It is these very educational establishments and their communities of students and instructors that will be confronted with an unprecedented number of problems in the future, as will the system in which they operate. Changes in demographics, declining provincial budgets, revolutionary advances in information and communication technologies, globalisation, and competition from new educational providers are just some of the forces at play. Others include market pressures to reshape educational and scholarly practises in service of profit motives, as well as growing demands for fundamental changes in public policy and public accountability in relation to the role of higher education. Collectively, these issues make it more difficult for education to continue or enhance its essential work of serving the public good.
We may agree that a broad-based effort is needed to strengthen the relationship between higher education and society, not only the efforts of individual institutions, departments, and organisations.
Strategies for change must have a shared vision and set of common goals in order to be effective. It is more promising to use a “movement” strategy to reform academic culture than the current “organisational” one.
Strategic alliances, networks and partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders within and outside of education are necessary to mobilise change.
Common Agenda aims to support a “movement” approach to change by encouraging the formation of strategic alliances between individuals and organisations concerned with the role of higher education in advancing the ideals of a diverse democratic system through educational practises, relationships and service to society..
A Joint Purpose
An open process and a “living” document, the Common Agenda aims to guide collaborative action and learning among stakeholders in and beyond higher education. It is a collection of concentrated activities aiming at improving civic, social, and cultural roles in society that is a living document. While acknowledging the unique activities and programmatic interests of individuals, organisations, and networks, and the broader interests of society as a whole, this cooperatively developed, implemented, and targeted Common Agenda takes into account these considerations. An open approach for integrating work and connections around common interests, the Common Agenda emphasises academia’s responsibility in helping society as a whole as a focal point. The Common Agenda process will offer a variety of ways to alienate and amplify the common effort in and outside of education.
This strategy is unquestionably bold and one-of-a-kind. For those who believe that education is essential to solving society’s most pressing problems, the Common Agenda challenges the system of higher education and those who believe that education is essential to solving society’s most pressing problems. The Common Agenda’s current focus is being shaped by four major issues: 2) Building networks and partnerships; 3) Reinforcing and infusing civic responsibility into higher education institutions’ cultures; 4) Integrating civic engagement and social responsibility into the educational system’s structure are all steps in the process of increasing public understanding and support for civic mission and action.
VISION It is our goal to promote and practise learning, scholarship, and participation that respects the public’s demands in higher education in order to cultivate individual prosperity and institutional responsiveness and inclusivity. Students and faculty at our universities are engaged in a wide range of community and global issues. Throughout their lives, our students demonstrate a high level of moral character, a willingness to engage in community service, and a commitment to cultural diversity.
MISSION There are three main goals of the Common Agenda. The first is to establish a framework for the management of education’s responsibilities to a diverse democratic system.
STRATEGIC IDEAS
Education should be a vehicle for social and ethical reform, as well as a vehicle for societal change for the better. On the basis of mutual regard, reciprocity, and mutual respect, we believe that educational institutions and the communities they serve are mutually dependent on each other.