Talloires Network Remembers Emilio Botín, Chairman of Banco Santander

Emilio Botín, an ardent supporter of universities in his role as chairman of Banco Santander, passed away in September. Botín was a distinguished leader in international business and philanthropy who made higher education his cause. Under his guidance, Santander grew from a regional bank to one of the largest and most highly regarded banking institutions in the world.

In addition to his business savvy, Botín emerged as a pioneer for augmenting universities’ civic role. He created the Santander Universities Global Division, which supports more than 1,100 universities in 20 countries.  He leaves a unique legacy of commitment to higher education, including support for student financial aid.  In 2012, Santander donated 130 million euros to institutions of higher education, and the bank provided over 31,000 grants and scholarships to students. His dramatic and enduringing philanthropic initiative was the development of Universia, the world’s largest university network. Universia connects more than 15 million students at 1,242 universities in 23 countries.

“The world of higher education is mourning a generous giant,” said Tufts University president Tony Monaco, “Mr. Botín will be remembered as a dynamic leader who impacted thousands of lives through his commitment to higher education.”

Universia Rio Declaration Advocates University Social Responsibility

More than 1,000 university leaders from around the world gathered in Rio de Janeiro in late July, and took a decisive stance supporting the social responsibility of universities in the future. In their ten-point declaration, Universia attendees advocated that social and environmental responsibility “must be an unwavering commitment by university institutions if they aspire to respond to the sensitivities of their time and place, in order to serve as a unique instrument in pursuit of poverty alleviation, social inclusion, wellbeing, development, creativity, the transmission of values, social transformation, equal opportunities and environmental protection.”

“This commitment is to be deployed through various initiatives and actions, among which the following should be prioritized: increasing access to universities, particularly for students from disadvantaged families; training in principles, values and skills; strengthening gender policies; attention to groups with special needs; defence of social inclusion and care of more sustainable and balanced development, where environmental protection becomes an unwavering centrality.”

Focusing on Ibero-American universities, the Rio Declaration also highlights the role of institutions of higher education as engines of social and economic development:

“The impact of Ibero-American Universities has an undeniable importance in its closest institutional, economic, and social environment, establishing itself in this way as the main driver of local progress in many cases. The role of universities in close cooperation with governments, companies, and other institutions and players is crucial for the implementation of local development projects that fruitfully connect training and research with the needs of the environment, while establishing linking mechanisms with the production system and facilitating entrepreneurship and employability of graduates.”

Talloires Network Steering Committee Chairman Mark Gearan, President of Hobart and William Smith Colleges, said: “We congratulate Universia in another successful gathering. The discussions, ideas, and insights coming from Universia will make an impact in colleges and communities around the world.”

Talloires Network Leaders Conference

The preliminary schedule for #TNLC2014 has been uploaded on the official conference website. The schedule includes pre-conference gatherings, plenaries, breakout sessions, networking breaks, cultural events and the MacJannet Prize presentation ceremony. Learn More>>>

Time is running out to submit entries for the 2014 Talloires Network Leaders Conference Video Competition. The deadline is October 31st. Submissions should highlight a local university program dedicated to student community engagement. Following the conference theme of “Live Engagement, Transform Lives”, we seek inspired work about university students making an impact in their communities. Please encourage students at your university to participate. Learn More>>>

The last day to register to attend the conference is October 31. Don’t miss the deadline! Learn More>>>

Partner Network News

Only 45 days remain until AsiaEngage’s 2nd Regional Conference. The theme for the gathering is “Innovation & Creativity: Collaborating with Communities to Tackle Problems across ASEAN, Asia and Beyond“. It will take place from the 17th to 20th of November 2014 in Bali, Indonesia. Learn More>>>

All the materials from the 17th annual “Learning and Solidary Service” seminar in Buenos Aires have been uploaded to the CLAYSS (The Latin American Center for Learning and Service) website. You can now access powerpoint presentations and handouts from all the seminar’s workshops, panel discussions, and plenaries. Learn More>>>

Exciting news out of Ireland’s Campus Engage network: NUI Galway has been awarded €345,000 for the development of Europe Engage: a European community-based learning project. The project will deliver key objectives to encourage a culture of civic engagement in the European Union. The project involves higher education institutions in Ireland, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Croatia, Lithuania, Belgium, Finland, Austria, and Spain. Learn More>>>

The Pakistan Chapter of Talloires Network (PCTN) fall newsletter, CommPact, is now available. It includes civic engagement activities of 25 member institutions. CommPact’s second issue features information on the first PCTN steering committee meeting, and on the plan to hold the annual VC’s/Rector’s Conference and Seminar on Civic Engagement in Spring 2015. Learn More>>>

Talloires Network Programs and Announcements

Leaders in the Civic Engagement Movement: South Africa

In anticipation of our conference, the tenth edition of the expanded series features an introduction to South Africa and the University of Cape Town. Featured interviews include Dr. Max Price, Vice-Chancellor at UCT; Ms. Elli Yiannakaris, Director of the Raymond Ackerman Academy (RAA); and Ms. Samantha Mtinini, alumna of RAA and business owner. Learn More>>>

Steering Committee Nominations and Election

Thank you for your nominations of candidates for the Talloires Network Steering Committee. The Nominating Committee has reviewed the nominations and will be advancing a slate of 8 candidates for election to the 4 vacancies later this month. Please watch for the election email and be sure to vote!

Opportunities and Announcements

The New England Resource Center for Higher Education (NERCHE) and the Center for Engaged Democracy (CED) are launching a new research initiative aimed at studying key community engagement issues. The three research areas considered priorities are: structures of inclusion, leadership, and student outcomes. Three research grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded. Proposals are due November 20, 2014. Learn More>>>

McGill University invites applications to the 2015 International Forum for Young Leaders. This event brings together individuals under 30 years of age who have demonstrated their passion for implementing innovative, entrepreneurial solutions to the world’s most pressing problems, and offering them an opportunity to interact and benefit from each other’s experience. The forum is held in Montreal, and the deadline to apply is October 31st. Learn More>>>

The editors of Science Education & Civic Engagement: An International Journal invite manuscript submissions for a special issue of the journal that will focus on informal science education. The journal publishes articles that examine how to use important civic issues as a context to engage students, stimulate their interest, and promote their success in mathematics, engineering and science. Learn More>>>

Papers and Publications

University World News, official media partner of TNLC 2014, features the Talloires Network in their new article, Rewarding Academics for Civic Engagement Gains Ground. Lorlene Hoyt, TN’s Director of Programs and Research, and representatives from Chile, Ghana and South Africa are interviewed in the piece. Learn More>>>

The fifth and final volume of a series on civic engagement has been released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. The monograph, Civic Learning and Teaching, contributes to an understanding of why civic engagement’s integration in higher education – both inside and outside the classroom – matters for students, faculty, campus professionals, and community members. Learn More>>>

Upcoming Events

Talloires Network staff will be in attendance at Making Cents International’s 2014 Global Youth Economic Opportunities Summit. Designed for funders, private sector companies, policy makers, youth leaders, implementers, educators, and researchers, this summit attracts more than 400 attendees from 50 countries. Learn More>>>

The inaugural Community Knowledge Exchange Summit (CKX) will take place in Toronto, Canada from November 19 to 21, 2014. CKX is taking the traditional conference model and turning it on its head. Inspired by the spirit of South by Southwest, CKX will be community-based and participant-driven. Learn More>>>