Join a virtual Knowledge Exchange for sustainability research centres and academics. Learn from speakers and from each other.
So much is happening in the world right now – trade wars, regression of climate commitments, armed conflicts, and persistent inequity. We know many of you are wondering what role you, as academics and staff at sustainability research centres, can play in shaping these issues. Let’s create a moment of community to explore this together.
When: Tuesday, May 27, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm EST
Where: On Zoom (registration required)
What:Â This call will start with a panel, where academics from around the world share a unique approach they have taken to public and political engagement. Then, attendees will be invited to share their own thoughts and experiences.
(Note: Often, NBS Knowledge Exchanges are only for the academics and staff affiliated with research centres. However, this topic seems timely and helpful for all academics, so we welcome any researcher to join this event!)
About the Panelists
Panelists will describe four different initiatives, each with a unique approach to bringing evidence-based insight into the public and political domain. The hope is that by presenting a range of engagement approaches, all attendees will find ideas that can be adapted to their own context and stakeholders.
Speakers will present in the following order, moving from national engagement to international engagement:
Rezvan Sharifnia & Neda Afsham, Sharif Sustainable Development School, Iran
On running an NGO to help environmental stakeholders push for national policy change
Researchers at the Sharif Sustainable Development School conducted a comprehensive study, diagnosing issues in Iran’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) system and proposing actionable solutions. Realizing that publishing the report alone wouldn’t drive change, they took on an active role as advocates. Alongside engaging all stakeholders, they founded the Iran Environmental Assessment Watch, a specialized NGO dedicated to monitoring and promoting reforms to Iran’s National EIA system. Though recently established, the NGO has gained significant insights. Rezvan Sharifnia and Neda Afsham are experts in environmental impact assessment and represent the NGO’s efforts as members of the Sharif Sustainable Development School team.
Tom Lyon, University of Michigan, United States
On making corporate political engagement more responsible
Tom and his colleague, Elizabeth Doty, help companies ensure their firm’s political influence is principled and responsible. They have been doing this work through the Erb Institute’s Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce, and will soon move their activities to a new non-profit called Third Side Strategies.Â
Nadia Lambek, Western University, Canada
On helping to ensure marginalized voices are heard in policy making
Nadia researches the role of law in shaping food systems and the engagement of social movements in law-making. Nadia is actively engaged in developing the field of food law and policy in Canada. She also regularly collaborates with civil society organizations on food system governance, including working with the Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples’ Mechanism to the UN Committee on World Food Security.
Charles H. Cho, Schulich School of Business, Canada
On shaping global sustainability reporting standards
Charles is one of two academic members the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)’s Global Sustainability Standards Board. Here, he is supporting the creation of the first global guidelines for corporate impact materiality reporting (that’s when companies disclose their impact on people and the planet.) GRI also encourages global policy makers to mandate the use of impact materiality reporting standards for improved transparency and accountability.
Have questions about the event? Chelsea Hicks-Webster (NBS Community and Content Manager) would be happy to help: chicks@ivey.ca
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