Campus-Community Engagement: The Case of an Urban Agriculture Initiative at AUB

Abstract

Urban Universities’ missions and actions are reflecting on their role in contributing to potential solutions to local and regional socio-economic problems through their civic engagement missions. However, urban universities are often seen as if they are “in” the community and not “of” the community. It has been proven that Urban Agriculture (UA) is a tool and a community engagement approach that urban universities have adopted in the aim of enhancing sustainability in the city and supporting educational missions across university campuses as a mutually beneficial initiative that contribute to campus-community engagement. AUB through its historic civic missions, has long been contributing to local communities, especially its neighborhood, the neighborhood of Ras Beirut. Yet, AUB still falls in the dilemma of bridging the gap between the service activities it provides and the reality on the ground. This study aims at investigating the different elements and stakeholders that are challenging the principles for enhancing and sustaining campus-community relationships of AUB and Ras Beirut and explore the concept of UA as a platform to support sustainability, and ensure reciprocity of campus-community relationship through civic engagement and service learning. The results expected will propose ideas and a set of recommendations to maintain relationship between campus and neighboring community through putting hands on and promoting a sustainable food system.