On March 5, National College of Ireland hosted an event to consider the relations between third-level education and the communities around them. Emma Kytzia and Beatrice Cantalejo did a terrific job putting it all together.

Nick Rees (left) presided. I was asked to speak on “A Radical Vision for Third-Level Education Today: Re-Connecting with Community.” The lecture was followed by a panel discussion, guided by Paul Mooney, then questions from the audience, and finally, conversation over wine in the President’s office.

I drew from two examples in the Chicago area, Hull House and Paseo Boricua, to examine how educational institutions can re-connect with community. There was a little about current work with the College and the local schools in the Docklands community around widening participation in higher education.

The real focus of the evening was on how these experiences might inform education and community work in Dublin today. An excellent panel took up that topic:

• Mr Ken Duggan, School Principal, Westland Row CBS
• Prof Áine Hyland, former Professor of Education and Vice President (Academic), UCC
• Mr Seanie Lambe, Director, Inner City Renewal Group
• Ms Michele Ryan, Head, School of Community Studies, National College of Ireland

Further Information:

• View the presentation
• “Coffee cups, frogs, and lived experience” (background paper)
• More on Jane Addams and Hull House
• More on Paseo Boricua
• Integrative learning
• Camara