Responsabilidad social universitaria y ciudadanía planetaria: una cuestión pendiente

Abstract

Some fundamental aspects that underlie the concept of University Social Responsibility (USR) are the reflection on the role and contribution that the University can and should develop in the society to which it belongs, but with a projection towards a global world. The USR-NET project European Network of Socially Responsible Universities-, is implemented by nine European organizations (four of which are universities). Its general objectives are to support the implementation of the USR, guiding the necessary actions for this; the development of a consensual concept about the USR in Europe, as well as the promotion of awareness of the need for a transversal integration of the USR in all universities.In the elaboration of the theoretical framework, it has been necessary a deep study on: the concept of USR, the good practices and the synergy between the university and the planetary society. The first outcomes that we can offer arise from this review, which highlights the need to approach the USR as a reference for the design and management of the university and, above all, the importance of the contextualization of the actions according to the moment and needs of the medium. The look towards Latin America has been mandatory due to its experience and long trajectory in this field. As contribution, we have been able to elaborate our own definition of USR for the debate, as well as key aspects for the identification of actions based on the USR.