University Community Engagement, How good is it?

Thursday 4 August 2005

"The problem of the city is the problem of the University, and the improvement of the community is one vehicle for making a truly great University," says Professor Ira Harkavy, Director of the Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania (USA).

Professor Harkavy will deliver a public lecture on community engagement at Newcastle City Hall on Monday 8 August.

The lecture "Our Community, Our Future" will be hosted by the University of Newcastle and will discuss how universities can work together with schools, the community and government bodies to enhance the social and economic development of regions.

Professor Harkavy says democratic decision-making through community partnerships result in better education for students.

"Universities have the most resources and ability to make a huge impact on the community and are used as the standard by which all other schools measure themselves, and thus have even more of a responsibility to set strong examples."

Ira Harkavy is Associate Vice President and founding Director of the Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania and teaches in the departments of history, urban studies, Africana studies and city and regional planning.

Professor Harkavy is visiting Australia on a Fullbright Scholarship and is supported by The Australian Consortium, a body that analyses national trends and practices of community engagement and Eidos, a consortium of universities, government and non government agencies committed to improving education and social research policy and practice.

What: Public Lecture, "Our Community, Our Future."
Where: Newcastle City Hall
When: 9 am to 10:30 Monday 8 August 2005.

Professor Harkavy will only be available for media questions at the public lecture. Details from the Media Unit on 02 4921 5351.