NORDIK Institute, Algoma University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, are proud to co-host the 8th Community-College-University (C2U) Exposition, a biannual gathering of Community Based Research Canada, from May 12th to 14th, 2020 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. C2UExpo 2020: Culture, Place and Resilience, is a Canadian-led international learning exchange designed to address critical local and global issues. This three-day gathering will bring together about 400 scholars, practitioners, and community members from across Canada and internationally, whose work prioritizes collaborations between academics and communities.
The theme, Culture, Place and Resilience, is rooted in the four pillars of Community Resilience: cultural vitality, social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic diversity. C2UExpo 2020 will showcase innovative models, findings, and best practices of community-campus research initiatives that explore the ways in which culture is valued and embedded in the economic, social and environmental structures of sustainable development and resilient communities. Experiential activities using theatre, video and storytelling as well as more traditional presentations, combined with guided tours to community organizations engaged in transformative practice, shall make complex concepts easily accessibly to a diverse audience, and encourage participants to readily engage in dialogue and discussions. Additionally, this theme will reflect the creative elements of relationship-building among individuals, communities, organizations and cultures. That is, academics from a wide range of social sciences and humanities will contribute to and learn together about the multi-faceted aspects of collaborations and partnership with community members, practitioners, and decision-makers.
Further, C2UExpo 2020 will stimulate action and build community development momentum by serving as a training ground for community-based researchers. Following the lead of the 2017 Expo, the 2020 C2UExpo will engage a group drawn from marginalized communities in playing key roles in conference organizing and facilitation. Drawing on leading edge practices in community development, Indigenous teachings, and action research models, the co-hosts shall use the event to strengthen, enhance and create networks between and amongst communities, researchers, academics, funders and policy makers.
For updates on conference activities, please visit the website at www.C2UExpo2020.ca or contact us at C2UExpo2020@algomau.ca . And watch for our Call for Proposals on October 15th, 2019.