Higher Education’s Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic: Building a more Sustainable and Democratic Future

9:30-11:00 EST / 2:30-4:00 CET 

Webinar co-organised by the Council of Europe, the International Consortium for Higher Education, Civic Responsibility and Democracy (chaired by Ira Harkavy), and the International Association of Universities (IAU). The COVID-19 pandemic is a watershed. Higher education had to react rapidly and make daunting decisions on how to reorganise teaching, learning, and research, as well as other activities. Institutions needed to take account of the health and safety of students and staff as well as of the approach established by public authorities for addressing the sudden health crisis. Beyond this immediate response, higher education must play a major role in helping to shape a better, more equitable and just post-COVID world.

To better understand “Higher education’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic”, the Council of Europe has published a book, co-edited by representatives from the Council, the International Consortium for Higher Education, Civic Responsibility and Democracy, and the IAU, describing the various ways in which higher education is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is designed to help universities, specifically their staff, students, and partners, contribute to a more sustainable and democratic future. Authors who contributed to the book will be webinar panelists. Learn more.

Panelists:

• Ligia Deca, Presidential Adviser to the President of Romania, Department of Education and Research.
• Paul Pribbenow, President, Augsburg University, USA.
• Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor, Makerere University, Uganda.
• Naoto Yoshikawa, Vice Chancellor for Global Initiatives, Tokai University.

Moderator:

• Sjur Bergan, Head of the Education Department, Council of Europe.

Q&A:

• Hilligje van’t Land, Secretary-General, IAU.

Closing Remarks:

• Ira Harkavy, Associate Vice President and Founding Director, Barbara and Edward Netter Center for Community Partnerships, University of Pennsylvania; Chair, International Consortium.

Free and open to the public.  A recording will also be made available after the session.