Internationalization or globalization of higher education is a key element in economic and political development. Globalization as an economically driven phenomenon does not yet have the signature of a mature, completely developed process. This provides an opportunity in which Higher Education’s voice can make itself noticed and heard.
International Higher Education Associations representing groups of individual universities or higher education systems are providing useful forums, for example, in discussing issues including access to ‘higher education for all’ that can benefit from it. In the present environment it is therefore important to evaluate the role of Higher Education Associations, consortia, and networks in creating a higher education environment that is promoting simultaneously economic development and cultural respect, national or otherwise, while advancing knowledge as a common good.
There is enormous diversity in voluntary national, regional, and global Higher Education Associations, yet, as an assessment shows, there are certain basic conditions and roles that these organization will have to fulfill least they want to be marginal and ineffective representatives of their constituents. Examples of voluntary broad-based national and international Higher Education Associations are e.g. national rectors’ conferences in many parts of the world, the national American Council on Education (ACE), the regional European University Association (EUA) and the global International Association of Universities (IAU).
Among the major roles of Higher Education Associations are (1) service to their membership, (2) leadership and coordination in taking influence on processes that affect their constituents through policy advice and advocacy, and (3) communication with decision makers and the public. The voluntary nature of Higher Education Associations puts the burden of engagement on all members but the role of coordination and leadership firmly in to the hands of the organization’s executive office. A representative membership and good membership-leadership interaction and engagement are the basis of strength in establishing fruitful cooperation, and a strong presence of Higher Education Associations in policy and advocacy in their region and beyond.
The paper will address functions and activities of Higher Education Associations including governance, policy and advocacy activities, topical conferences or workshops, research and publications that will focus on issues addressed under the auspices of their missions and strategic plans. It will present examples of practice of international Higher Education Associations in developing collaboration and strategy advice on internationalization of higher education in between members and in general, and effective advocacy in the processes of ‘globalization’ to the benefit of students and society.