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In October 2010, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart
University will be organising a World Universities Congress on the
theme: "What should be the new aims and responsibilities of
universities within the framework of global issues?"
The main responsibilities of universities around the world have
traditionally been to offer education and training leading to a
profession, to conduct scientific research, and to provide other
services to the community. However, in a world where global issues
are increasingly impacting on daily life, universities today have
a duty to assume more responsibility in a wider field.
The trend towards globalisation, resulting from factors such as
efforts to integrate national economies, an increase in
international and intercultural relations, and the disappearance
of national borders in the sphere of communications, has brought
with it a number of problems. It is therefore necessary for topics
such as those listed below to be discussed at university level.
Universities need to redefine their aims and responsibilities
and to make and share suggestions for lasting solutions on
international platforms. In addition to the three traditional
tasks mentioned above, universities need to define their duties
and objectives with regard to the following topics:
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Understanding and preventing global climate
change |
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Preventing global terrorism |
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Eradicating global poverty |
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Solving the problems of global migration |
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Eradicating inequalities in income
distribution |
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Eradicating injustice in health services |
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Eradicating inequality in
educational opportunities. |
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Proposing solutions to environmental
pollution |
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Preventing regional conflicts |
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Securing world peace |
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Protecting cultural heritage |
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Developing lasting solutions to rapid
population growth |
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Expanding the role of non-governmental
organisations in local and international developments |
These issues, which threaten the whole of
mankind, cannot be solved only by international or transnational
organisations, such as the United Nations, European Union, UNESCO,
OECD and G8, or by governments alone. Universities can make a
significant contribution by participating in the debate. In order
to assist in resolving these issues, universities need first of
all to include relevant goals in their strategic planning, to
create research and training centres, and to rethink their
teaching programmes. Universities will have the opportunity to
determine what can be done during sessions at the Congress.
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University intends to bring together
universities and other closely associated institutions,
researchers and intellectuals, and to provide a wide-ranging forum
to discuss the above-mentioned and similar global issues
threatening our planet and the new tasks and roles of universities
in the process of seeking solutions. We therefore look forward to
hearing your views and suggestions with regard to the goals and
themes of the World Universities Congress which Çanakkale
Onsekiz Mart University will host from 20th - 24th October 2010
and we would most value your participation in the Congress.
Yours sincerely
Prof. Dr. Ali Akdemir
Rector
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