Higher education and social engagement: An open glocal multiversity
Valtencir Maldonado Mendes (Global University Network for Innovation (GUNI)), Josep Lobera (Global University Network for Innovation (GUNI))
Abstract
At this point in history, education and knowledge resources are much more available than ever before and science and technology have seen spectacular advances. Knowledge is increasingly inseparable from citizenship and democracy. It is necessary to democratize knowledge and provide expert advice and a pluralist democratic institutions and citizens in general. There are at least three key issues regarding the use and impact of knowledge in our societies: 1) the need of a deeper understanding of how we build knowledge; 2) the ethical implications of scientific and technological research and its applications; and 3) the integration of knowledge from diverse backgrounds (community-based research, indigenous knowledge, intercultural dialogue). In the emerging knowledge society, boundaries between disciplines are blurred and we increasingly need to link different areas of knowledge to understand complex issues. Universities can contribute to a systematic and proactive criticism, discerning between knowledge, information and ideology. Universities also have the task of developing critical discourses and analytical structures with which human societies can continually reflect on the products of their knowledge, science and technology.
Universities are well positioned to help face local and global challenges on human and social development. They represent a singularity within the society; universities have a high density in capacities of management, creation and dissemination of knowledge. Their vision and mission need to be re-oriented towards the society challenges, beyond the paradigm of "ivory tower" or "market-oriented university". Challenges such as peace, sustainability, intercultural relations and the creation and distribution of socially relevant knowledge, among others, need to be present on the core activities of universities, strengthening their social responsibility. Thus, universities should strength their role of glocal agents of transformation: thinking and acting considering global and local issues at the same time. In order to do so, the university should be a space for thought, reflection and action, committed to the local and global issues; it should be open to the public and cooperate in network with other universities on a global scale.
In a time of rapid change, a major challenge for universities is anticipating the demands of society. This requires opening the doors of the institutions and establishing a dialogue with all social sectors. Universities have the challenge of becoming a cosmopolitan actor in the global society of knowledge and forge new links between knowledge and citizenship. Higher education should ensure that society is well prepared to answer the most pressing social problems, to expand its capacity for innovation and research and to promote the values necessary for a cohesive, harmonious and participatory democracy. A future vision of higher education to help face local and global challenges on human and social development must be articulated.
