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Two upcoming events hosted by the United Way 91��ɫ Region have a special connection to 91��ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Unit. 

The first is a community forum tomorrow, Nov. 9 to discuss food policy and the development of a food charter for 91��ɫ Region. The second event on Tuesday, Nov. 29, features a community dialogue on pressing social issues facing the region. Members of the 91��ɫ community are invited to both events.

Since September, a knowledge broker placed at the United Way 91��ɫ Region has been working in close partnership with the University's Knowledge Mobilization Unit to enhance opportunities for collaboration in research with respect to social determinants of health. The partnership is the result of a successful application to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research submitted in February 2011. (Knowledge brokers are project staff acting as intermediaries that connect researchers to potential research users.)

“This is a tremendous opportunity to maximize the impact of 91��ɫ research and build on a significant partnership for 91��ɫ in knowledge mobilization,” said Michael Johnny (right), manager of 91��ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit.

The Nov. 9 forum, , hosted by the United Way 91��ɫ Region in collaboration with various partners, will bring together representatives from a number of community organizations to discuss food security and agriculture issues. Participants will also embark on a discussion about establishing a Food Charter for 91��ɫ Region. 

A food charter is a statement of values and principles to guide a community’s food policy, and is a key document for communities working towards developing a food system that is healthy, equitable and sustainable. The organizers of Food for Change are hoping that academic partners from 91��ɫ will attend the event and engage in a dialogue to explore ways that research can inform and support this initiative in both the short and longer term.

On Nov. 29, the United Way 91��ɫ Region will host the , part of a series of community dialogues on pressing social issues in 91��ɫ Region. During the meeting house, participants will explore the implications for social infrastructure development in communities that are facing major population growth. Over the next few months, meeting house dialogues will also be held in Newmarket, Vaughan, Markham and Richmond Hill.

“Working within Canada’s leading knowledge mobilization university, 91��ɫ’s Knowledge Mobilization Unit continues to work together with our partners to make 91��ɫ’s research and talent accessible and relevant to the community,” said Robert Haché, vice-president research & innovation. “This partnership will help facilitate initiatives to improve the quality of life for residents in 91��ɫ Region.”

For more information on knowledge mobilization services at 91��ɫ, or about this partnership, e-mail 91��ɫ's Knowledge Mobilization Unit at kmbunit@yorku.ca.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.