Social leadership of the university in implementing social inclusion and community cohesion

This article examines the concept of "social leadership" ("educational and social leadership"), its role and significance in the implementation of the "third mission" of universities within the system of ensuring social inclusion and social cohesion. The main directions of social leadership within the territorial location ("on-site") are highlighted. It is substantiated that the social (socio-educational) leadership of the University (HEI) corresponds to the theory of transformational leadership and aims to achieve multimodal goals: moral modelling, vision, charisma, and individualized consideration (Moral Modelling, Visionary, Charisma, and Individualized Consideration). The importance of the socio-humanitarian and educational components for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine is revealed: "...access to education and learning opportunities are crucial for the recovery of children, families, communities, and post-war development." It is noted that, according to UN documents, social development, social inclusion, the role of education, cooperation, and local (territorial and sectoral/industrial) communities are extremely important for addressing global challenges in today’s crisis conditions, which is also relevant for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction. The role of social leadership is defined as a form of social-organizational influence on individuals and communities (groups and collectives) based on social and humanitarian values, aimed at achieving common goals with an emphasis on the well-being and development of communities grounded in cooperation and interdependence. It is shown that the implementation of social leadership requires dynamic contextual interaction among social actors, as well as their active civic stance toward social progress, human development, strengthening social cohesion, and promoting common well-being. The role of educational and social leadership as a factor in the collective effectiveness of social inclusion initiatives at the local community level is emphasized.