As part of my involvement in the Kettering Foundation and Talloires Networks international collaborative research partnership into studying Regional Perspectives on University Civic Engagement, I along with my community partner Nghomes (Margaret Layden) was invited to participate in the Network's International Leaders conference “Live Engagement, Transform Lives” held in South Africa in December 2014.

This event convened leaders of universities from around the world to chart the next stage of the global movement of higher education civic engagement and social responsibility. 

This was an opportunity to engage and listen to colleagues and student leaders from many universities across the globe and discuss and share experiences and plans to “move beyond the ivory tower” in ensuring that universities uphold their civic mission to advancing university-community partnerships.

This esteemed gathering provided a platform and opportunity for us to showcase our contribution (University of Glasgow) to the discussion through our community based programme, Activate, to a wide audience of academics and civic leaders. We presented the voices of the students who had participated in the Activate programme, who in the main are community activists, local volunteers and local workers, was warmly welcomed by those in attendance.

They got to hear first-hand the difference and impact this programme has made to their lives and those of the wider community. Thus ensuring the ripple effect continues beyond the individual.