Back in 2016, the Welsh government’s education minister Kirsty Williams challenged universities in Wales to “re-capture and re-invent civic mission so that it is realised and relevant for our contemporary challenges.”
Her speech reflected on the distance between campus and community exposed by the referendum that ultimately led to Brexit. With her challenge accepted, Welsh universities re-grouped and, along with investment for civic mission activities from Welsh government, Universities Wales established a network to share best practice and to consider a more joined up approach. The Civic Mission Network developed a Civic Mission Framework to help universities to work with people, schools and communities. The framework enables universities to share best practice in developing and delivering civic mission projects and supports the sector in demonstrating the positive impact of its civic mission work.
The Civic Mission Framework relates to Wales’ Wellbeing of Future Generations Act 2015 and is set around five key areas of action:
- Leading place – engaging with other key civic leaders at a national and community level
- Contributing to raising educational standards by developing links with schools, colleges and other learning environments
- Developing active citizenship
- Acting as the engine of social enterprise, business skills and employability
- Responding to global issues
