Since its launch in 1998, the Glion Colloquium has established itself as both a key international forum and a highly influential resource in addressing the challenges and responsibilities of the world's research universities. Held every two years, the forum brings together leaders of research universities, often joined by key figures from business and government, to consider together how the world's leading universities can meet the great challenges of the 21st century. Along the way, the forum also considers key issues related to research universities, including their management and financing, and issues of academic freedom and university relationships with private enterprise, governments and the wider public. The forum's intense discussions take place over three days in the tranquil setting of Glion-above-Montreux, Switzerland, and are based on papers prepared in advance by the participants. After the forum the papers are published both online and in books with worldwide circulation to give universities, governments and businesses practical access to cutting-edge analysis of the current and future state of the world's prominent research universities and of the major benefits these institutions can bring to society.