A New Multi-University Collaboration to Prepare the Next Generation of Global Climate and Environmental Leaders and Citizens
The School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (SPPGA) announces the Climate Adaptation, Resilience and Empowerment (or CARE) Program: an innovative partnership with Sciences Po in Paris, the University of Toronto, and the University of Guelph. This state-of-the-art initiative is designed to instill the next generation of climate-conscious global leaders with the knowledge, skills and experience to generate hands-on solutions to address the climate crisis.
The triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are the greatest challenges the world is facing today, with significant impact on future generations. In the search for solutions, universities have a fundamental role to play by promoting a socially inclusive approach that helps reduce vulnerabilities and better understand and manage climate risks.
The CARE Program will deliver cross-cultural graduate education exchanges on environmental sustainability, addressing climate adaptation, resilience, the international energy transition, biodiversity conservation, and pollution. It will advance education, innovation and public debate for the design and practice of policies that promote sustainable development and respond to the accelerating climate crisis.
“We are thrilled to be working with Sciences Po and the Universities of Toronto and Guelph through the CARE Program. We have numerous faculty and scholars working on different aspects of climate change adaptation and mitigation, and we see partnerships, knowledge-sharing, and cultural exchange of this type as imperative to effectively address the global climate emergency. We are committed to training the next generation of compassionate, informed and climate-conscious leaders and policy-makers through involvement in important initiatives such as the CARE Program.”
The CARE Program aims to reach over 2,000 students with the following initiatives:
- Scholarship and fellowship opportunities for students and faculty in Canada and France;
- A multi-campus climate leadership course;
- Interdisciplinary courses run in collaboration between the universities;
- Applied learning, including research projects, both on-campus and in the field;
- Advocacy and communications to maximize impact and to disseminate good practices.
Signed for a 5-year period beginning on 3 May 2024, the CARE Program is made possible by a €7.2 million grant from the Foundation David R. Graham, which is involved in promoting cultural exchanges between France and Canada.
