On the 17th of October, CR&DALL, the Centre for Research and Development in Adult and Lifelong Learning, hosted a gathering of senior figures in higher education from all five continents. This meeting of minds considered the place of universities in our communities of the future.

The individuals participating in the ‘Global Dialogue 2’  represent all of the significant networks that exist world-wide in this area of study. Held in collaboration with the Global Alliance on Community-Engaged Research (GACER) the ‘Global Dialogue 2’ is chaired from the University of Glasgow by Professor M.J. Osborne (Director of CR&DALL and Co-Director of the PASCAL International Observatory) and by Professor Rajesh Tandon (Chair of GACER and President of Participatory Research Institute Asia (PRIA), India).

The objectives were, first, to produce a short collective statement that highlights a future vision for community-university research and engagement. For example: imagine the world report on higher education, knowledge and engagement for the year 2030, what are some of the key achievements that should have been made by our post-secondary institutions and communities working together?

Second, to explore priorities areas for collaboration amongst the various networks that might help them to achieve what they wish for 2030. For example: If one of the targets is to have some positive impact on the lives of the "bottom billion" people living in the world, what are some priorities or areas of engagement that the diverse networks might work towards?

Thirdly, the Global University Network for Innovation (GUNI) will focus its next World Report on Higher Education on Knowledge, Engagement and Post-Secondary Education in 2012/13. Forty per cent of the report will be on current trends, but 60 per cent should be on looking forward. So, what are the most promising areas for new or expanded investment in community-university research and engagement?

The dialogue will expand and facilitate discussion aimed at securing tangible outcomes for the processes of interaction between higher education institutions and systems and the communities they exist to serve.