Equity Roundtable: Community Engaged Learning: Power dynamics working with community partners

Facilitators:
Jennifer Esmail, Director, Centre for Community Partnerships
David J. Roberts, Director of the Urban Studies Program, Associate Professor, Teaching Stream

Community Engaged Learning (CEL), a form of experiential learning, requires thoughtful engagement with communities and community organizations in ways that are different than traditional pedagogical approaches. This workshop will provide you with a framework and concrete approaches for:

• Looking for potential partners
• Building relationships with them
• Identifying and developing student opportunities with your community partners
• Maintaining these relationships over time.

CEL demands an attention to power dynamics, equity issues and historical and contemporary relationships between the University and community. We will provide you with some tools for ethically engaging in community work while highlighting resources for you to continue developing your skills and knowledge.