This is the June edition of the Talloires Network newsletter. Please sign up to receive news and updates from the Talloires Network Secretariat each month.

New Accomplishments and Future Connections

Tony Monaco Dear colleagues,

The Talloires Network continues to look ahead. In this month’s newsletter, we focus on our search for a host for the 2017 Talloires Network Leaders Conference (TNLC) and feature insightful ideas and interesting programs. At the same time, we say good-bye to a good friend with the departure of a valued colleague who is leaving the TN Secretariat for a new opportunity.

Less than a month remains for members and partner organizations to express their interest in hosting the 2017 TNLC. We ask that you reflect on your vision for the conference, and share ideas for venues, transportation, lodging, and interpretation through our online form. After successful gatherings in Madrid and Cape Town, we are looking forward to gathering again in a welcoming city. We are sure that TNLC 2017 will be our biggest event yet.

Our steering committee will be gathering in New York City in September to continue outlining next steps for our movement. On September 24th, we will host a luncheon to celebrate the 10th year anniversary of the Talloires Network. I encourage you to email the TN Secretariat if you’re interested in attending.

One of the action points discussed during last year’s conference was the crucial role that civic engagement should play when it comes to college rankings. In Africa, universities are demonstrating that engagement means excellence, as 7 Talloires Network member universities were recently ranked in the top 10 for the continent. As part of our efforts in this important area, earlier this month Steering Committee Vice-Chair Cheryl de la Rey and I had very productive meetings in London with Phil Baty, editor in charge of global rankings at Times Higher Education. On behalf of TN, we discussed the importance of civic engagement to universities around the world, and opportunities for rankings systems to reflect it more accurately. It was a very productive conversation and we look forward to sharing more information soon on our efforts.

While much work remains to be done, together we can ensure that a culture of public service and active citizenship becomes central to the mission of higher education. In Ireland, they are showing the way. This month’s story in our series on Leaders in the Civic Engagement Movement highlights leaders in Campus Engage, the Irish national civic engagement network.

Lastly, we thank Maureen Keegan for her work as Program Administrator. Since she stepped into her role three years ago, the Talloires Network has grown in numbers and in the depth of our connection. Best wishes to her as she moves on to graduate school.

Sincerely,

Anthony P. Monaco

Talloires Network Programs and Announcements

All member universities and regional networks are invited to submit their expressions of interest to host the 2017 Talloires Network Leaders Conference (TNLC). The deadline to submit the corresponding form is July 10, 2015. Learn More>>>

Our TN Connects online platform is beginning to grow. We are now featuring posts that highlight programs in South Africa, Mexico, Chile, and Pakistan. Join today and start participating! Learn More>>>

Our University Volunteers Program welcomes its second cohort of student volunteers. This program facilitates international exchanges focused on civic engagement and community building, as an alternative to regular study abroad opportunities. A total of 17 volunteers will be participating this year – six from Mexico, four from Spain, two from Hong Kong, two from Chile, and one from each of the following: Colombia, South Africa, and Sudan. Learn More>>>

The Talloires Network Steering Committee will be meeting next September 23-24 in New York City, United States. As part of this event, we will host a luncheon celebrating ten years of the Talloires Network. Email the TN Secretariat if you are interested in attending.

Thanks to the delegation from Lingnan University that visited Tufts University on June 8, 2015. This university recently approved a service-learning graduation requirement, and visited several New England colleges to learn about civic engagement work in this region of the United States.

A Special Message from Maureen Keegan

Maureen Keegan While it is bittersweet to end this chapter of my career, I am pleased to share that Brianda Hernandez, who has actively contributed to the Talloires Network as a graduate assistant for the past two years, will assume the role of Program Administrator on July 6. She and I will work together throughout the month of July to ensure a smooth transition before my departure in early August. If you would like to introduce yourself to, welcome, or congratulate Brianda, you may email her.

My three years at TN have been challenging and rewarding. In my roles, I have had the opportunity to work with our members throughout the world andI have enjoyed learning about the remarkable work that is taking place at these institutions, especially through my experience managing the annual MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship.

After I finish my time with TN, I will continue in higher education and pursue a Master in Business Administration at the University of Virginia. As I think about next steps in my career, I know that my experience at TN has instilled in me a desire to follow a path where I will have a positive impact on society.

I look forward to following the work of TN and all of its members, partners and supporters, as you continue to strengthen the university civic engagement movement.

Best Wishes,

Maureen

Leaders in the Civic Engagement Movement

This month’s edition of the Leaders in the Civic Engagement Movement series highlights prominent civic engagement practitioners from Ireland. This is the twelfth edition of the expanded series. It features the Campus Engage national network, as well as an interview with Lorraine McIlrath, TN Steering Committee member and coordinator of the Community Knowledge Initiative at the National University of Ireland Galway. Learn More>>>

Partners News

Next month, Engagement Australia will hold its 2015 International Conference. This gathering of engaged scholars and practitioners will explore broad strategic themes and their interplay with engaged training, learning, research, and service practices. Learn More>>>

In late August, CLAYSS (Latin American Center for Service-Learning) will convene its International Service-Learning Conference for the 18th consecutive year. The Argentine capital of Buenos Aires will be the site for a week of activities including a service-learning research symposium and a gathering of engaged youth. Learn More>>>

The Board of PASCAL International Observatory is honored to announce that TN member Tecnológico de Monterrey (Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education) has become the next PASCAL Centre, the first in a Spanish-speaking country. With a historic commitment to the teaching of entrepreneurship, an active program for life-long learning, and Mexico’s unique program for college students to serve as volunteers, Tec de Monterrey has much to bring to PASCAL and much to benefit from it. Learn More>>>

Opportunities and Announcements

The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) invites proposals of substantive, interactive sessions that will raise provocative questions, engage participants in consideration of evidence of “what works,” and create and encourage dialogue at the 2016 annual meeting, to be held in Washington, DC on January 2016. Learn More>>>

To support new and future leaders of higher education institutions, the International Association of Universities (IAU) has developed a leadership program entitled: Leading Globally Engaged Universities (LGEU). The program is for institutional leaders who wish to extend their experience by engaging with peers from other countries. The first session of the program will take place during November 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Learn More>>>

The Canadian Alliance for Community Service Learning (CACSL) invites you to watch a webinar entitled “Engineering Justice: Transforming Engineering Education and Practice.” The webinar is part of the Scholarship in Engineering for Social Justice forum. Learn More>>>

Upcoming Events

The Millennium Campus Conference is an annual summit for university student leaders advancing global development to meet, learn, and connect with a global community. This year, the 7th Annual Millennium Campus Conference becomes a launch pad for the campaigns you care about the most. The conference takes place on August 11-15, 2015 in New York City. Learn More>>>

The 4th University-Community Engagement Conference will take place in Gold Coast, Australia in November. UCEC is the biennial conference promoted by the Asia-Pacific University-Community Engagement Network. Learn More>>>

Campus Compact invites all Talloires Network members to attend its 30th Anniversary conference, “Accelerating Change: Engagement for Impact.” The event will be held in Boston in March 2016. All TN members are eligible for the Campus Compact member rate. Please fill out the online form to obtain the member discount code. Learn More>>>

Papers and Publications

The first edition of RIDAS: Revista Iberoamericana de Aprendizaje Servicio is now available. This magazine, published in Spanish, highlights best practices in service-learning and university social responsibility in Latin America and the Iberian peninsula. Learn More>>>

Professor Pierre Viljoen, Chair of Engagement Australia, recently penned a thought piece titled “The Blind Men and the Elephant.” Inspired by a piece by American poet John Godfrey Saxe, Viljoen reflects on some of the opportunities and challenges for university civic engagement in the future. Learn More>>>

The Talloires Network Student Ambassadors have begun publishing their blog series, bringing a youth perspective to the discussion on university civic engagement. Purity Wamuyu wrote “Kenyan Universities Improve Environmental Practices to Reach Sustainable Development Goals,” while Basavanagouda Patil and Ipshita Bhuwania published a piece titled “Law Students Helping their Community: A Story from India.“

June 2015 Newsletter