Higher education addresses global ethical challenges
A new initiative in higher education was launched last week as the leaders of six American…
Georgia (Sep 23, 2005) — Higher education addresses global ethical challenges
Frances Weyand
Abstract
Contact: Frances Weyand‚ Director of University Relations‚ 770−423−6203 or fweyand@kennesaw.edu
A new initiative in higher education was launched last week as the leaders of six
American universities gathered at England’s Oxford University for a four−day conclave
on the responsibilities of higher education in addressing the global ethical challenges
of the 21st century.
“We have witnessed in the past decade ethical failures in all walks of life: business‚
sports‚ government and even religion‚” said Dr. Betty L. Siegel‚ president of Kennesaw
State University (KSU) and chair of the conclave. “As leaders in higher education‚
we have admitted with some chagrin that many‚ if not most‚ of the persons involved
in society’s scandals have been products of our universities and colleges.”
The Oxford Conclave on Global Ethics and the Changing University Presidency was conducted
by KSU’s RTM Institute for Leadership‚ Ethics & Character. It marked the beginning
of an ongoing collaboration of the participating universities‚ with plans to involve
many other institutions in coming months. Held at Oxford’s historic Balliol College‚
the gathering included delegations from KSU; University of Alaska‚ Anchorage; City
University of New York‚ Staten Island; University of North Dakota; Utah Valley State
University; and University of West Georgia.
The delegates—university presidents and members of their leadership teams—studied
global trends and considered their implications for higher education. These included
trends in population growth‚ resource management‚ technological change‚ knowledge
development‚ economic integration‚ conflict patterns and institutional governance.
Discussions focusing on ethical leadership were led by distinguished thinkers including
Dr. Lawrence Carter‚ dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse
College; Frances Hesselbein‚ chairman of the board of governors of the Leader to Leader
Institute; Dr. Howard Gardner‚ the John H. and Elisabeth A. Hobbs Professor of Cognition
and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education; and Sir Timothy Lankester‚
president of Corpus Christi College‚ Oxford University. Mr. John Hume‚ 1998 Nobel
Peace Prize laureate‚ was unable to attend due to illness; in recognition of his inspiration
of the conclave‚ the meeting and future programs were dedicated to him.
The Oxford program was facilitated by Dr. Judith Stillion‚ executive director of the
RTM Institute‚ and Dr. John C. Knapp‚ president of the Southern Institute for Business
& Professional Ethics and professor of ethical leadership at KSU. In an exploration
of higher education’s role in today’s global society‚ the university leaders focused
on the need to produce a generation of ethical leaders capable of functioning effectively
in an increasingly complex world.
An important outcome of the conclave was a draft Statement of Beliefs and Responsibilities
based on a “strong imperative for global ethical leadership” and the obligation of
higher education to collaborate with other sectors of society in pursuit of a “dynamic
plan for a more promising future.” The statement calls for university leaders to work
to increase access to quality education; emphasize research relevant to the challenges
facing a global society; broaden their commitment to service in society; actively
model ethical leadership and civil discourse; and further the time−honored role of
higher education in pursuing truth and meaning. It also calls for strengthened commitments
to interdisciplinary exploration of global problems and the development of students’
capacities for ethical leadership‚ moral reasoning‚ conflict resolution and the discovery
of individual purpose. The statement will be presented at the fall meeting of the
American Association of State Colleges and Universities with an invitation to others
to endorse it.
Siegel said the conclave was held at Oxford‚ in part‚ because of the university’s
historical significance. “Oxford represents much of higher education’s heritage‚ including
some of the nobler ideals of the university and its purpose. As we look to the future‚
it is helpful to remember our roots.”
A series of activities will be held over the next year‚ culminating in summer 2006
with a larger conclave at Oxford involving a larger number of American institutions.
***
The RTM Institute for Leadership‚ Ethics & Character‚ sponsor of the conference‚ is
the cornerstone of Kennesaw State efforts to establish a consistent focus on ethical
leadership and global understanding throughout its curriculum‚ student development
activities and community services. Founded four years ago‚ the institute provides
faculty training‚ programs for community leaders‚ conferences for scholars and many
other services to support the university in this commitment. One of RTM’s best−known
programs‚ developed at the request of the governor of Georgia‚ involves ethics orientation
sessions for hundreds of state government officials.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its approximately 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status, and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
