Building Resilient Communities

Building Resilient Communities

All individuals and societies face challenges – be they environmental, economic, cultural or social – and must respond to change. How each prepares for and responses to these challenges is often as important as the solution that is implemented. Resilient communities recognize the importance of addressing issues of sustainability, inclusion, social justice and equity as they strive to create solutions.

Developing effective preparation and response mechanisms requires an approach that focuses on the role of communities in building local, national, and ultimately global resilience. The Coady Institute’s approach starts with ordinary citizens and their local organizations and aims to acknowledge their existing capacities and potential; strengthen their ability to organize to use these assets to address problems for themselves, see possibilities, seize opportunities within volatile environments, and use their initiative as leverage for external assistance as they require.

Citizen-Led Sustainable Change

Over 150 community development practitioners, policymakers, researchers and funders from the U.S. and Canada met to share insights and explore 11 case studies of successful citizen-led and community-driven developments in both countries during a major forum hosted by StFX’s Extension Department and the Coady International Institute.

The forum, entitled Citizen-Led Sustainable Change: Innovations in North American Community Development, took place June 23-25, 2013, at StFX’s Gerald Schwartz School of Business and the Coady Institute.

Case study authors and community leaders gathered to share best practices among a wide range of development practitioners, researchers and policymakers from across North America, along with intermediaries and funders who support community-driven social and economic innovations.

For more information on the case studies, please click here.

Programs

In these times communities face challenges – be they environmental, economic, cultural or social. Resilient communities are ones that are able  draw on their own resources, assess future impacts, and respond positively while simultaneously addressing issues of sustainability, inclusion, and social justice. Resilient communities thrive by creating their own future well-being by enhancing their abilities to respond to difficulties and leverage the support they need for sustainable change.

The Coady Institute’s education programs are highly participatory courses designed to deepen the understanding and effectiveness of leaders working in these areas. A wide variety of presentation, case study, and experiential and participatory education methods are used in the programs. The programs give leaders the opportunity to share ideas and to exchange experiences with global peers, to benefit from the expertise and field experience of skilled facilitators, and to gain insight and inspiration from innovations and relevant action research from around the world.

Community Led Solutions for Climate Change
Community Led Solutions for Climate Change

June 24 - July 12, 2024June 24 – July 12, 2024 Applications have closed Facilitators: Foezullah Talukder, Mousumi Halder, Marian TurniawanHuman-induced climate change is the most pressing global issue of our time. How humans have historically lived, played, and...

read more
Indigenous Women in Community Leadership
Indigenous Women in Community Leadership

May 1 - October 11, 2024Indigenous Women in Community Leadership (IWCL) 2024May 1 - October 11, 2024 May 1 - 15, 2024: Online Learning Component June 5 - 19, 2024: In-person, 1st Residency, Coady Institute June 20 - September 30, 2024: In-community Engagement...

read more
Towards Decolonial Feminist Leadership
Towards Decolonial Feminist Leadership

Towards Decolonial Feminist LeadershipJanuary 22 - February 2, 2024, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Applications for this program have been closed. Facilitator: Sarika SinhaTowards Decolonial Feminist Leadership is a 10-day course hosted by the Coady Institute in...

read more
Leadership for Young Professionals
Leadership for Young Professionals

January 18 - March 21, 2024January 18 - March 21, 2024 Applications for this program have closed. Facilitators: Addy Strickland and Alaa SalihWe hear about leadership all the time – in the contexts of our workplaces, governments, schools, and communities… but what is...

read more
Action Research for Citizen-led Change
Action Research for Citizen-led Change

Applications for this program have closed. Please check back for future offerings.The process of undertaking research is designed to build knowledge. In almost all types, citizens should be consulted and invited to participate, and they should find some the process...

read more
Adult Education and Learning for Community Development
Adult Education and Learning for Community Development

Adult Education and Learning for Community DevelopmentSeptember 20 – November 14, 2021Application Closed Online Delivery Community development is a significant learning site for people working for social change. Coady International Institute grew from the Antigonish...

read more
Developmental Evaluation for Social Impact
Developmental Evaluation for Social Impact

Developmental Evaluation for Social Impact February 21, 2022 - April 3, 2022Applications for this program are now closed.Online DeliveryThis course is taught from a Canadian perspective for participants from the G20. The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European...

read more
Women’s Leadership for Community Development
Women’s Leadership for Community Development

March 7 – April 22, 2022 Applications for this program are now closed.Local women leaders are dealing with the big issues of our day, especially in addressing persistent and deep-rooted inequalities.  This online program will provide inspiration for women around the...

read more
Research Methods for Social Impact
Research Methods for Social Impact

Applications for this program have closed. Online DeliveryThis course is taught from a Canadian perspective for participants from the G20. The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union. The 19 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany,...

read more