Site sessions

map of site sessions

On Thursday afternoon, you can choose from a variety of skill-building workshops, creative presentations, and site sessions.

two consecutive sessions:
2:00pm - 3:30pm
4:00pm - 5:30pm

Site sessions are your opportunity to learn about community-university partnerships in the context of local CU partnerships. These sessions will be engaging, interactive, and will draw on the experience of local people who will share with you. You’ll have a chance to share your own experiences and learn from other delegates as well. Note: Site session locations are located on the site map.

session one: 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Creative presentation

Knowledge mobilization through theatre: cutting to the heart of research
     Conrad Centre, 36 King Stret, W., Kitchener  |  Joanna Ochocka, Rich Janzen

Skill building workshops

Going beyond inclusion: the advantages and challenges of community-led community-university research alliances

    Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Social Work, Rm 209, Kitchener  | Deborah Stienstra

Innovative approaches in mixed methods

    Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Social Work, Rm 210, Kitchener
    Linda Highfield, Jenita Parekh, Molly Ford, Philomene Balihe, Desiree Johnson, Jane Peranteau, Patricia Gail Bray

Site sessions

The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI): What in the world are we thinking about?

    57 Erb St W, Seagram Room, Waterloo  |  Centre for International Governance and Innovation (CIGI)

From climate change to security threats and financial crises, the world is facing challenges that are largely unaddressed due to inadequate international efforts. Global think tanks can help break through the inertia, bridging the gap between technical knowledge and power. CIGI is an independent, nonpartisan think tank on international governance, led by experienced practitioners and distinguished academics. CIGI believes that better international governance can improve the lives of people everywhere, by increasing prosperity, ensuring global sustainability, addressing inequality and safeguarding human rights, and promoting a more secure world.

This site visit will describe CIGI’s research streams and how it strives to fulfill its mission. It will also address one of CIGI’s major projects: the Africa Initiative—a multi-year, joint-programme with Makerere University in Uganda, and the South African Institute for International Affairs, that aims to contribute to the deepening of Africa’s capacity and knowledge. The final aspect of our site visit will feature presentations from students who recently participated in a grant project between CIGI and the Institute for New Economic Thinking, which saw them attend a major conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, on new economic thinking.

Child development

     Location tba  |  Alliance for Children and Youth  |  Max. 60 people

The Alliance for Children and Youth is a 38-member organization, working to improve well-being for children, youth, and their families. A number of alliance members will present an overview of the collaborative, and an open space facilitated discussion will dig into the value-added of working in a collaborative model.

Health and wellness

     99 Regina St, Waterloo  |  Region of Waterloo  |  Maximum 60 People

Session details tba.

Income security and affordable housing

     63 Charles St East, Kitchener  |  House of Friendship and The Working Centre  |  Max. 40 people

House of Friendship and The Working Centre will host a walking tour of downtown organizations that address issues of income security and affordable housing. If needed, a rain day back-up plan will be announced at the Charles Street venue where the 1.5 km walk begins (20 delegates maximum). 

Justice

     Location tba  |  Crime Prevention Council

Session details tba. 

Social entrepreneurs: Capacity Waterloo Region

     The Tannery - 151 Charles St W, Kitchener  |  Capacity Waterloo Region  | Max. 30 people

Capacity Waterloo Region will lead a session on social entrepreneurism, including information sharing from Social Venture Partners, Communitech, and the Accelerator Centre. Explore how the non-profit, business, and university sectors work together to strengthen our community.

break: 3:30pm - 4:00pm

session two: 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Skill building workshops

Building a holistic bridge training programme for newcomers through unique partnerships

    Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Social Work, Room 201, Kitchener
    Sarah Marsh, Maria de Boer, Ellen Sue Mesbur, Lutfiye Tutak, Christa Van Daele, Lisa Jarvis, Dori Ferr

Inclusion research: by and for women who experience marginalization

    Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Social Work, Room 210, Kitchener  |  Christina Lessels, Julie Maher

Moving past icebreakers: team building activities to foster communication, collaboration, and understanding

    Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Social Work, Room 209  |  Uchenna John Ndulue, Flavia Perea, Linda Martinez

Science shops: advanced—reflection on challenges of changing environments

    CIGI, Seagram Room - 57 Erb St W, Waterloo  |  Ils De Bal, Norbert Steinhaus, Henk Mulder

Small is beautiful: collaborations between small non-profits and universities

    Conrad Centre, 36 King Street West, Kitchener  |  Anne Ramsay

Site sessions

Canadian Mental Health Association and Waterloo Region Self Help

     67 King St East, Kitchener  |  Canadian Mental Health Association and Waterloo Region Self Help

In this site session, two community partners, the Grand River Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association and Waterloo Region Self Help (WRSH), and one university partner, the Community Psychology program of Wilfrid Laurier University, describe two partnership projects. The first involved a study with all three partners examining a paradigm shift in mental health that occurred in Waterloo Region. The second was a partnership involving a longitudinal evaluation of consumer/ survivor initiatives, including WRSH.

Centre for Community-Based Research

     73 King St W, Suite 300, Kitchener  |  Centre for Community Based Research

CCBR is a leader in using community-based research to inspire social change. This session will begin with an overview of the organization’s mission, history, structure, demonstrating how it is linked to a vision of using research as a catalyst for social change. Participants will explore the three building blocks of social innovation used in CCBR: knowledge production (gathering and analyzing information that better informs people working for social change); knowledge mobilization (creatively communicating research findings in ways that speak to people); and community mobilization (using research to build relationships among people who, in turn, use the knowledge they jointly produce to guide their collective social action).