Social responsibility

University Social Responsibility: Methodological Development Proposal
In this article, Juanjo Martí Noguera, of the University of Valencia, presents an analysis of the social responsibility of the university. This analysis of the social responsibility of the university, is in particular, coming from a psychology perspective and sketches the first approximation on the...
The Challenges of Higher Education in the 21st Century
Our imperfect world is advancing relentlessly towards uncertain future scenarios, and we must try to redirect it towards sustainability, that is, towards a new way of doing things in order to improve our environment while at the same time achieving justice, social equality and economic stability...
Innovative teacher training in remote Australian Indigenous communities: A sustainable staffing model
In this article Wendy Giles, Debbie Prescott and David Rhodes from Charles Darwin University explain how they are delivering the Bachelor of Teaching and Learning, to Indigenous students by sending lecturers out each week to five remote communities in the Northern Territory in Australia.
Fostering the Renewal of Learning and Teaching in the Field of Aboriginal Issues: DIALOG’s Nomadic University
The Nomadic University is an innovative training program created in 2007 by the DIALOG network - Research and knowledge network relating to Aboriginal Peoples. It is one of our knowledge mobilization initiatives developed over the years to encourage the sharing of knowledge, skills and learning...
Joint action to improve the impact of university development cooperation: Catalan universities promote an University Development Cooperation Plan
In this article Josep Vilalta and Nadja Gmelch of the Catalan Association of Public Universities (ACUP) talk about the “Plan for University Cooperation for Development 2011 – 2015 (UDC Plan)” and its fundamental role in enhancing the effectiveness, impact and quality of university development...
Academic Impact: Fresh Educational Principles for a New Millennium of Global Challenges
This article explains the Academic Impact initiative started by the United Nations. Along with the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005—2014, DESD), and the UN Millennium Development goals, Academic Impact assumes an active role of assuring ten universally accepted principles in...
Process Model of Intercultural Competence
The author presents a framework of intercultural competence, based on a grounded-research approach. This framework, has found resonance in different cultural contexts, and can be used to guide curriculum and assessment as well as to raise questions for further research and discussion.
Quality and the social responsibility of universities
In this article, Yazmín Cruz, GUNI project officer, states that quality cannot be an abstract, unimportant notion: it must be applied to a specific context and in relation to the relevance of an institution and its role in solving the problems faced by a community.
University Cooperation
University cooperation is rapidly changing its identity.
Higher Education contribution to the UN Millennium Development Goals
Several of the most pressing problems and challenges faced by humankind were identified in 2000 as Millennium Development Goals. World governments made a commitment to meet these goals by 2015. To what extent are these goals a subject of concern for higher education? Should higher education...
The contribution of universities to regional development: social, cultural and environmental issues
Higher education institutions have always played an important role in the development of their respective regions. In this article, Francisco Marmolejo, the Executive Director of the Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration, states that this contribution cannot, nor indeed...
Universities and Human Rights
Universities have often been focal points in the defence of human rights. In this issue, we give examples of universities that have acted in response to or have stood up to denounce human rights abuses during conflicts or dictatorships in their countries.
The socially responsible university: a way of being
In 2001, the project "Universidad Construye País" (University Builds Country) was launched in Chile. Its aim was to carry out coordinated, joint social responsibility activities in the country’s universities. One of the people behind this project is the rector of the Catholic University of Temuco,...
The Talloires Network: Building a Global Movement of Engaged Universities
As the Talloires Declaration states, institutions of higher education “do not exist in isolation from society, nor from the communities in which they are located. Instead, they carry a unique obligation to listen, understand, and contribute to social transformation and development”. In this article...
Juan Ramón de la Fuente
Juan Ramón de la Fuente reflects on the role of higher education institutions and associations in social construction. He believes that universities must look to form partnerships with organizations working in their areas of influence to support initiatives aimed at social construction.
Abdel Moneim Osman
In this interview, Abdel Moneim Osman, Director of the UNESCO Regional Bureau of Education in Arab States and Secretary of GUNI Arab States, reflects upon the challenges for higher education and UNESCO’s projects in the region. He also gives his vision on how higher education institutions can...
David Francis
Professor David Francis reflects on the role of higher education institutions in peace building and gives some concrete examples of how universities can contribute to post-conflict societies.
Bikas C. Sanyal
In this review of global funding trends in higher education (HE), Bikas C. Sanyal, expresses the view that it is impossible to stop private institutions coming into HE because the public sector cannot provide for the enormous demand. Bikas Sanyal believes that UNESCO should concentrate on ensuring...
Edgar Morin - Professor. National Centre for Scientific Research
“If we only pursue a type of knowledge based on what can be calculated, we will be turning a blind eye to human reality.”
Vladimir M. Filippov
In this interview Vladimir M. Filippov, Rector of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, a GUNI Member institution, presents the university’s new projects to foster its social responsibility.