I often view ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University as being an island. Contained within the school borders is a city within a city, complete with its own political organization, economy, and culture. Given that it is surrounded by rivers and is slightly removed from Ottawa’s core, ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University also physically embodies this segregated and slightly removed form of social organization.

As its own sort of quasi-city with a student population of , ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University offers a multitude of different campus services to create an ecosystem where all can study, work and live in a safe environment.  No different from any other university, it blends educational services with health and wellness services to meet its population’s needs. ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University also creates and implements policies and mandates meant to help “govern” the work that takes place on its campus. This governance includes a commitment to upholding basic rights such as non-discrimination or universality for all individuals on its campus.

As a ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University student myself, and specifically a social work student working in human rights, this idea of ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ as a “city” recently got me thinking: In what ways does ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University uphold its “citizens’” basic human rights? When someone has a concern, complaint, or simply requires support outside of their academic studies, where do they go?

The answer I found: Equity Services.

What is Equity Services and how do they operate?

After ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´â€™s review of their human rights policies and procedures in 2001, the University’s Senate and Board of Governors provided the means to create Equity Services with the goal of creating a university space that truly is for everyone. To achieve this goal, Equity Services operates within a human rights framework, and includes as part of its mandate the pursuit of knowledge, personal and intellectual growth, and a campus free from discrimination, injustice, and violence. They are a frontrunner for establishing research, training and programming that is rooted in social justice and human rights.

Working under a human rights framework means that individuals have definite rights that must be upheld simply because they are human. A  protects civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, which are rights like . Included in protecting these rights is the ability for individuals to report human rights infringements and violations.

According to Bailey Reid, an Equity Advisor with Equity Services, there are three core components to their work at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´: maintaining the Centre for Indigenous Initiatives, providing confidential human rights advice and assistance, and delivering sexual assault support services and prevention initiatives. Through these three areas, Equity Services offers a reporting mechanism to help individuals address human rights violations on campus. They team up with partners on and off campus to host trainings and workshops, such as welcoming Emma Sulkowicz, a sexual assault awareness activist from Columbia University, or promoting the Ontario Human Rights Commission on-line training to all individuals, students and especially staff, in the ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ community. And they work to specifically promote Indigenous outreach, retention and culture by offering training sessions, workshops, guest lectures, and experiential learning opportunities through the Centre for Indigenous Initiatives.

Equity Services is also involved in helping to develop policies and practices at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ University to build the most inclusive and equitable campus possible. As Reid explains, “The Centre works to advocate for changes within ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´â€™s policies and procedures to better support the diverse population at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´. Ongoing training and education to students, staff and faculty on human rights and equity issues as well as responding to specific requests and corrective measures are taken following a complaint.” Some examples of this advocacy work include the establishment and maintenance of the University’s employment equity program; an all-inclusive washroom initiative; and the development of an inclusive and accessible event planning checklist for anyone organizing an event on campus.

How does Equity Services best ensure an equitable campus?

One of the ways Equity Services successfully champions an equitable campus is by partnering with other offices, departments, and services on campus to collaboratively build a safe, inclusive campus environment. Their partnership with Safety Services is a good example of how Equity Services works with others to promote a human rights framework and safeguard student and faculty success.

According to Special Constable Nick Saucier, “Campus Safety Services has an excellent working relationship with Equity Services. Our services and mandates sincerely complement one another and the work that we both do.” Saucier also notes that campus safety officers and staff receive training from Equity Services on how to best support individuals, including how to explain legal and social rights to clients.

The partnership between these two campus hubs allow for a wealth of programming and services to be delivered, as well as the development of unique educational materials that help promote a safe and cohesive environment. Whether it is sexual assault educational programming, or explaining the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to clients, Saucier notes that both organizations approach it from a human rights framework.

By working with partners like Safety Services to deliver programming, Equity Services creates a space where multiple campus organizations can share their knowledge and expertise to create more equity for all.

Why is having a department like Equity Services important for a University Campus?

The push for more human rights centered programming is not a new phenomenon. However, in recent years it has become a focal point for universities to ensure equitable services are available and are anti-oppressive in nature. Campuses function best when everyone is working together to build a stronger and more unified approach to addressing concerns and interpersonal problems. Just like cities, a campus can offer services and produce research that includes diverse voices ONLY if they have an outlet to find those voices. And of course, research and services gathered and offered through a human rights based lens result in more inclusive programming that is representative of the intended populations being served.

Having a hub like Equity Services that makes this inclusive approach to research and service provision even more accessible is a huge benefit to the thousands who utilize ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´â€™s services every day. In my opinion, the more human rights frameworks applied to services, the better the outcomes we see when individuals have to make the hard decisions to ask for accommodations or file a complaint. Human rights based services help get students and faculty back to their lives through support, accommodation and increased training.

What does an article on Equity Services have to do with community-campus engagement?

For researchers hoping to make the world a better place through their community-campus engagement work, Equity Services can be a good place to start to ensure one’s research and partnership practices are equitable for all involved. Equity Services is already experienced at partnering with both on-campus and off-campus partners, and they can enhance your partnership work by providing customized training on topics such as inclusive workplaces, resources on human rights policies and accessibility, and advice for addressing any equity-related issues that may arise during your research work. Equity Services at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ also actively participates in campus-based events, such as ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´’s Sexual Assault Awareness Week, that can be directly relevant to a researcher or community partner’s work.

As ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ continues to live and breathe like a small-scale city, services that champion human rights frameworks and safety should be congratulated. The main purpose of every university is the pursuit of academic excellence, and I can confidently say these organizations help make that possible.

“But why human rights?” I am often asked this question when I say that I work for an anti-poverty organization that champions ending poverty through a human rights framework.

Why are human rights so important when we talk about ending poverty in Canada? And who are we talking about when we say there are an estimated people in this country who live in poverty?

In recent years, Gender Based Violence (GBV), gender equality and poverty reduction have become a major focal point for policy initiatives and government mandates alike. As we know, poverty is multi-layered and complex making it hard to even truly define the term, let alone how it overtly impacts our communities, and gender based violence too. It gets even more complicated when take into consideration the diversity found in a country like Canada. But looking at poverty from a human rights framework is a step towards clarity.

Poverty is a human rights issue

, and using a human rights framework allows us to address the root causes of poverty, rather than merely addressing the “symptoms” of it. Through our international obligations found in various treaties, accords, and covenants, Canada is required to create an environment where all people can access an adequate standard of living – and with that, eliminate poverty. Our human rights centre around the , which means that everyone possesses the same rights regardless of who they are, where they are from, their income, or other conditions.

Despite this principle of non-discrimination, there is a stark overrepresentation of women who experience poverty in Canada. A recent  from 2011 found that the median employment income in female lone-parent families with children under 6 was $21,200, which was found to be 50% less than the average income in equivalent male lone-parent families ($43,300.30).

Poverty is also a women’s rights issue

The reality is that, in Canada, not only are more women impacted by poverty, making up , but poverty is directly connected to increased rates of gender-based violence (GBV). For example, on any given night, there are  and children sleeping in shelters due to unsafe living conditions at home and a lack of access to other options. And certain female demographics experience the intersection of poverty and violence at higher rates than others. For example, rates of violence for indigenous women are more than than non-indigenous women.

In their report on Poverty and gender-based violence (GBV), the Government of Canada states: “”. The combined effect of poverty and violence increases a woman’s risk of victimization, isolates women and steals their ability to participate meaningfully within their homes and throughout their communities. There is a clear connection between women’s economic dependence and violence, creating an even larger gap for women living in rural areas where jobs often have low wages and there is a significant lack of resources such as social supports. Services that are often lacking in rural communities include shelters or counselling services. The discrepancy in service provision is a blatant disregard to our government’s rudimentary human rights obligations.

Poverty traps women in unsafe conditions

Poverty also continues to greatly impact the ability for women to leave violent, abusive and unsafe living situations. In a policy brief released by the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH), they report that are undeniably the two top challenges for women and children leaving abusive relationships. Because of their increased levels of poverty, women fleeing violent situations face impossible choices. For example, escaping the situation at home might mean choosing homelessness, hunger, and unsafe living conditions for themselves and their children. Without an adequate income, women often live on the margins of society, constantly struggling to survive

Khayman Wood, a Victim Support worker at Ottawa Victim Services (OVS), says that he sees this parallel between poverty and staying in a bad situation far too often. “I have seen first-hand people staying in abusive relationships because they have nowhere else to go,” he says. Wood’s clients often make initial contact during a time of crisis, recounting that his first case was a woman trying to leave a 10 year-long abusive marriage. From there, Wood tries to connect his clients to services such as emotional supports, practical assistance, and advocacy.

According to Wood, advocacy is a key part to addressing the systemic barriers his clients face: “It isn’t just about income; it is about lack of supports with prescription medications, with childcare, with housing. The biggest issue right now is a lack of affordable housing…Ottawa is facing a crisis.”

Wood also notes that when supports such as shelters (or other various accommodations provisions) become full, there is an increase in women staying in unsafe situations for lack of alternative options.

Poverty’s intersection with GBV is complex, and has severe consequences that affect millions of women and children firsthand.

A Canada without Poverty and GBV?

The relief of poverty or GBV, even within our international obligations and human rights frameworks, will be an ongoing process for governments and civil society.  But by addressing the root causes of systemic marginalization and the various aspects of GBV, we will help reduce poverty for all Canada’s citizens.

So, what should our governments and civil society be doing next?

Moving forward with the national housing strategy, gender pay equity legislation, and a national childcare program will help give women better stability and more options when facing poverty and violent situations. By implementing equal pay for equal work, relinquishing certain caregiver responsibilities through national childcare, and having a safe place to return to at the end of the day for women and their families, we will see not only poverty reduction, but a stronger and more cohesive Canada. Lifting up all women is a win socially and economically.

Eliminating poverty and GBV is up to us

It is the responsibility of all of us to hold our governments to account for clear and inclusive approaches to addressing poverty and GBV. Making sure your elected representatives know that you support policies that aim to eliminate poverty, and champion women’s rights, are the first steps in mobilizing our voices to see greater support from parliament on these issues.

It is also imperative to remember why we must work collectively to end such egregious human rights violations: it is on all of us to ensure no one has to make the choice between staying in an unsafe, or violent situation and being able to afford medications, food or rent.

Take the time this December, and into the new year, to make conscious choices about supporting initiatives that work to end poverty and give women the fundamental options they so desperately deserve, because in a country as plentiful as Canada, we can no longer be idle on commitments to end poverty, particularly for women and their families.

Since its inception in 2001, Food Secure Canada (FSC) has been a strong voice for food security and sovereignty advancements in Canada. Through partnerships with projects like Community First: Impacts of Community Engagement (CFICE), FSC has brought their advocacy game to new heights.

In contrast with other community-based organizations that often lack capacity to conduct independent research, FSC has capitalized on partnering with organizations rooted in both academia and the community to conduct and produce unique, targeted research. The organization’s community-campus engagement (CCE) work has led to many pivotal wins including grants to conduct research on and . This recognition of FSC as a research-capable organization exhibits an important shift in Canadian culture towards valuing local research expertise and its contribution towards informing all levels of government during policy development.

So, who is FSC and what do they do?

(FSC) is a national network of organizations and individuals working together to bring food and farming issues to the forefront of Canadian policy. Throughout its existence, FSC has championed dialogue domestically and internationally regarding its three main goals: zero hunger, healthy and safe food, and sustainable food systems for all.

As a multi-faceted organization, FSC expedites conversation and action for a more equitable and community-driven food movement. Key components of FSC’s foci of action include: increasing access to food research and knowledge, supporting the development of food research and food-related projects, advocating for food policies at the federal level, and most notably, ensuring all Canadians are given a platform to engage with what a national food policy would do for the millions it intends to serve.

What is FSC’s relationship with CFICE?

In 2012, FSC partnered with CFICE to create the — a network of academics, non-profits and community organizers dedicated to strengthening partnerships between community and academic sectors. The Collaborative helps to increase the quantity and quality of sharp, progressive research that directly impacts the evolution of a more equitable and just food system.

Amanda Wilson, Assistant Professor at Saint Paul University

Amanda Wilson, Assistant Professor in the School of Social Innovation at Saint Paul University and former Post-Doctoral research fellow at FSC, says this collaborative effort between stakeholders isn’t a new phenomenon within food system work in Canada. “There has always been a close and collective relationship between academia and community work, both of which are supportive of each other within the food movement and between agri-food scholars,” Wilson says. While community-campus collaborations have been part of food security work for a while, the Collaborative represents a formal network dedicated to sharing knowledge. Within this knowledge base, FSC and Collaborative members can facilitate relationships between community and campus researchers and collaboratively create and mobilize food research for more informed policy.

Through the Collaborative, FSC has effectively bridged the relationship between front line service work and research faculties. This merger provides various food organizations with a wealth of knowledge, undoubtedly contributing to their advocacy and program facilitation across the country. In addition, the research produced is indispensable since it is driven and informed by community needs and expertise.

Attendees at the Ottawa Food Summit. ©Food Secure Canada

How does the Collaborative, and FSC’s relationship with CFICE, strengthen their advocacy work?

FSC’s partnership with CFICE through the Community Academic Collaborative, has supported FSC in claiming their rightful seat at the table when working with government officials. By bolstering its policy recommendations with comprehensive evidence-based reports, FSC is creating a Canada to be proud of in regards to accessing safe and nutritious food for all.

According to Wilson, FSC’s work has a direct impact on communities across the country: “The partnerships between the community and academic institutions builds a more collective and effective community. It gives [FSC] the chance to engage in research that we wouldn’t normally call research, like town halls or focus groups. We then use this research to create greater engagement for policy change, facilitate conferences and build the complex web of relationships and projects that hopefully moves towards building a better food system for everyone.”

Undeniably, the Collaborative has led to big wins for FSC and the rest of the food community in Canada.

For example, the Collaborative has given FSC the support it needs to continue to fight for a National Food Policy for Canada. This work is important; Despite Canada’s commitments to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, FSC estimates that at least .

The capacity FSC has gained through the Collaborative has given them the ability to produce policy reports, conduct presentations and events, host conferences, and organize to present their research to those who can create change in Canada. FSC’s collaborative CCE efforts were recently rewarded as the release of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food’s report, , thoroughly encompassed several of FSC’s key recommendations including recognizing food as a human right, and the importance of implementing a Food Policy Advisory Body.

FSC’s efforts have even led to recognition by international food organizations also working on national food policy initiatives, as well as another government research contract further increasing its recognition and legitimacy as a leader in food policy work.

Food Secure Canada presents with CFICE as part of a panel on Food Policy Council models at the Common Food Policy Conference in Brussels.

The need for capacity to create opportunity

Community-based organizations like FSC evolving to become leaders in advocacy and research is a feat worthy of recognition. As Wilson notes, many organizations face a continuous struggle to nurture their advocacy and research work in the absence of support from strong community-campus partnerships. “In some ways it’s like a chicken and the egg debate. You need a strong baseline of capacity that allows you to go out and look for contracts and grants to begin with. Once you have that base, you are able to tackle the core concepts of our work, which is making sure the community is in the driver’s seat.”

Through FSC’s ability to capitalize on the support gained through community-campus partnerships like the one with CFICE, FSC has been able to produce research that brings to the table the importance of vibrant food systems. The impact they have had as a result spans from improved access to food in the North, increased environmental stewardship and more widespread sustainable production and harvesting practices, to improved health and safety, and more innovative food initiatives and governance.

As we patiently wait for a Canada with zero hunger, our job has to be supporting organizations and partnerships that fight for a safer, more equitable country for all.

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Community-campus engagement (CCE) projects are meaningful projects that can have remarkable impacts on our communities, even if they can be daunting at first. Don’t be scared!

If you’ve found yourself gearing up to start a CCE partnership and are ready to make lasting change, check out our 10 tips and tricks to make the most of your CCE.

1. Share responsibilities strategically between partners

Creating tasks and assigning responsibilities can be a fantastic place to start any CCE. Promoting a collective and open approach to roles and responsibilities at the start allows for individual input and rapport building. It can also help with clear communication, agenda setting and accountability!

2. Create roles with input from your team

Whenever it is practical, incorporate team member suggestions and talents during the creation of project roles. For example, if someone is a social media superstar, consider asking them if they’d like to be in charge of your project’s social media. Keep in mind that roles should be based on partner time and resource availability. Be sure to regularly review and update project roles since partner interests and skills can change, as can project needs.

3. Get creative but make sure roles are clearly defined

Having clear roles and responsibilities helps keep communication open and drives individual and collective accountability. Although having a clear division of roles is important, it can sometimes be tricky when working in teams. We suggest taking the time to have team members write out what they want to contribute, what their key strengths may be, how much time they can invest and more. This is a great way to get everyone on the same page, even if partners shift as the project evolves!

4. Focus on building trusting relationships

Make it a goal for all team members to engage in an open and honest way with each other. This will likely require respectful discussion on power dynamics, privilege, personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as a commitment to transparency and giving everyone the opportunity to have their voices heard. Also, be aware that sometimes communities can feel apprehensive towards working with universities; if needed, try to acknowledge past power imbalances that may have inhibited a truly trusting relationship.

5. Use common language everyone can understand

When working in partnerships, be cognizant of organizational terminology or slang that could be an obstacle for good working relations. Try and use common, shared language that isn’t specific to your organization. What do we mean? We mean use plain language! You will know you’re using plain language when team members can find what they need, understand it and then use it. Check out CFICE’s guide to plain language here!

6. Acknowledge the power dynamics attached to financial resources

Often, funding can come with a cost. Who controls funding, as well as obligations to funders, can sometimes create power dynamics within CCE partnerships between how the money is received and how it is allocated. Some partnerships take a collective approach to financial resources by talking openly, creating a transparent budget, and involving everyone in the budget decision making process. This approach can help balance power dynamics and allows partners to share responsibilities evenly by deciding collectively how to distribute funds within program mandates.

7. Take advantage of resources found on campuses

Always investigate what kind of resources you can use for free on university campuses. Using library databases and connecting with librarians, finding student volunteers, or accessing free meeting spaces all helps with reducing project costs. Using these resources to help your team is a great step, but, when using these resources, stay mindful of barriers that make campuses inaccessible – such as parking costs.

8. Have Research Assistants help keep projects on track

Research Assistants (RAs) who are embedded in the community (i.e. working at community organization offices) can help manage timeline expectations for the project as they understand both community and academic schedules. Because of this, they are uniquely positioned to help not only bridge the gap between the two worlds but also set project timelines that are realistic and thoughtful.

9. Communication, communication, communication

Successful CCE projects have clear, open communication channels that allow partners to connect directly and effectively throughout the project. Having various means of communication can help facilitate open communication. CFICE partners report that having several channels to work through creates an opportunity for honest discussions and a more seamless interaction when adjustments may be necessary. Having the options to work together electronically, face-to-face, or by phone, allows for team members to use a variety of communication methods based off situation and comfort levels.

Empower and engage all participants

Finally, ensure you are always doing your best to empower all participants and team members engaging in your projects. We know this is hard, but start by listening intently and including suggestions from everyone whenever possible. Both academic and community partners come to the partnership with their own privilege. Being aware of this privilege and using it to help empower each other can make a partnership that much more impactful. CCE projects are rich in community capacity and collaborators are innovative and diverse–this is one of their greatest strengths! Make time to celebrate the multifaceted approach CCE projects have to offer any opportunity you have.

With these tips, we hope that your CCE project feels like an exciting opportunity to bring together and empower academic and community-based partners. Now, get out and get engaged!