Compassion and a strong moral compass is essential to every democratic society.
Compassion and a strong moral compass are essential to a democratic society. SDG 16 promotes commitments to peace, global justice, and strong and inclusive institutions. EUC researchers are dedicated to building more inclusive and peaceful societies for sustainable development in Canada and around the world through their anti-violence and environmental injustice work.
Achieving Indigenous environmental justice
Indigenous peoples continue to face injustices in Canada. Deborah McGregor’s collaborative project Indigenous People and Environmental (In)Justice is addressing key environmental issues of concern to Indigenous peoples in Canada. The project offers support to communities currently fighting environmental injustice, provides resources to teachers and schools interested in educating students about environmental justice, and creates a place for inclusive dialogue on how to move toward universal wellbeing.
Oral history, food justice and music making
In Jane and Finch, lack of access to affordable, fresh, and nutritious foods has long been identified as a systemic justice issue. Approximately 28.9 percent of Black households in Canada have precarious access to healthy food. This Oral history, food justice and music making project shares the creative labour of unsung community members who are addressing this issue in through diverse practices. These include urban farming, the distribution, preparation and consumption of food and the sharing of intergenerational ideas about food justice.
Climate Justice and Participatory Research
Patricia Perkins has edited a new book titled Climate justice and participatory research: Building climate-resilient commons (University of Calgary Press, 2023). The book offers ideas and inspiration for climate justice action by describing the work of activist scholars in the Majority World whose research is contributing to livelihood commons and community-based climate resilience. It brings together articulations of the “what, why, and how” of climate justice through the voices of energetic and motivated scholar-activists who are building alliances with community-based organizations across Latin America, Africa, and Canada.
Institutions, conflict, and water
Inclusive and just institutions can transform local and international experiences. Carlota McAllister’s recent research examines what happens when institutions lack transparency and interest in the common good. Her case study consists of a dam conflict between energy corporations and conservationists in the remote Aysén region of Chilean Patagonia. This research shows how private property can affect collective responses and informs the building of more accountable and participatory institutions.
Investigating unequal geographies of land, resources, and infrastructure
Patricia Wood has dedicated her research career to building more inclusive and peaceful societies for sustainable development in Canada and around the world through good governance, peace and justice-based initiatives. She is particularly interested in the experiences of marginalized groups whose way of life brings them into conflict either with their neighbouring communities or the state. In particular, her work investigating Indigenous-settler legal relationships with the land demonstrates the necessity to confront history to shape better futures.
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