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Learn about the Community University Research Alliance (CURA) model connecting research and action to promote sustainability in Toronto. Major objectives include engaging all sectors, enhancing education, and aiding decision-makers. Join us to build a network for sustainable governance.
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SUSTAINABLETORONTO “Promoting Community Sustainability: Linking Research and Action” presented by: Dr. Beth Savan, Director, Environmental Studies Program, Innis College, University of Toronto and Dr. Lewis Molot, Associate Dean and Graduate Program Director, Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University
a Community University Research Alliance(CURA) Supported by: Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada
What is a CURA? • based on the European “Science Shops” model • Primary goals for all CURA projects: • formally recognize role of community groups in undertaking research • recognize value of action-oriented research • encourage university outreach to the community • form partnerships for research and action
What is Sustainability? • Brundtland definition • Five broad requirements: • Integration of conservation and development • Satisfaction of basic human needs • Achievement of equity and social justice • Provision for social self-determination and cultural diversity • Maintenance of ecological integrity
SUSTAINABLE TORONTO Major Objectives • Engage all sectors • Increase collaboration • Build capacity • Enhance education • Aid informed decision-makers • Develop a network
Our Founding Partners • Environmental Studies Program, University of Toronto • York Centre for Applied Sustainability, York University • City of Toronto • Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy • Toronto Environmental Alliance • Health Promotion and Environmental Protection Office - Toronto Public Health • Learning for a Sustainable Future • FoodShare • Citizens’ Environment Watch • Map Reflections • Sustainability Network
The Projects ... • Seeds of Our City • Monitoring for Sustainability • Community Right to Know • Promoting Awareness of the Links between Health and Environment • Professional Development for Sustainable Learning • Building Management Capacity in the ENGO Sector • Understanding Shifts in Canadian Environmental Governance • Building Effective Leadership • Tool Kit for Sustainable Governance • Understanding and Facilitating Community-Based Research in Canada
Our Model • Research and action projects designed • Graduate and undergraduate students from York University and U of T hired • Academic Advisor from host university will assist research • Community group provides real-world application • Collaboration encouraged to help forge new alliances • Communications and outreach • New partners for future collaborations
What the Academic Community Brings to the Community Groups • New contacts • New funding and publishing opportunities • New openness • New skills and rigour • Student resources
What the Community Groups Bring to the Academic Community • A sense of place • Interesting research agenda • New skills • communication • Concrete environmental results • Opportunities for faculty and students to work in communities
Early Outcomes • new course and curriculum innovations • field work in community water monitoring for high school students links with GIS-based tool • redesigned website for Toronto Public Health pulls together and analyses all existing publications • directory of ethno-cultural organizations and the environment published • CIELAP’s Community Right to Know study
Contact Information Barbara Schaefer barbara.schaefer@utoronto.ca Project Coordinator 416 978 0169 tel Sustainable Toronto 416 971 2078 fax Beth Savan b.savan@utoronto.ca Director 416 978 7458 tel Environ’l Studies Program 416 971 2078 fax Innis College, U of T www.sustainabletoronto.ca