| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.18 |
| Liaison | Chris Adam |
| Submission Date | Dec. 30, 2024 |
Dawson College
EN-14: Participation in Public Policy
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Chris
Adam Coordinator Sustainability Office |
Local advocacy
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the municipal/local level:
As was announced at COP15 in Montreal (2023), Dawson has committed to increasing biodiversity by developing a landscape plan that will return a minimum of 30% of the surface area to Nature and begin developing more ecozones to attract 1000 species in 1000 days (initiative started in 2022-Nature Positive Alliance). Link:
https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/news/dawson-community-mobilizing-to-identify-1000-species-in-1000-days/
https://www.naturepositiveuniversities.net/
Food Security - Dawson is actively involved in Food Security issues for the city of Montreal (2019-2023). Dawson is a partner in a multi-stakeholder partnership mapping the food gardens and food markets in Montreal. This has led to consulting on the "politic d'Enfant" (Montreal Child Policy) and published policy suggestions (see note section below).
Dawson has signed the Montreal Climate Coalition declaration for a Carbon Neutral City, strongly suggesting actions needed to achieve carbon neutrality for Montreal by 2042 (Montreal's 400th anniversary). https://coalitionclimatmtl.org/en/sign-the-declaration/
Regional advocacy
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the state/provincial/regional level:
3194 Dawson students and staff signed a peptition in 2024 to exempt indegenous students from provisions of Bill-14 (French language law) and this is now being presented at the national assembly in Quebec.
Dawson is part of a regional network of colleges working with the Federation des CEGEPS in Quebec that is working on a provincial ecologisation project and hopes to obtain funding from the government to formalize sustainability offices and programs in each college. Dawson participated in an original survey of CEGEP's that created ratings in sustainability within the province as a base document for the government. Document attached below.
Dawson also cancelled classes and supported a student climate action march in 2022 to put pressure on the provincial gov't to act on climate issues. Dawson was one of the first colleges to commit to a student "climate march".
National advocacy
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the national level:
Dawson administration and sustainability office have met and presented to 3 Canadian federal ministers in 2022 (Transport Minister, Minister of Families, Children & Social Development, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions) to review how sustainability projects that engage youth are important post-COVID for stress reduction strategies and should be recognized as such.
Dawson was also involved in: Signatories of Building Back Better to Ensure Well-being for All, Colleges & Institutes Canada – National Level, Canadian institutions. Link: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/research/college-research-and-innovation-is-helping-canada-build-back-better/
As part of a pan-Canadian working group of college representatives (2019-present) with Colleges & Institutes Canada, Dawson continues to advocate for GHG monitoring in colleges and offsetting.
International advocacy
A brief description of how the institution engages in public policy advocacy for sustainability at the international level:
A) Dawson hosted the World College & Polytechnic Youth Camp in 2023 and worked on a World College & Polytechnic Declaration including sustainability content. Link: https://educationnewscanada.com/article/education/level/colleges/2/1018189/colleges-and-institutes-canada-and-world-federation-of-colleges-and-polytechnics-strengthen-their-commitment-to-building-a-more-sustainable-and-equitable-world-.html
The edits provided by youth (including Dawson students) were all accepted at the conference and signed by youth representatives. Their comments included immediate action on sustainability/climate issues and more authentic outdoor learning.
Dawson was also a founding signatory to the Positive Nature Alliance announced at COP15 in Montreal.
Dawson's Carbon Neutral Forever announcement is expressed internationally with our partners and as a signatory to the Global Climate Letter https://www.sdgaccord.org/climateletter
Optional Fields
1. Dawson is actively involved in Food Security issues for the city of Montreal (2019-2020). Dawson is a partner in a multi-stakeholder partnership mapping the food gardens and food markets in Montreal. This has led to consulting on the "politic d'Enfant" (Montreal Child Policy).
https://www.mcgill.ca/centre-montreal/projects/policy-children
Press release: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2019/31/c7204.html
References of published essays/research by Dawson faculty member Anna-Liisa Aunio:
Aunio, A. & Dubé, L. (2020). “On the Front Lines in Food Policy: Assessing the Role of Neighborhoods for Food Systems Transformation in the Montreal Food Polity, paper presented at FLEdGE: Food, Locally Embedded, Globally Engaged,” May 28, Zoom.
Aubert, A. M., Aunio, A. L., Knezevic, I., Mark, S., & Wilkes, J. (2020, Oct. 30). “Shaping Food Policies for Resilient Regions.” Webinar.
Aunio, A., & Dube, L. (May 28, 2020). On the Front Lines in Food Policy: Assessing the Role of Neighborhoods for Food Systems Transformation. FLEdGE Paper Mini-Sessions. Online.
**Aunio, A.L. (2023). Community Resources and Intervention for Vulnerable Populations: A Neighborhood Analysis. Toronto: Canadian Association of Food Studies.
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://foodstudies.info/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/CAFS-2023-FINAL-Program.pdf
**peer-reviewed.
Aunio, A.-L., Martorell, H., Begg, R., Vansintjan, A. (2020). Community-based methodologies for local food systems: A toolkit. Dawson Food Justice Hub, Dawson College.
https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/news/food-justice-toolkit-developed-by-dawson-researchers-and-local-community-organizations-now-available/
Aunio, A.-L., & Dube, L. (2021). On the Front Lines in Food Policy: Assessing the Role of Neighbourhoods for Food Systems Transformation in the Montreal Food Polity. Canadian Food Studies La Revue Canadienne Des études Sur l’alimentation, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.15353/cfs-rcea.v8i2.493.
Aunio, A.L., & Begg, R. (2021). « La saine alimentation et la sécurité alimentaire des jeunes : Étude exploratoire sur le rôle et le mandat de la Ville de Montréal »,, pgs. 27-46 in « Explorations des rôles possibles de la Ville de Montréal pour une politique de l’enfant, ». Montréal, QC : Centre de recherches interdisciplinaires en études montréalaises (CRIEM).
https://www.mcgill.ca/centre-montreal/fr/projets/politique-de-lenfant
Aunio, A.L., Aubert, A.M., & Begg, R. (2021). Nourishing Smart City Solutions: Data Collaboration and Food Policy. Community Solutions Network Research Brief. Montreal: Open North.
(link to press release with download: https://opennorth.ca/publications/nourishing-smart-city-solutions-data-collaboration-and-food-policy/)
Dawson continues to advocate for gun control and the abolition of semi-automated weapons after a tragic school shooting on campus in 2006. With the unfortunate reoccurrence of school shootings, Dawson administration is often contacted for comment or international speaking engagements. The Quebec Anastasia de Sousa act was passed by the National Assembly in 2007. This bill prohibits the possession of firearms in the buildings and on the grounds of childcare facilities and educational institutions and in conveyances used for public transportation and school transportation. By government regulation, any other institution may be added to those listed in the bill. Dawson continues to advocate for gun control.
Dawson has been very active in Morelos, Mexico with multiple university partnerships in research and has invited, discussed and collaborated with municipal, state and federal representatives during sustainability forums. These representatives were in the field of education and sustainability in Mexico. Water security and contamination issues within institutes of higher education have been addressed with the establishment of rooftop water collection (2019) and purification systems (2014). Lectures and workshops involving the rights of indigenous peoples, food justice, young parent access to university were some topics of discussion at planned conference events in Mexico.
Indigenous Education Protocol, developed by Colleges and Institutes Canada and to which Dawson is a signatory;
https://www.collegesinstitutes.ca/what-we-do/our-priorities/accelerating-reconciliation/indigenous-education-protocol/
N/A
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability advocacy efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Article - International Youth Camp: https://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/news/world-youth-coming-to-dawson-for-sustainable-happiness-camp/
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.