Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly 77 (UNGA77)

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How can higher education institutions deepen their connections with their communities to not only elevate knowledge and understanding but to actually impact the lives of those communities, not at the expense of the pursuit of excellence or the sacrifice of standards, but by exhibiting the agility required to remain relevant in an age of great uncertainty, volatility, and adversity?
In What Universities owe Democracy, Ron Daniels, the President of Johns Hopkins, argues that, at a moment when liberal democracy is endangered, challenged as it is by the more efficient oligarchies. It is critical for universities to reestablish their place in safeguarding democracy. Overcoming fear of the other, disseminating knowledge, and finding common ground for Universal values are all vital roles of the University, as much as discovering and helping apply new knowledge. And yet, in all contexts, we need to conceptualize the civic components of the university (and of university education) in relation to questions around political responsibilities and contexts.
"Society is on a blind date with Science, and the date is going badly." Alan Alda, who has devoted his energy to improving science communication, spoke these words over a decade ago at a scientific conference. By all measures, the "date" has turned into an all-out war, fueled by the erosion of the social contract between universities and society and the seemingly infinite set of outlets aimed at spreading misinformation about science and academia. The average person is practically overwhelmed, and the community at large is at a loss as to how to close this gap.
This conversation explores how universities can negotiate the complexities of seeking to direct the extraordinary knowledge resources they hold towards the public good while maintaining commitments to academic excellence. These tensions are a significant part of a modern university, and they do not always sit in easy equilibrium when there are other issues of public concern about cost, access, research mission, etc.