A growing international association of engaged universities strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of higher education
Engaged universities from around the world are working together through the Talloires Network, an international alliance formed in 2005, which now numbers 202 institutions in 58 countries, with a combined student population of almost 5.8 million. Reinforced by their participation in this network, these universities are reducing poverty and improving public health in their communities, and are educating future leaders for change.
In September 2005, 29 higher education leaders from 23 countries gathered at Tufts University European Center in Talloires, France, for the first international gathering of heads of higher education institutions devoted to strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of higher education. They crafted the Talloires Declaration, a consensus vision for the future of this work. The Talloires Network was formed to promote action around the principles of the Declaration.
Campus Compact is a partner in the Talloires Network, which brings together policy makers, faculty, administrators, staff, and students to build the capacity of higher education institutions to improve human and social development. The network provides training, seed grants, and technical assistance, access to tools and information, and advocates for public policies that reinforce university civic engagement and social responsibility. It promotes partnerships and the sharing of promising practices, connecting leaders at each member institution with other innovative people and ideas. The network is open to all and can be easily accessed through its website at: http://www.tufts.edu/talloiresnetwork
The Talloires Network Announces Call for Nominations from Exceptional University Community Engagement Programs
The Talloires Network has announced a call for nominations for the fourth annual MacJannet Prize. The Prize recognizes exceptional civic engagement initiatives based at Talloires Network member universities around the world and contributes financially to their ongoing public service efforts.
The MacJannet Prize was instituted to further the Talloires Network’s mission of strengthening the civic roles and social responsibilities of higher education. The first three years of the MacJannet Prize were a tremendous success. With about 70 nominations from dozens of universities around the world each year, the MacJannet Prize Selection Committee has been able to select a diverse group of innovative and effective winning programs.
Three prizes will be awarded in 2012: 1st Prize ($7,500), 2nd Prize ($5,000), and 3rd Prize ($2,500). Prize money will be used to further the goals and strengthen the impact of the awarded programs. Winning programs will be profiled on the Talloires Network website and highlighted in communications reaching thousands of higher education contacts worldwide.
Only programs originating from member institutions of the Talloires Network are eligible for the Prize. To be considered, programs must be nominated by 15 February 2012. Nominations will be accepted from students, faculty, staff, or administrators at member institutions. Leaders of higher education institutions around the world are invited and encouraged to join the Talloires Network. There is no fee for membership.
For additional information on the MacJannet Prize or the Talloires Network, contact the Talloires Network secretariat at talloiresnetwork {at} tufts(.)edu or visit our website: http://www.tufts.edu/talloiresnetwork/?pid=312
The Talloires Declaration on the Civic Roles and Social Responsibilities of Higher Education
All signatories to the Declaration have committed their institutions to educating for social responsibility and civic engagement, and to strengthening the application of university resources to the needs of local and global communities. The Talloires Declaration, as it has come to be known, is available in English, Arabic, French, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu.
Talloires Regional Partnerships
In order to make their work more relevant and context-driven, the Talloires Network is pursuing a strategy of partnering with (and some cases catalyzing the creation of) regional higher education networks committed to civic engagement. Thus far, they have concluded formal agreements with the following networks, including Campus Compact:
AUCEA: The Australian Universities Community Engagement Alliance
An alliance of 34 Australian universities committed to university-community engagement to promote the social, environmental, economic, and cultural development of communities. AUCEA promotes direct and mutually beneficial interaction between universities and communities that is essential for the development and application of knowledge and the shaping of our future citizens.
Learn more at the AUCEA website»
Campus Compact
Campus Compact is a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents – representing some 6 million students – dedicated to promoting community service, civic engagement, and service-learning in higher education. Campus Compact seeks to educate college students to become active citizens who are well-equipped to develop creative solutions to society’s most pressing issues.
Campus Engage
Campus Engage is a network that aims to strengthen the relationship between higher education and the wider society, through promoting civic engagement activities in higher education in Ireland and facilitating the sharing of knowledge and resources between academic and civic communities. It supports the development of activities such as: service learning / community based learning, student volunteering, knowledge exchange and research, in order to increase the number of courses, activities and levels of participation in these areas across Irish higher education. Learn more at the Campus Engage website »
CLAYSS: The Latin American Center for Service-Learning
CLAYSS is an organization based in Argentina, with an objective to contribute to the growth of a cooperative culture in Latin America through the development of service-learning projects. CLAYSS connects schools, universities, and higher education institutions that promote service-learning, and it provides resources for teacher training and for optimizing projects. Learn more at the CLAYSS website »
The Ma’an Arab University Alliance for Civic Engagement
In October 2008, the American University in Cairo hosted a conference, sponsored by the Talloires Network, entitled Tadamunn: Toward Civic Engagement in Arab Education. The establishment of a network of Arab universities committed to advancing higher education civic engagement in the region arose from that conference. Working in collaboration with the Talloires Network, the Ma’an Arab University Alliance for Civic Engagement aims to bring together Arab universities with the collective goal of encouraging and enhancing civic engagement implementation in higher education. Learn more at the Ma’an Alliance website »
Russian Community Universities Network
This project, led by the New Eurasia Foundation in partnership with the Mott Foundation, is designed to support and promote mutually beneficial relations between Russian regional universities and civil society institutions by involving students and faculty of Russian regional universities in social practices geared to meet the needs of various community groups. a pilot group of universities is going through a process of identifying best practices in university community engagement, developing a strategic plan, training faculty and administrators, and implementing community engagement projects. Learn more at the New Eurasia Foundation’s website »
Additional Resources Affiliated with the Talloires Network
Innovations in Civic Participation
Executive Director, Susan Stroud
Innovations in Civic Participation (ICP) serves as the Secretariat for the Talloires Network. ICP is a non-profit organization supporting the development of innovative high-quality youth civic engagement policies and programs both in the US and around the world. ICP is a leader in the global movement to promote sustainable development and social change through youth civic engagement. They embrace a positive view of young people that recognizes their potential to create beneficial and lasting social change in their communities through active participation in service opportunities. For more information about Innovations in Civic Participation, click here.
Professor Saran Kaur Gill, DVC, Industry and Community Partnerships, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Asia-Talloires Network of Engaged Universities (ATNEU) dvcsaran{at}gmail.com
Dr. Barbara Ibrahim, Director, American University in Cairo, Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement, bibrahim{at}aucegypt.edu
Dr. Cristina Escrigas, Executive Director, Technical University of Catalonia, Global University Network for Innovation, cristina.escrigas{at}upc.edu
Ms. María Nieves Tapia, Director, Latin American Center for Service Learning (CLAYSS), clayss{at}fibertel.com.ar
Ms. Piyushi Kotecha, CEO, Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA), pk{at}Sarua.org
