SOUTH-SOUTH HIGHER EDUCATION REFORM NETWORK (SSHERN)

Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro's paper on the challenges faced by Higher Education in Indonesia

We are a group of individuals with an interest in and commitment to the improvement of the systems of higher education in developing countries, asa means of enabling these countries to consolidate democratic governance, empower hitherto marginalized groups, promote equity and social cohesion, and contribute to economic growth.

We believe that a central component of the strategy to promote such change is to create, nurture, and strengthen communities of change at institutional, national, and global levels. Many of us are involved in a variety of networks of this type at national and/or institutional levels. We believe that the time has come to bring together a community of change at a global level as well.

Accordingly, we agree today to join together in founding the South-South Higher Education Reform Network (SSHERN). We will jointly draft a vision statement and principles of operation for the network in order to invite a broad spectrum of stakeholders from around the world to join the network.

The objectives of the network are to facilitate mutual learning about processes of change in the systems of higher education in developing countries, promote research, and function as a cradle of social entrepreneurship and a touchstone of ideas. A related objective is to cultivate shared norms of behavior and standards of conduct for institutions of higher education, scholars and teachers, policy makers and financial donors. Finally, the network will organize conferences, workshops, and symposia.

We are mindful of other initiatives being taken up at regional and international levels, especially by UNESCO, and expect a close cooperation between the SSHERN and these initiatives.