Building Partnerships between higher education institutions and communities in order to facilitate public participation Damaris Kiewiets, Priscilla Daniels & Tracey- Ann Adonis

Introduction We need to be creative and innovative in our attempts to facilitate public participation!!!! FACT: Political participation and civic engagement is found to increase when members of society are adequately equipped through education. Universities / Higher Education Institutions need to partner with communities in community based research to contribute to a strong knowledge-based economy in their country

Higher Education Institutions are places of:

Communities are places of:

Purpose-driven partnerships are key to sustainable communities!!

Defining engagement… Engagement is the partnership of university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum teaching and learning, prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues and respond to the public good (Bloomfield, 2005). The value of partnerships is therefore critical if we seek to facilitate public participation through scholarly university curricula and community engagement activities.

At the University of the Western Cape Partnership with the Provincial and Local Governments in the Western Cape The university develops curricula specifically geared at providing opportunities for community members who are actively engaged in their communities. Often, these community members have not had opportunities to engage in further education opportunities and the courses developed therefore give them access to the university and facilitates the development of skills in order to contribute to sustainable community development.

GOAL!!!! Partnership with the Provincial and Local Governments in the Western Cape The university develops curricula specifically geared at providing opportunities for community members who are actively engaged in their communities. Often, these community members have not had opportunities to engage in further education opportunities and the courses developed therefore give them access to the university and facilitates the development of skills in order to contribute to sustainable community development.

Thank you!!!!