The University of Alberta is one of the top teaching and research universities in Canada, with an international reputation for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering and health sciences. UAlberta’s Community Service-Learning (CSL) Unit, serving students and academics across faculties and disciplines, holds extensive expertise and experience in facilitating community-driven partnerships with non-profit organizations for deep social and environmental impact.
This project built foundational green skills through UAlberta’s CSL Unit to develop a workforce that is equipped to navigate profound changes in Canada’s transition to a net-zero carbon economy. UAlberta’s CSL Unit brokered and supported up to 52 non-profit, social purpose, and environmental organizations to host and mentor 298 students in CSL projects. These projects provided 437 experiences in the green economy and helped innovate the local not-for-profit sector as it moves to net-zero carbon emissions. The model saw the construction of voluntary projects integrated into academic courses and co-curricular summer internships. Each CSL project extended student learning on vital environmental issues, and was anchored in Environmental Sociology, Agricultural and Resource Economics, and Social Marketing.
These CSL opportunities directly supported innovation and talent identification for the not-for-profit and social purpose sectors in Alberta, and created the necessary environmental literacies required for a greener sector, culture, and economy.
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