Social participation and student solidarity in the University: The teachers' point of view

Abstract

The United Nations Framework promotes policies to involve the university in social reality through social and solidarity initiatives for social transformation. The university space has taken on a leading role as the axis of collective university action in the community and its relevant role in education, health, the environment and the socio-economic reality. The purpose of this study is to analyse the opinion of the teaching staff on student participation in the social field through practices that give meaning to integration, cooperation and its repercussion on the environment, as well as in the field of solidarity that assumes a welfare practice in the face of adverse situations. The professional projection of students towards social innovation is also explored. To this end, a qualitative study is carried out in which twenty-five interviews are conducted with teachers from the Faculties of Health Sciences and Education Sciences of the University of Seville. The results point to a clear trend among Health Science students to collaborate in activities related to solidarity, while those belonging to Education Sciences are more likely to participate in social action initiatives. The conclusion is that university management requires greater social commitment and solidarity with the community, as well as promoting a culture of participation and extending training for the development of skills in line with sustainability, entrepreneurship, autonomy and professional initiative.