Press Release Author: The University of British Columbia
Industry: Environment
Press Release Summary: The UBC/UW Summer Institute in Sustainability provides sustainability managers, strategic planners and institutional policy makers the opportunity to explore the why and how of making sustainability a core value in organizations. The Institute provides a full week of educational activities so that participants develop a deep understanding of the issues that surround sustainability planning, programming, and on-going sustainability management.
This intensive professional development program takes place over 5 days and an evening at the UBC Point Grey campus and is delivered in partnership by UBC Continuing Studies, the UBC Sustainability Office and the University of Washington Extension.
For more info, please visit http://www.cstudies.ubc.ca/sustainability
Press Release Body: UBC / UW Summer Institute in Sustainability Helps Organizations Adopt "Green" Values and Formulate Action Plans
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE VANCOUVER, BC - 13 May, 2008
"Going green" has become more than just a feel-good marketing angle for corporations and organizations - it is now an essential component of the operational and business model. That's the message that the Summer Institute in Sustainability is getting out as they prepare institutions, governmental organizations and companies to meet the challenges and opportunities of sustainability.
Presented by The University of British Columbia (UBC) Continuing Studies, the UBC Sustainability Office and University of Washington (UW) Extension, the week-long conference takes place at the UBC campus in Vancouver and offers participants a deeper understanding of the scientific, economic and social issues surrounding sustainability as well as the skills necessary to set sustainability goals, create and implement action plans and measure results.
The institute kicks off with a 100-Mile Dinner (whereby main meal ingredients come from within a 100-mile radius of Vancouver) and keynote address from Peter Robinson, CEO of the David Suzuki Foundation. Throughout the week, lectures, case studies and on-site excursions focus on sustainability planning and applying sustainability practices to energy, transportation, water, reduction and recycling, and other important areas. Featured speakers include: Mike Harcourt, former mayor of Vancouver and premier of British Columbia; Charlene Easton, director of the UBC Sustainability Office; James Tansey, assistant professor and chair in Business Ethics at the UBC Sauder School of Business; along with other leading experts and industry practitioners with experience in developing and managing sustainability programs.
"The goal is to provide participants with the tools and techniques necessary to conceptualize and develop a sustainability plan for their organization," explains William Koty, institute organizer and director of applied degree programs for UBC Continuing Studies. "In particular, the case studies will give participants an inside look into the challenges and successes of a variety of sustainability projects right here on the UBC campus so that they can learn from our experiences."
"I am pleased with this opportunity to partner with The University of British Columbia to share our combined knowledge and expertise in sustainability practices. Participants and presenters are sure to benefit from the experience. Environmental issues know no political boundary, and together, UW and UBC provide a unique perspective from both sides of the border," says David Szatmary, Ph.D., vice provost at UW Educational Outreach.The Institute is designed for individuals taking leadership in developing policy, creating plans and implementing projects in sustainability in large businesses, colleges, universities, and local, state and provincial governments.
The Summer Institute in Sustainability takes place at The University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus, from July 20 to 25, 2008. For more information and registration, visit http://www.cstudies.ubc.ca/sustainability or call 604-822-0371.
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Media Contact: Katie Jane Morrell; Tel: 604-822-0371; Email: sustainability@cstudies.ubc.ca
Background
UBC Sustainability Office: Launched in 1998, the office is completely funded by savings from UBC energy reduction programs. UBC hosts internationally renowned scholars in a variety of sustainability areas including ecological footprinting, green building, clean energy, community and regional planning, political ecology of water use, globalization, and biotechnology. UBC offers more than 450 courses related to sustainability and is home to several research centres that focus on this topic. Find out more at www.sustain.ubc.ca.
UBC Continuing Studies: Providing leading-edge educational opportunities that bring the best of UBC to the wider community, UBC Continuing Studies develops and delivers innovative courses and programs focused on practical aspects of living and working in sustainable ways. With approximately 16,000 registrations annually, UBC Continuing Studies offers a wide range of programs to participants from local, national and international markets. Find out more at www.cstudies.ubc.ca.
University of Washington Extension: The mission of UW Extension is to extend and expand the educational resources of the University of Washington to local, regional, national and international communities, and to provide quality educational opportunities that reflect the high academic standards of the university. Find out more at www.extension.washington.edu/ext.
Web Site: http://www.cstudies.ubc.ca/sustainability
Contact Details: Katie Jane Morrell Assistant Program Coordinator, Summer Institute in Sustainability The University of British Columbia 410-5950 University Boulevard Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z3 Tel: 604-822-0371 Fax: 604-822-0388 Web: www.cstudies.ubc.ca/sustainability E-mail: sustainability@cstudies.ubc.ca
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