CIRODD SUMMER SCHOOL ON SOCIETAL TRANSFORMATION

Overview

About the Summer School

The Summer School on Societal Transformation is an intensive, experiential, inter-university, accredited graduate training that aims to develop five key competencies in sustainability put forward as a reference framework for academic program development.

The communication of this framework with that of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals allows for a systemic vision of sustainable development, while offering the opportunity to localize the issues through real-life case studies.

Collaborating on immersive high-impact learning experiences

The course brings together students from diverse backgrounds to tackle complex urban challenges and collaborate with diverse stakeholders on urban development. The program is an immersive, team learning environment combining interdisciplinary skills with the complexity of collaborating within a group setting.

The course equips participants for building stock and urban systems change in cities and deals with zero carbon and livability strategies including buildings, transport, public spaces, waste and other urban infrastructure management.

The course thus provides an array of high-impact learning experiences that mix faculty, students, municipal employees, non-profit staff, community group leaders and other involved citizens.

Benefitting from partnerships

The course will benefit and has been developed jointly in a strategic partnership between Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en opérationnalisation du développement durable (CIRODD) at ÉTS, Concordia University, EDS Institute at Laval University, Acadia University, Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Canada, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Université de Montréal and the Maison de l’Innovation sociale (MIS) in Montréal.

This partnership will help enhance the reach and impact in Quebec and Canada and strengthen opportunities for international collaboration and impact.

Eligibility criteria

• Students must be at the graduate level;
• Have a good understanding of sustainable development (field of study, research or employment) and the sustainable development goals;
• Experience in collaborative work and/or a strong desire to develop reflective and collaborative practices;
• Be able to work and communicate in one of Canada's two official languages (English and French);
• Be available to participate in activities, according to the Quebec time zone (EST);
• Have access to a computer (or tablet) and a stable high-speed internet connection.

Advantages

For students: the possibility of obtaining accreditation for graduate courses from Concordia University.

For professionnal participants: this training meets the requirements of the “1% Act” for employee skills development (Skills Act) to which employers with a payroll exceeding $2 million are subject.

Costs

Eligible student participants: amount equivalent to the tuition fees of their institution.

Professional participants from:

• Municipalities: $1,295
• Non-profit organizations: $995