Presenting ideas for a more just and equitable London

As part of the Community Based Learning Symposium, being held at Innovation Works (201 King Street in London) on March 27, 2019 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Social Justice and Peace Studies (SJPS) students will be sharing their ideas for a more just and equitable London with the community.

As part of the event, third and fourth students from the SJPS Community Based Learning class will share their posters on their policy and advocacy ideas to address equity and justice issues in London. These issues include why London would benefit from an Indigenous Peoples Court; women’s stigmatization in addiction issues; investments in youth and mental health, the impact of road salt on the environment in London; and a call for the mandatory distribution of unsold foods to those in need.

“Through the projects, students are able to think past their experiences in community to what policies or ideas could be implemented to address issues locally in the sector which they’ve been working in for the past year. In sharing those ideas publicly, students learn how to effectively communicate big ideas in a way that decision makers and the community can understand. They also have the opportunity to contribute something of tangible value back to London and the community partners they have been working with. Students also make valuable connections to nonprofits, community organizations, government and businesses,” says Professor Shawna Lewkowitz of the Social Justice and Peace Studies program.

The event will be held at Innovation Works because as Lewkowitz says “because they are community-focused projects, we prefer to have them presented in the community where more people can attend the event and learn from the students’ work.”

The symposium is open to the public as a drop-in event. In 2018, the event drew approximately 50 people including community partners, politicians, fellow students, faculty and the general public.

“The feedback was tremendous. The students were surprised by the community’s interest in their projects and the community was impressed with the high quality of the students' ideas. Connections were made where certain politicians and individuals wanted to follow up with students about their policy ideas; several were used as resources and building blocks for initiatives in London,” Lewkowitz says.

Community partners involved in the symposium include:

• Atlohsa
• London Poverty Research Centre
• Pillar Nonprofit Network
• London Environmental Network
• Antler River Rally
• Unity Project
• Life*Spin
• SafeSpace
• London Food Coalition
• Anova
• Youth for Christ
• Regional HIV Aids Connection
• St. Joseph’s Hospitality Centre
• London Youth Advisory Council
• Family Services Thames Valley
• Fanshawe College Sexual Violence Prevention

For more information on the Social Justice and Peace Studies Community Based Learning Symposium, please visit https://www.kings.uwo.ca/about-kings/visitor-info/calendar-of-events/sjps-4th-year-global-issues-symposium1/