Update on Social Fabric Initiatives
In a time of great division, how do we learn to embrace and celebrate difference? How can we practice respectful disagreement? How do we discover how to get along with those whose beliefs vary greatly from our own?
In my experience, a lot of such learning can—and should—happen within postsecondary institutions. These skills are key to a successful democracy, sustainable communities, and an inclusive, resilient society.
As an academic institution, Carleton’s mission is to educate citizen scholars. We teach students how to understand diverse perspectives, engage in respectful discussion and debate, and navigate difference in a safe and supportive environment. We help them develop skills that prepare them to be engaged citizens, highly capable of pursuing meaningful social change. We instill in them—and in our faculty and staff—the value of using those talents for community betterment. And we provide a platform for them to foster cultural competencies and global perspectives that will help them relate positively to others wherever they go.
In doing so, we graduate students who can navigate the world with the understanding, empathy and nuance that it demands. We empower them to be ambassadors for, and contributors to, a strong and vibrant social fabric.
I began my term as Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at Carleton University last summer. During my time in this role, I have been fortunate to oversee a variety of initiatives that drive excellence and inclusivity in teaching and learning while also contributing to strengthening our social fabric. As we begin a new calendar year, I’m thrilled to share a snapshot of what’s underway and what’s on the horizon for 2024 and beyond.
Since its launch in 2020, Carleton’s FUSION (Future Skills Innovation Network) Program has been helping students develop and articulate to employers transferable, socially-oriented skills—like communication, collaboration, adaptability and inclusivity—that equip them to be successful and conscientious employees, leaders and citizens. In 2024, Carleton will expand the program by creating six additional training modules and introducing new partnerships with industry leaders IBM, Ericsson and Ross Video. These program improvements are thanks to a $2.8M grant from the Government of Canada.
At Carleton, we have a long history of combining education with community action to advance social causes. While community engagement has been an integral part of our DNA since our inception, we formalized this commitment in 2021 with the establishment of the Centre for Community Engagement on campus. In November 2023, we deepened our impact on our local community by joining the CityStudio Ottawa partnership, a collaboration between Carleton, the University of Ottawa, Algonquin College and the City of Ottawa that provides opportunities for students, faculty and staff to contribute directly to regional priorities.
Further, our physical presence and programming in the heart of downtown Ottawa through the Carleton Dominion-Chalmers Centre (CDCC) continues to enable a strong connection with community. This welcoming, inclusive space brings together diverse individuals and groups and offers a range of arts and cultural experiences that allow community members to appreciate and relate to one another in new ways. The CDCC is also home to classes and experiential learning opportunities for students from all disciplines on a range of subjects that are critical to anchoring our social fabric—from performance arts to journalism to politics.
Another key aspect of our efforts in this area is our commitment to honouring and respecting Indigenous peoples, communities and ways of knowing, seeking to understand anti-Indigenous histories in Canada, and practicing allyship. Importantly, we activate and transmit this institutional priority to students, faculty and staff through educational experiences like the Collaborative Indigenous Learning Bundles—which integrate Indigenous knowledge into classrooms—and the Kinàmàgawin Indigenous Learning Certificate for faculty and staff.
In fact, integrating the values of respect and tolerance for all individuals and cultures into our teaching is paramount as we educate the next generation of global citizens. To this end, we are piloting a new Human Rights training module that will be launched in fall 2024 for all first-year students.
Carleton’s study abroad and travel-based experiential learning opportunities also empower students to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of other cultures. Through these experiences, students build cross-cultural competencies that help them foster connections within international contexts as well as within their local communities.
Finally, we recognize that the vibrancy of our social fabric is closely linked to the active inclusion of diverse individuals from all over the world. As the global refugee crisis intensifies, Carleton has a responsibility to leverage our rich history and expertise in migration and diaspora studies to improve opportunities for newcomers in Canada.
I’m thrilled to share that in December 2023, Professor James Milner was appointed the Global Academic Interdisciplinary Network (GAIN) Co-Chair by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This position acknowledges Dr. Milner’s contributions to research and education in the context of forced displacement and will provide a platform for the development of a coordinated institutional strategy, innovative solutions and approaches, and increased collaboration with other academic institutions and practitioners across the globe.
We will be sharing more information about this critical priority over the coming months to build awareness and foster open dialogue within our community.
As a member of the Carleton community, you are a vital part of our mission to transform lives, drive change in society and weave a vibrant social fabric. Thank you for your continued support and connection to Carleton and to each other.
Sincerely,
L. Pauline Rankin
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)