Given the fact of a world under conditions of ongoing and even deepening inequalities, risks, natural, social and political disasters, knowledge in the sense of  enlightenment has not lost its relevance. In fact, it becomes more and more important to support democratization and integrated development. “Knowledge Societies” will need knowledge integrating as well systemic and ethical dimensions. How can this quality of - towards the collective, the future and the solution oriented – knowledge be fostered and developed further? How can different actors in our societies build common futures together and search for solutions in complex, conflictive and complicated contexts? The UN University, the UNU Partnership Initiative as well the UN initiative “Academic Impact” can be seen as steps towards the potential to create networks and systems of search and innovation.  Partnerships with universities, society and business can support developing models for integrated collective learning and leadership.