Rioja edition will continue a well-established activity in the G-9's cultural cooperation calendar, providing students with the opportunity to debate public interest issues with peers from other universities.
In 2027, the Cultural and Social Projection Sectorial Commission will also organise a joint virtual exhibition to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the G-9, showcasing the artistic wealth of each member university. Each institution will produce an audiovisual piece highlighting selected artworks, including sculptures, paintings, engravings, and photographs. These videos will be displayed on the websites, social media, and screens of all participating universities.
The Commission also reviewed activities carried out in 2026, including the XVI Debate League, the IX Musical Contest, and the VI University Theatre Showcase. The Musical Contest final took place on 2 October at the Universitat de les Illes Balears, where the Universidad de Cantabria secured first place, followed by the Universidad de Zaragoza and the Universitat de les Illes Balears. The next edition will be hosted by the Universidad de Murcia in 2027.
During the meeting, university representatives discussed the importance of ensuring sufficient engagement of participating groups with the university community. They exchanged experiences on cultural programming, heritage conservation and dissemination, accessibility, and student participation. Collaborative initiatives examined included itinerant exhibitions, shared artistic projects, and potential joint initiatives between university classrooms for older students or those with experience.
In the sports sector, G-9 representatives received updates on their joint bid to host the 2027 Spanish University Championships (CEU). This initiative aims to leverage cooperation between institutions and their sports facilities to host various national competitions. The sports working group also discussed the development and coordination of this proposal, alongside a review of the II G-9 Interuniversity Sports Meeting held at the Universidad de Extremadura and preparations for a new edition.
The sessions in Cáceres were held at the Rectorate and the Palacio de la Generala of the Universidad de Extremadura, with participation from cultural, social projection, university extension, and sports officials from G-9 universities.
