GOAL 4: EXTERNAL AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Expand SFU’s local, regional and international impact in climate and sustainability using conduits, assets and platforms we already have, to deepen existing partnerships and avenues for this work. This will include the municipalities and host nations SFU has campuses in as well as new strategic partnerships.
ACCOUNTABLE VICE-PRESIDENT PORTFOLIO
External Relations
"Community engagement is a part of our DNA at SFU. We are committed to supporting the development of sustainable, low-carbon, climate resilient communities close to home and around the world through partnerships and dialogue; through our educational programs; and our many outreach activities. We continue to increase our local, national and international impact and learn from others as we strive to build a resilient and sustainable future."
— Joanne Curry
Vice-President, External Relations
Actions
Below are the actions that the VPER portfolio has taken to support Goal 4: External and Community Engagement. The progress made is included under each action.
UTILIZE EXISTING EXTERNAL AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT UNITS SUCH AS THE SFU MORRIS J. WOSK CENTRE FOR DIALOGUE, SFU PUBLIC SQUARE, RENEWABLE CITIES, MOVING IN A LIVABLE REGION AND VANCITY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (E.G., TO INCREASE PRESENCE AND IMPACT OF PARTICIPATION IN COP 27).
- The SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue actively pursues projects—as well as maintains ongoing programming—with the aim to create space for meaningful discussion. The centre's dialogue programming spans many topics and thematic areas, but the centre consistently returns to a few that carry a particular urgency. Two program themes that support Goal 4 include:
- Moving in a Livable Region is a growing consortium that aims to build a more resilient, equitable, economically strong and healthy region. It was convened by the Centre for Dialogue. Learn more.
- SFU Renewable Cities is accelerating the transition to renewable, restorative, resilient cities. Renewable Cities is proud to be a special initiative of the Centre for Dialogue at SFU. Learn more about the current projects.
- The Centre for Dialogue organized two events at COP 27 focused on cities and multi-level action. Learn more about COP 27.
- For the first time, SFU sent a formal delegation of SFU community members to COP 27. The purpose of SFU's COP 27 delegation was to share our work, connect with other global organizations, document the conference and how climate negotiations take place, share with the SFU community what we see and learn, connect SFU student climate leaders with the youth delegation, speak at sessions and showcase SFU's climate action leadership. Read story.
- SFU invites students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members engaged in climate action to apply to join SFU’s COP 28 delegation. The 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 28) summit will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from November 30 – December 12, 2023.
- The VPER portfolio was involved with a partnership between SFU and the City of Burnaby to launch the Civic Innovation Lab. The initiative is a project that spans at least two VP portfolios at SFU (the VP research and international portfolio was also involved, and this work is listed as well in Goal 2: Research). SFU will share its leading-edge research and strengths in innovation and sustainability to advance practical solutions for the city’s most pressing urban issues, from diversity and housing to sustainable growth and environmental challenges caused by climate change.
- Learn more about SFU Public Square’s upcoming and past climate and environment events.
- SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement supports creative engagement, knowledge democracy and access to arts and culture through public programming, community partnerships and community-engaged research. They deliver content that relates to the office’s key programming themes: 1) arts, culture and community 2) social and environmental justice and 3) urban issues. The Office has a “Below the Radar” podcast. They launched “The Climate Imaginary” series. Listen to the series.
- Envision Financial Community Leaders Igniting Change is a grass-roots program that helps local community members build upon their leadership skills and confidence as changemakers. This program teaches participants how to navigate complicated challenges they are facing in their organizations, communities, and/or personal lives. Learn more.
- The SFU Surrey - TD Community Engagement Centre collaborates with people and organizations in Surrey to co-create programming, share resources and take action on key challenges. The centre’s initiatives focus on education, mentorship, connection and skill development, primarily reaching children, youth and newcomers to Canada. Learn more.
INTEGRATE APPLICABLE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION (TRC) AND ABORIGINAL RECONCILIATION COUNCIL (ARC) CALLS TO ACTION INTO CLIMATE ACTION, RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY ACTIVITIES AT SFU.
- To support the academic, research and community engagement needs and interests of Surrey’s Indigenous Peoples, SFU and the Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee (SUILC) signed a Collaborative Relationship Agreement in 2019. SUILC has engaged the Surrey campus in a variety of initiatives, including commemorating Orange Shirt Day. SFU has also contributed funding for Skookum Lab, a SUILC social innovation project that addresses and combats root causes of Indigenous child and youth poverty in Surrey and develops community-based solutions. Learn more.
- Action plans are currently in development. More will be shared as the plans become available.
DELIVER THE TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION (THE) CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES (PARTNERSHIPS).
- SFU was honoured to be the host university for the 2022 THE University Impact Forum: Sustainable Cities, a Times Higher Education (THE) virtual event on Thursday, September 15, 2022. The forum brought together an interdisciplinary delegation of sustainability practitioners, researchers and elected officials to explore opportunities to develop more Sustainable Cities and Communities—goal 11 of the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over 600 organizations from around the world were represented at the forum. Read story.
