Tessa Hebb editor and contributor. Responsible investing provides a long-term sustainable investment strategy that values environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in investment decision-making. The Next Generation of Responsible Investment explores this topic in an edited volume intended for those with an interest in finance and business. Click here for more
Coming in 2013:
The Routledge Companion to Philanthropy:
Co-edited by Susan Phillips of Carleton University with contributions by Tessa Hebb and Calum Carmichael , this volume is a comprehensive, one-stop resource for students, researchers and practitioners. It assesses the current state and future of the rapidly changing field of philanthropy. It provides the first international, critical assessment of the history, recent developments and emerging challenges in philanthropy. International in scope, it provides contributions by leading scholars from a wide range of countries and disciplines with the intent of helping to shape the future of philanthropy research for the next decade.
Socially Responsible Investing in the 21st Century: Does it Make a Difference for Society:
This volume co-edited by Tessa Hebb and Celine Louche will investigate the question of whether or not SRI makes a difference, whether or not SRI generates positive societal and environmental results, whether or not SRI has the capacity and ability to participate to a change towards sustainable development. Click here for the full Call for Papers
Call for papers
PRI-CBERN 5th Annual Academic Conference
The conference will be held at Schulich Business School in Toronto onOctober 1-3, 2012. As with previous years, the conference will be coordinated with the Finance and Sustainability awards so that applicants need only apply one time to be considered for the conference and awards. Details about the conference are available on conference website and the application for the conference and awards is available here.
The Recession and Beyond: Taking Stock of Evolving Government-Nonprofit Relationships
On November 16th, 2011, in Toronto, Public Policy and Third Sector Initiative, Queen's University, in collaboration with the Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy Research (ANSER) hosted a conference, The Recession and Beyond: Taking Stock of Evolving Government-Nonprofit Relationships. 3ci Research Associate Evren Tok presented a paper with Barbara Levine, Adjunct Professor at Carleton's School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA).
Professor Susan Phillips, Director of SPPA and 3ci Research Associate, Susan Carter also presented.
Please click here for more information on the conference. To access Dr. Tok's presentation, please click here.
New Research on the Federal Government's Northern Strategy and Government-Assisted Housing in the Northwest Territories
In November 2011, at a public event in Yellowknife, Frances Abele and Nick Falvo released new research on the federal government's northern strategy and government-assisted housing in the Northwest Territories respectively. Copies of the 2011-2012 edition of How Ottawa Spends, which contains the research, can be purchased online from McGill-Queen's University Press.
Tessa Hebb and three 3ci graduate students, Heather Hachigian, Gabriel Huppe and Hugues Letourneau present 4 new papers on responsible investing at the Annual Principles for Responsible Investing Academic Network Conference held September 26th to 28th in Sigtuna, Stockholm. 3ci had the single largest contingent of students at the conference, marking the important role that graduate students play in our research. Abstracts and presentations are available.
3ci Team to Attend SERNNoCa’s Northern Summit on the Social Economy
The Social Economy and Research Network of Northern Canada (SERNNoCa) will hold its final summit meeting in Yellowknife on November 21-23, 2011. The summit will involve northern community activists, researchers and teachers, as well as researchers from the rest of Canada. Among the presenters and panel discussants are 3ci’s Academic Director Frances Abele, and 3ci researchers Nick Falvo, Joshua Gladstone, Sheena Kennedy and Jerald Sabin.
Frances Abele is the director of The State and the Social Economy in the North research theme, one of the four research themes guiding SERNNoCa’s work. She will present an overview of the findings of research in this theme. Nick Falvo will present on Housing and Being Homeless in Yellowknife. Joshua Gladstone will cover Northern Economic Development and the Social Economy: Public Policy Questions for Nunavut. Sheena Kennedy will discuss The Igloolik Socio-Economic Baseline Study (2009-2010). Jerald Sabin will present twice, on different aspects of the social economy in Yellowknife.
To learn more about SERNNoCa and the Yellowknife summit, please click here.
Improving Access to University Education in the Canadian Arctic
Thierry Rodon and the ArcticNet research project Improving Access to University Education in the Canadian Arctic: Learning from Past Experiences and Listening to Inuit Student Experiences will be holding a worshop in Kuujjuaq on November 22nd, 2011 with representatives from Northern and Southern institutions involved in Inuit post-secondary education. This workshop follows the one held at Carleton University in March, which focused on sharing experiences. The Kuujjuaq workshop will discuss the issues of sustainaing successful programs and developing the best model for a university in Northern Canada. For more information on the ArcticNet research project please visit the following link: http://www.arcticnet.ulaval.ca/research/summary.php?project_id=77
Frances Abele and BEACEN collaborator Ian Mauro to participate on a panel at the 3rd Canadian Science Policy Conference
CBERN/ UBC Symposium on SRI and the Extractive Sector
3ci presented new work on the Impact of Engagement at CBERN/ UBC Symposium on SRI and the Extractive Sector. Rupert Allan and Tessa Hebb presented their research paper (second author Hugues Letourneau) Shareholder Engagement in the Extractive Sector at the symposium Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) and Canadian Extractive Industries hosted by the University of British Columbia and CBERN on September 10-11th 2011. The symposium brought together one dozen speakers from the legal, investment, NGO, academic and industry communities to discuss a range of legal, policy and financial issues concerning how investors attempt to influence the social and environmental performance of extractive industries and to consider potential reforms. For paper abstract click here. For presentation click here.
3ci Welcomes a Visiting Researcher from Brazil
Thales Speroni is a master's student in Sociology. at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). The university's campus is located in Porto Alegre, in the southern region of Brazil. Thales's researches probes the construct of subjectivity in the workplace. He is currently studying the solidarity economy and the impact on the
relationship of workers and their labour. With support from his Alma Matter (UFRGS), Thales will arrive at Carleton University in mid October and collaborate with experts interested in understanding the Brazillian Solidarity Economy. The primary objective of this cooperative exchange is to build strategic networks between the Sociology Graduate Program at UFRGS and the 3Ci. From March to August of next year (2012), Thales will be part of 3ci team through the program "Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program" (ELAP). This program is promoted by the Canadian Bureau for International Education, which encourages research collaborations in disciplines that promote good governance, prosperity, peace and security and economic development. Thales plans to capitalize on this unique opportunity to obtain a greater grasp of Canada's social economy.
Social Gold: Financing Strategies for Non-Profits in a Turbulent World
On September 22, Public Policy Professor Ted Jackson addressed 100 delegates at the 52nd annual general meeting of Community Living Quinte West in Trenton, Ontario. Professor Jackson's mother, Ann Jackson, also a Carleton alumna,was a leader in the community living field in the North Grenville area. And his sister is on the board of CLQW. He spoke on the need for non-profits to diversify their revenue sources by mining new veins of "social gold:" high-value assets that take the form of donations, legacy gifts, innovation, technology, leadership and volunteer skills. Especially in a time of turbulence in the world economy, non-profits must work harder to find and deploy these assets as they navigate forward. To read Professor Jackson's presentation, click here.
“What does it Mean to Start a Social Enterprise”
3ci Researcher Sean MacKinnon, with the assistance of Urszula Adamik, Michelle Guevara and Heather Wood, have prepared a primer intended to provide insight and a brief introduction for organizations looking towards the possibility of starting a social enterprise. Please click here to access the primer.
Report on Social Metrics
Dr. Tessa Hebb's research study provides further insight into the use of social metrics in Canada and the ways in which the social metrics field can be further advanced in Canada. Please click here to access the report.
Academic Director Frances Abele collaborating with Dechinta Bush University
Academic director Frances Abele is a collaborator with the Dechinta Bush University, a community-developed northern study and learning centre. Click here to see a presentation by Erin Freeland Ballantyne on Dechinta.
Carleton Centre for Community Innovation receives $1-million SSHRC Grant for Responsible Investing Research
(Ottawa, May 25, 2011) − The Carleton Centre for Community Innovation (3ci) at Carleton University has received a five-year, $1-million Community University Research Alliance Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to investigate responsible investing in Canada and around the world.
Building on a previous three-year Knowledge Impact in Society Grant, the Carleton Centre for Community Innovation is fast becoming one of the world’s centres of excellence in advancing our understanding of responsible investing and shareholder impacts on the environmental, social and governance standards of companies. Please click here for more...
Leveraging Private Capital for Public Good
On March 2nd, 2011, 3ci hosted a day‐long symposium on social enterprises and social finance solutions. Canada’s civil society organizations face increasing social and environmental challenges in a period of growing fiscal constraints. Lasting solutions to these challenges will require a commitment to
innovation. This symposium explored opportunities to address social and environmental challenges through social enterprise and social finance. Please click here to access the presentations and summaries of the day's discussions.
3ci Researchers present papers at ICASS VII in Iceland
Two researchers from the Carleton Centre for Community Innovation have the opportunity to present papers at the International Arctic Social Sciences Association meeting this June. This is the Seventh International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences, the theme of which is “Circumpolar Perspectives in Global Dialogue: Social Sciences beyond the International Polar Year.” This meeting occurs once every three years, and will be hosted this year in Akureyri, Iceland by the University of Akureyri and the Stefansson Arctic Institute. Joshua Gladstone and Sheena Kennedy will be attending the event on 22-26 June, 2011.
Joshua Gladstone, a Ph.D. candidate at Carleton’s School of Public Policy and Administration will present his two papers, “Evaluating the Effects of Comprehensive Land Claims Agreements in Canada: An Aboriginal Policy Perspective”; and “Rationality and Justice in Arctic Development Policy: The Case of Nunavut.”
Sheena Kennedy, a graduate of the MA program at Carleton’s school of Public Policy and Administration will present her paper “Toward a New Development Framework: Modeling Northern Economies, a look at Igloolik, Nunavut.” This paper contributes to Sheena Kennedy’s ongoing research on the topics of social economy and economic development in northern communities.
The papers will be posted on our website in the coming weeks.
Learn more about the Seventh International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences here.
Nick Falvo & Arlene Haché
Launch Policy Report on Homelessness
June 3, 2011 – Last week, the Carleton Centre for Community Innovation’s Nick Falvo and his community partner Arlene Haché were in Yellowknife launching their recent policy report on homelessness. Falvo and Haché have been engaged with the project since 2009. The full report, entitled “Homelessness in Yellowknife: An Emerging Social Challenge.”, synthesizes local knowledge on the issue, compares and contrasts Yellowknife with other jurisdictions, and makes five policy recommendations “regarding the need for increased accountability, shelter standards, more housing options for the homeless, and a public health response to alcohol and drug use.” Homelessness in Yellowknife is an “important and timely topic” for the community, and the launching of Falvo’s report has received significant attention from media sources such as CBC News, CBC Radio, Northern News Services, and CJCD Mix 100 News.
See the full report here, and full video footage of the Policy Report Launch in Yellowknife here.
Also, see Nick Falvo and Arlene Haché’s presentation here.
Leveraging Canadian Shareholders to Effect Change in Corporate Governance: A Case Study
3ci Research Associate Heather Hachigian recently completed her research paper for her Masters program at the Carleton School of Public Policy and Administration under the supervision of Dr. Tessa Hebb and Dr. Graeme Auld. This paper is part of an ongoing research agenda at 3ci on the impact of corporate engagement. The paper focuses on the ‘Say on Pay’ engagement campaign of the Canadian PRI signatory SHARE. Interviews with investors and corporate representatives explore the impact of the engagement from a multi-stakeholder perspective.
The paper concludes that cooperation between the state and institutional investors leads to effective leveraging of the investor's legitimacy, urgency and power to coerce or encourage more corporations to change their ESG behaviour. Recognizing that public policy has a key role to play, the paper suggests avenues for enhancing corporate governance in Canada through a hybrid framework. Please click here to view the working paper.
Igloolik Socio-Economic Baseline Study Presented to the Hamlet Council of Igloolik
Sheena Kennedy and Frances Abele presented the final report for the 2009-2010 Igloolik Socio-Economic Baseline Study to the Hamlet Council of Igloolik in February. The study was a joint project between the Igloolik Hamlet Council and Carleton University. The purpose of the study was to document the economy of Igloolik as it was in 2009-10, taking into account all aspects of the economy including waged work, unpaid and volunteer work, harvesting, businesses, and artistic production. Two surveys were conducted by a team of community researchers led by Sheena Kennedy - a household survey of 95% of Igloolik households, and a detailed individual survey of two hundred Igloolik adults. Employment information was also collected from the businesses and community organizations in town; and focus groups were held near the end of the study to talk about the results in detail with different segments of the population.
The project was designed as a baseline study so that the Hamlet of Igloolik could repeat the project in the future to measure changes to the community over time, brought about by internal and external influences such as environmental changes, major resource development projects and shifts in demographics.
The information collected for the study will be available to the community in a variety of forms:
An Executive Summary Report available in English and Inuktitut, containing the highlights from the surveys.
A Reference Report that provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the data collected from the surveys, and the analysis developed from the focus groups.
A Presentation available in English and Inuktitut containing an overview of the project and some key highlights from the report.
Showcasing their Success: Alterna Savings' Microfinance Program
Please click on the above link to view the new Alterna short film on the impact of microfinance program at Alterna.
3ci Senior Research Fellow, Ted Jackson, along with Research Assistant Michele Tarsilla, undertook an evaluation of the Community-Micro-Loan Program of Alterna Savings Credit Union in Toronto. The research demonstrates the effectiveness of the program in helping to increase participants’ income, improve their housing, spur job creation and reduce their dependence on social assistance. For a summary of the findings of the evaluation, click here…
3ci is pleased to announce the launch of
aboriginal policy studies is a new online, peer-reviewed and multidisciplinary journal that publishes original, scholarly, and policy relevant research on issues relevant to Métis, non-status Indians and urban Aboriginal peoples in Canada. aps seeks articles by and for a wide audience of scholars, researchers, community activists, and policymakers. Though focused on the Canadian milieu, comparative work from an international Indigenous context pertinent to Canadian readers is welcomed. A similarly broad scope of methodological approaches is encouraged. Please click here to view the first volume, that features 3ci Director Frances Abele & 3ci Senior Research Fellow, Katherine Graham’s article, What Now? Future Federal Responsibilities Towards Aboriginal People Living in Cities.The journal also includes a review of the Heather McGregor book Inuit Education and Schools in the Eastern Arctic, by 3ci Research Associate Sheena Kennedy. Dr. Abele is also a member of the editorial board. Please submit your articles through http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/aps.
Yellowknife's Voluntary and Nonprofit Sector: A Portrait of a Northern Social Economy
3ci Research Associate Jerald Sabin has released a report on the state of the voluntary and nonprofit sector in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The report formed part of the community-led initiative started in June 2009 to examine the state of Yellowknife’s social economy, assess its current structure and organization, and explore its evolving relationships with Government of Canada, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the City of Yellowknife. It argues that both federal and territorial governments have failed to provide an adequate public support system for the northern social economy, creating a universe of lost opportunity in a territory where the cost of social provision remains high and the needs distinctive. The report is being released in partnership with the Social Economy Research Network of Northern Canada.
Earthscan Announces the Launch of the Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment
In response to the growing need among scholars, policy-makers and investment practitioners, Earthscan has launched the Journal of Sustainable Finance and Investment. The first of its kind, the journal provides for a broad debate on the meanings of investing and sustainability and how these might be played out in the financial markets.
Can Canada build a robust impact investing marketplace? It can—but it’s going to take a whole lot of working together.
Read the Canadian Social Finance Task Force’s report to find out what individuals and organizations across the country will have to do to:
• Mobilize new sources of capital
• Develop an enabling tax and regulatory environment
• Provide social entrepreneurs with the needed businesses to launch, operate and scale their innovative ideas
Twenty-five years ago, students from across Canada joined activists and politicians to push for divestment from apartheid South Africa. Today, their sights are on the Middle East. Carleton University's student union last week passed a motion calling on the university's administration to adopt socially responsible investment practices for its $700-million pension fund.
The motion doesn't single out any specific country or region, but instead specifies "illegal occupation" as one reason for divestment. Others include war crimes, crimes against humanity and poor labour or environmental records.
Carleton's current pension fund has no binding ethical-investment rules. Such practices encourage investment in companies that protect the environment, respect human rights and rights of oppressed groups and ethical labour and consumer practices. They also discourage investment in businesses involved in weapons, war, human rights abuses, oppressive regimes, environmental damage, unethical business and labour practices, animal exploitation, pornography, tobacco, gambling, and alcohol.
Frobisher Bay January 2011: Late June weather in early January.
Photo by Jack Hicks, Iqaluit.
For more on our Northern Research, please click here...
University Capital, Community Engagement and Continuing Education: Blending Professional Development and Social Change
Ted Jackson's article, "University Capital, Community Engagement and Continuing Education: Blending Professional Development and Social Change," was recently published in the Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education. The article argues that interest is growing in Canada in the responsible investing of university endowments and pension funds, and that there are new social-finance tools and instruments with which to channel prudent allocations of these capital pools into affordable housing projects and social enterprises, among other social investments. The paper proposes continuing education programs for university administrators, investment processionals, community activists and union members to advance this new area of community-development practice. Please click here to access the article.
Homeless in the Homeland:A Growing Problem For Indigenous People in Canada's North
3ci researchers, Dr. Frances Abele and Nick Falvo, have a short piece out on homelessness amongst Indigenous people in Canada's North. It appears in the current edition of Parity and is co-authored with their community partner, Arlene Haché (Executive Director, Yellowknife Women's Society). Please click here to access the article.
Webinar
3ci and the Canadian Community Investment Network (CCINC) hosted
Lessons for Community Finance for the 2008-2009 Financial Crisis
Webinar with Michael Swack
Update: Please click here to access the audio recording of the webinar as well as the PowerPoint presentation.
December 2nd, 2010 2 pm – 3 pm
Michael Swack is a Professor at the University of New Hampshire where he has appointments at the Carsey Institute and the Whittemore School of Business and Economics. He is convener of the Financial Innovations Roundtable (FIR) that he describes as “not only a think tank, but a “think-do” tank. Some of the most successful ideas developed at the FIR have been implemented, resulting in new tools, policies and practices that have resulted in millions of dollars being directed into investments in affordable housing, small and minority businesses, community facilities and other community development efforts.” Michael will bring insights from his new book, Capital Markets, CDFIs, and Organizational Credit Risk.
Frances Abele joins Dale Goldhawk on a panel considering the current implications of the historic relationship between aboriginal people and the state. Click here for more...
From Carleton University's This Month in Research...
Two Carleton researchers launched new research about Canada's North today at an event in Yellowknife. In the latest publication of How Ottawa Spends 2011-12, Professor Frances Abele and PhD candidate Nick Falvo have separate chapters looking at the federal government's northern strategy and its implications for housing in the Northwest Territories. Use it or Lose … more
NunatsiaqOnline 2011-11-24: NEWS: Kuujjuaq workshop fleshes out Canadian Arctic university concept
The Baffin Environmental Assessment Community Engagement Network is a partnership between communities in Nunavut's Baffin Island region and researchers from Carleton University. The initiative will link the environmental/academic goals with the media/practical needs of the communities.
What does the future hold for Canada's First Nations?
On December 21, 2010, Frances Abele joined Tom Flanagan in a Globe and Mail--hosted live discussion. Their topic, the Future of First Nations, was one of eight "discussions Canada needs to have" chosen by Globe Catalysts and readers. Please click here to access the discussion.
OPINION: NORTHERN STRATEGY THE HILL TIMES, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2010 37 Time for aboriginal, territorial and feds to focus on nurturing a culture of cooperation in North For the better part of 30 years, legal tactics and political manoeuvres have dominated the North. It’s time to change that. By Frances Abele... click here for more
10 reasons why credit unions are worth a look.
Please click here to access the Toronto Star article on credit unions that cites Michele Tarsilla's research on loan impacts.
Staking The Claim fills a gap in learning resources about Inuit land claims for students across Canada. Please click here to view the article in The First Perspective, Drum News
Five Questions with Ted Jackson... Please click here to access the edited interview with Adrienne Ascah of 24 Hours Ottawa.
Jarratt Best and Rise and Flow summer day camp for underpriviledged youth are profiled in Carleton Now. Jarratt has been funded through 3ci to expand and replicate the camp in other locations.
REALpac presents 3ci Working Paper "Responsible Property Investing in Canada, Factoring both Environmental and Social Impacts in the Canadian Real Estate Market" Please click here...
On June 5th 2009, 3ci was awarded a major three-year Trillium Foundation Grant of $300,000 as part of Province wide consortium to advance Social Finance in Ontario. 3ci will partner with the Causeway Social Finance Initiative based at MARS, Toronto to advance this work. Please see the Ottawa Citizen article >>
May 27, 2009 MONTREAL - The Institute for Research on Public Policy is releasing Northern Exposure: Peoples, Powers and Prospects in Canada's North co-edited by Frances Abele, Thomas J. Courchene, F. Leslie Seidle and France St-Hilaire, the fourth volume in its Art of the State series. The result of a two-year, multidisciplinary research program, this wide-ranging collection explores the themes of Arctic sovereignty, climate change, science policy, Aboriginal and public governance, economic development, human capital and education, and northern policy in Canada, always with a focus on the views and perspectives of northerners.
Pension funds with big property investments may also be considering responsible-contractor policies after a study released in January by Tessa Hebb of the Carleton Centre for Community Innovation.
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