European Higher Education, Social Responsibility, and the Local Democratic Mission [Paperback]

Education is about more than preparing students for the labor market; it is about preparing them to be active citizens in democratic societies, to engage in personal growth, and to develop a broad, advanced knowledge base. As Sjur Bergan emphasizes inEuropean Higher Education, Social Responsibility, and the Local Democratic Mission, advocacy is required to ensure that higher education institutions meet these goals through cooperation with their local communities.

Bergan outlines the political and institutional complexity of European universities. He explains how history, cultural traditions, and national identities impact education across Europe. He also describes the roles of the Council of Europe and U.S. higher education in the development of a transatlantic cooperation on the democratic mission of higher education. Other chapters explore education programs for developing and maintaining democracy and human rights, pragmatic and creative ways that European universities are working with their local communities, and the development of education opportunities for refugees.

Ultimately, Bergan’s book explores not only the local democratic mission of higher education as it has developed in Europe, but also how it could continue to develop, and why it is important it does so.
In the seriesHigher Education, Place, and Social Responsibility.Forthcoming Spring 2025“Sjur Bergan has, over many years and during a time when rankings and economic performance have received significant attention in discussions on higher education, been a strong and clear voice for the fundamental values that higher education must build upon. InEuropean Higher Education, Social Responsibility, and the Local Democratic Mission, he argues strongly and convincingly that universities must work with and within the local community and that this is crucial in the fight for democracy and against distrust, polarization, conspiracyl3´