What happens when an international crisis suddenly affects a university’s students, staff or partnerships? And how can International Relations Offices be better prepared to respond? These questions were at the centre of the FORTIFY session “From disruption to direction: Navigating values and resilience in international relations offices” at EAIE 2026. Representatives of FORTIFY consortium members Université de Lorraine, Erasmus University Rotterdam and the European University Foundation invited participants to reflect on crisis management, institutional resilience and values-based decision-making.
A crisis abroad does not stay abroad. For IROs, this can mean dealing with urgent situations, sometimes with several crises unfolding at the same time.
The speakers highlighted practical examples from Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Université de Lorraine, including crisis protocols, multidisciplinary response structures and mechanisms for assessing sensitive international collaborations.
An active and highly engaged audience reflected on disruptions affecting their own institutions, discussed what can help IROs move from reactive crisis management to a more proactive approach and what role the institutional values might play in fostering more resilient international cooperation.
The discussion brought the session back to its central message: being prepared must start before a crisis occurs. Clear protocols and defined responsibilities can help institutions respond more effectively under pressure. At the same time, having a clear understanding of institutional values and principles can provide an important reference point for decision-makers when navigating complex situations and international partnerships.