National Chung Cheng University (CCU) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Socio-Eco-Nomic Development (CSEND), a United Nations–accredited international organization, on January 7, 2026. The signing ceremony, held at the CCU Administration Building, marked a significant milestone in the university’s advancement of University Social Responsibility (USR) and international sustainability collaboration.

The ceremony was presided over by CCU President Shaw-Jenq Tsai. CSEND was represented by its Chair, Professor Lichia Saner-Yiu, and Director of International Affairs, Professor Raymond Saner. As an international non-governmental organization with Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), CSEND had long been engaged in the UN Sustainable Development Agenda and international capacity-building programs.

President Shaw-Jenq Tsai stated that CCU had long placed USR at the core of its institutional development, integrating teaching, research, and social practice to cultivate action-oriented talent. He noted that the partnership with CSEND represented a vital opportunity to connect Taiwan’s local USR practices with global sustainability governance frameworks.

According to the MoU, the key collaborative initiative focused on the Geneva Programme on Global Leadership (GLP). Through this annual two-week summer program in Geneva, CCU and CSEND sought to jointly cultivate young leaders. The 2026 GLP, scheduled for August 14–27, included plans for visits to major international organizations such as the WTO, WHO, and ILO, enhancing students’ understanding of global public issues.

Beyond talent development, the MoU outlined mechanisms for faculty and research collaboration. CSEND aimed to facilitate institutional visits and exchanges for CCU’s USR teams and faculty in Geneva. The two parties also planned to develop joint research projects and co-organize international forums, thereby expanding the global visibility of USR knowledge and practice.

CCU emphasized that through this partnership, the university would continue to deepen its international USR connections. By leveraging CSEND’s experience within the UN system, CCU aimed to promote multi-level exchanges, demonstrating the university’s concrete actions in fulfilling its social responsibility.