ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the focus is on university and community relationships. As institutions within a community, universities are key players whether it be at a global, macro, meso or micro domain level. Trust is a central issue within this discussion, and through a study of literature, theory and specific and current examples of community-university relationships, we propose a new approach to community engagement which we term ‘The Mutual Affinity Paradigm’ of community engagement where ‘Emanant Trust’, or that which flows from the relationship, is a key element. In a Mutual Affinity Paradigm of university-community engagement, the university in not simply regarded as in the community but is of or part of the community and vice versa.
