Three people in discussion around a table

Universities as Frontline Responders

OSUN and the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities have come together to build a global initiative that encourages universities to lead as bold and nimble civic actors who partner with communities to respond swiftly and intelligently to unexpected societal challenges.

Universities as Frontliners working team

Expanding Universities' Public Purpose

In 2023, a working group was organized to promote cross-border dialogues among civic leaders at universities in Bangladesh, Chile, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, and Pakistan. In 2024, the group convened 50 higher education leaders from 22 countries to explore and synthesize the different models that institutions employ as frontline responders. Participants also released a call to action encouraging higher education institutions around the world to develop ways to structure their research, teaching, and service practices to address urgent local issues.

Universities as Frontline Responders: A Call to Action

The Call to Action lays the foundation for a model that bridges the gap between academia and real-world problems through engaged research, foregrounding community-based teaching and experiential learning, and supporting students as they develop professional skills for ethical and effective crisis management. The white paper also strongly suggests that engaged universities operate within networks in coordinated actions that expand their public purpose beyond teaching and research.

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From Rankings and KPIs to Empathy Ecosystems, Frontline Responders Ask How to Move the Needle on Campus Civic Engagement
Post Date: April 15, 2025