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Ways of Knowing - Community Challenge
Description/achievement of initiative

In the course Ways of Knowing - Capabilities Approach, students pitch to organizations (some local, some global) on ways they can commit to the Sustainability Development Goals. In the process, students learn about the SDGs, the UNGlobal Compact and the Human Development and Capabilities Approach. The goal is to further educate organizations in North America about the SDGs and to give university students from across campus a voice in their vision for the future. Last year students pitched their proposals to BlackBerry and a Canadian Member of Parliament. Two of the 18 proposals have received substantial investment from BlackBerry.

Implementation methodologies

Undergraduate students are able to register for the course - Ways of Knowing - Capabilities Approach. Upon registration, students are given introductory information regarding the SDGs, the Human Development and Capabilities Approach, and the UNGlobal Compact. Students are taught to work in groups to pitch proposals to community partners. Two events are held each semester the course is offered.

Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer

Coordination mechanisms/governance structure

This initiative has been coordinated via the course instructor and the course learning outcomes have been approved by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Coordinating Council. One to two times per year, the course instructor finds two community partners willing to hear proposals from undergraduate students in the course. The community partner is able to launch the proposals given by the students. For more information about the course, please see: https://www.uwindsor.ca/fahss/1139/ways-knowing-gartsosc-2100

Partner(s)

University of Windsor - Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and community partners
Progress reports
Goal 1
Goal 4
4.7 - By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
December, 2020
Community Partners hear proposals for committing to the SDGs
February, 2020
Community Partners commit to one of the proposals made in the course
October, 2020
Students in Ways of Knowing at the University of Windsor learn about the SDGs, UNGlobal Compact, and the Human Development and Capabilities Approach
Other, please specify
This is dependent on the community partner's commitment to the proposed projects.
In-kind contribution
University of Windsor Course resources centred about teaching the SDGs

Basic information
Time-frame: September, 2020 - December, 2020
Website
Partners
University of Windsor - Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and community partners
Countries
Contact information
Tim Brunet, Sessional Instructor and Social Media Coordinator, tbrunet@uwindsor.ca
United Nations