The Santander Group is a member of the Executive Committee of the EuroMed Permanent University Forum (EPUF), which supports progress and enhancement of a EuroMed Area of Higher Education, through harmonisation and co-operation of education and training systems.

Together with the University of the Mediterranean Aix-Marseille II and the Mediterranean University Thetys, EPUF has organised the 5th Euro-Mediterranean University Forum (Marseille, October 6, 2008), based on the topic of "Qualité et coopération dans l'espace Euro-Méditerranéen de l'enseigement supérieur". Cinzia Tutino, from the International Relations Office of the University of Catania, represented EPUF as well as the Santander Group throughout the works of the Forum, and presided the Round Table devoted to "Coopération: du Processus de Bologne au Processus de Tarragone".

One of the most relevant outcomes of the Forum was the approval - under tha aegis of EPUF - of the "Declaration of Marseille", a joint statement of issues, requests and recommendations submitted to the French Presidency of the EU, to the Presidency of the Union for the Mediterranean and to the European Commission. The text comprises six key points on the development and enhancement of a common platform for university education in the Mediterranean region.

The full text of the declaration is available online in English here, and in the French version here.