Catalyzing the Conversation

The Knowledge Commons social networking site is a virtual space where you can share ideas, find out more information and participate in the on-going conversation about the role of knowledge in Canadian society.

A Starting Point

Two meetings in October 2009 of leaders within the national community-based research (CBR) and community service-learning (CSL) networks, surfaced shared experiences and interests in change that could increase resources, recognition, facilitative structures, and meaningful practices to support community-university partnerships for positive social impact. These two national networks, Community-Based Research Canada (CBRC) and the Canadian Alliance for Community Service-Learning (CACSL), expressed interest in collaborative advocacy to to accelerate the pace of change in the ways knowledge is created, shared and used. In addition, the national Social Innovation Generation (SiG) partnership has an expressed interest and commitment to supporting such an initiative. Together, we have an important starting point to develop a policy advocacy agenda.

In March 2010, representatives from universities, research funding councils, community organizations and the federal and provincial governments met in Victoria to explore the idea further and agreed to plan for a national summit on June 2nd that would continue to bring a broad range of voices together to shape the future of the Knowledge Commons.