On 5 May 2026, University World News published an article discussing the role of higher education as a bridge between governments and communities.
The article features comments by Jonghwi Park (Academic Programme Officer, UNU-IAS) highlighting the critical role of higher education in achieving sustainable development and encouraging the exchange of ideas and knowledge across borders in the sector as well as increased participation from the Asia-Pacific region.
The article also explores the work of the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) promoting collaboration between universities, governments, civil society and UN organizations.
"Higher education is quite independent from government, but we can see also how it can be a bridge in the middle between what is happening on the ground and how governments should drive sustainable development. It has a mediator role,” says Jonghwi Park, co-chair of the UN Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), an open partnership between several United Nations entities and the higher education community.
The full article is available on the University World News website.
