Mobilizing Partnerships for Social Change

PROGRAM
Who Should Attend Goals & Objectives Agenda & Program Sub-Themes Session Formats	Pre-Conference Workshops Community Site Visits Plenary Speakers Student Volunteers Special Events 10th Anniversary Celebration Featuring a performance by Tony Award-winner Sarah Jones!

Who Should Attend

The conference is expected to draw a diverse group of over 500 participants from across Canada, the U.S. and other countries, reflecting key stakeholders in community-campus partnerships and community-driven social change: including leaders from grassroots, community-based and non-profit organizations, government agencies, philanthropies, professional associations, schools, higher educational institutions and student service organizations. With the conference's emphasis on addressing the root causes of health, social and economic inequalities, we expect participants from across the health, education, human rights and social service sectors who are working in urban, suburban and rural settings.

Conference Goals & Objectives

The conference aims to:

• Mobilize and inspire community-campus partnerships to achieve the systems and policy changes needed to address the root causes of health, social and economic inequalities.
• Disseminate innovative approaches to achieving these systems and policy changes.
• Demonstrate and celebrate the power and potential of community-campus partnerships as vehicles for social change.
• Build the capacity of communities and institutions to engage in authentic partnerships.
• Provide an inclusive and dynamic forum to network, share information and build skills.
• Facilitate participants’ commitment to specific actions they can take to support social change.
• Shape the program and policy agendas of CCPH and co-sponsoring organizations.
• Celebrate CCPH’s first decade while engaging stakeholders in determining future directions.

Through their active involvement in the conference, participants will:

• Develop a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health.
• Create more direct and deliberate links between their work in communities and changes in systems and policies at multiple levels.
• Achieve their most important objective in coming to the conference.
• Commit to concrete and specific actions they will take upon returning home.
• Establish a peer group for continued learning and information sharing.
• Leave the conference energized and motivated!

Conference Sub-Themes

Conference sessions will address one or more of the 4 major sub-themes listed below.

(1) Understanding and Addressing the Social Determinants of Health

“Imagine the health of someone having financial problems, worrying about paying the rent, having no money for fresh fruits or vegetables, living in damp, bug-infested places, being unable to hire someone to watch your kids, holding a lousy job that leave him/her depressed and anxious or being unemployed and upset, having to beg for handouts, having bad teeth because you can’t afford a dentist, having anxiety and fear of not making ends meet….

Imagine also the health of people facing racism… being told vacant apartments just got rented, having your heritage ignored in school books and history texts, being stopped by the police or immigration officers much more often than others, blaming yourself for the bad treatment you get, getting angry for how you are treated, being paid less than you deserve.”

~ Centre for Social Justice, 2006

How do community-campus partnerships understand and address the social determinants of health such as Aboriginal status, early childhood development and education, employment and working conditions, food security, globalization, health services, housing, immigration status, income and its distribution and neighborhood characteristics? How do we understand and address social exclusion as a determinant of health, including racism and ethnocentrism; heterosexism, including homophobia, biphobia and transphobia; ageism; ableism and sexism – within ourselves personally, within our partnerships and at institutional and societal levels? How do we understand and incorporate the contributions of religion, faith and spirituality to health? What are the tools and resources needed to act on what we know?

(2) From Grassroots Movements to Policy Change

“We must work to advance a new generation of policies to achieve economic and social equity from the wisdom, voice, and experience of local constituencies. We are guided by the belief that those closest to the challenges are central to the search for solutions.”

~ Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, PolicyLink
Closing Keynote Speech, CCPH 9th Conference, June 3, 2006

What core competencies are needed to effect change within communities, within organizations and institutions, and within the public policy arena? How do we bridge the gap between our work in communities and changes needed at the policy level? Sessions and posters will build knowledge and skills in advocacy and policy change. For example: Using community-based participatory research to affect public policy, communicating research to policymakers, using principles of social marketing and popular education to change beliefs and behaviors, and so forth.

Sessions and posters may address the systems and policies needed within academic institutions, funding agencies and governments to support their sustained partnerships with communities for social change. For example: Changing faculty review, promotion and tenure systems to recognize and reward community-engaged scholarship, designing “requests for proposals” that ensure funding is shared equitably among partners, developing mechanisms that facilitate meaningful community participation in oversight and decision-making. How do we evolve from community-academic partnerships to community-academic-funder-policymaker partnerships?

(3) Communities as Centers of Learning, Discovery and Engagement

"The knowledge in communities is wide and deep. I may not have a PhD from a university; I earned my PhD on the sidewalk."

~ Loretta Jones, Founding Executive Director, Healthy African American Families II
Opening Keynote Speech, CCPH 9th Conference, May 31, 2006

Intellectual spaces exist outside of colleges, universities and peer-reviewed journals. Communities are hubs for discovering new knowledge, generating and testing theories, translating research into action and sharing innovations. Communities are spaces where people can come together to articulate, investigate and act on social, cultural, and economic issues within the context of their past and present lived experiences. How is community knowledge generated, disseminated and used? How can communities be supported as centers of learning, discovery and engagement? Sessions and posters may demonstrate how communities are reframing what questions are asked and how they are answered, redefining what “counts” as research and evidence, disseminating knowledge, and changing the nature of their relationships with academic institutions, funding agencies and policymakers.

(4) Developing the Science of Community-Based or Practice-Based Evidence

“If we want more evidence-based practice, we need more practice-based evidence”

~ Lawrence Green, CCPH Board Member and Director of Society, Diversity & Disparities Program Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California at San Francisco

If community-based participatory research (CBPR) is to be understood as a legitimate approach to scientific inquiry, a science of community-based or practice-based evidence needs to develop standards that facilitate the generation of local knowledge and the transfer of that knowledge into locally effective interventions. Sessions and posters may address key questions that continue to challenge us in this work. For example:

What kinds of local theory and knowledge strengthen the design of community-based interventions, and how can that knowledge be generated, tested and applied?

• What community-researcher preparation and relationships help to strengthen CBPR, and how can these be achieved?
• How can knowledge generated in one community be generalized to other communities?
• How can we develop ways in which communities can pool and systematize their learning and generate knowledge collectively?
• How can communities make more judicious use of available evidence, theory, professional opinion and indigenous wisdom?
• What is or should be the role of peer review in answering a common critique that CBPR lacks “objectivity?”

Sessions and posters may address these and other questions in a number of ways, including for example by sharing theoretical or conceptual frameworks for discussion and critique, reporting on findings and lessons learned from practical attempts to answer them, describing a problem or challenge and proposing possible solutions, or debating an issue from different vantage points.

Session Formats

CCPH conferences are noted for their emphasis on inclusion, experiential learning and subsequent action. The conference is designed to encourage active participation by all Conference attendees through a variety of session formats and activities, described below:

The deadline for proposals has passed.

*Pre-conference intensive workshops (April 11) are three hours in length, allowing for in-depth examination of a topic. They can be designed and structured a number of ways. They can be instructional sessions, for example, in which presenters teach and discuss particular skills and techniques that accomplish specific learning objectives. They can also be designed as working sessions in which participants work together to achieve a shared goal, such as developing a research agenda, devising a set of principles, or drafting a policy statement.

*Skill-building workshops (April 12, 13 and 14) are instructional sessions in which presenters teach and discuss particular skills and techniques. Workshops accomplish specific learning objectives designed to provide participants with increased competence in an area of importance to the conference theme and goals. They include time to explore how the covered skills and techniques can be applied in the participants' settings. Skill-building workshops are 90 minutes in length.

*Story sessions (April 12, 13 and 14) reflect the genuine and authentic experiences of the presenters. They emphasize the telling of stories that have valuable lessons to share. We especially encourage stories of "what didn't work and why," lessons learned from mistakes and strategies for addressing the challenges discussed. Story sessions are 90 minutes in length.

*Challenges consultation sessions (April 12, 13 and 14) provide an opportunity for presenters to share challenges they are facing and strategies they have used to address them, and engage participants as consultants in devising a broader range of possible solutions. The challenges posed should be likely to be shared by other participants. For example: “How can we leverage the economic assets of our university to create jobs in our local community?”, “How can we successfully prepare students and faculty for community engagement?” or “How can we ensure that community capacity building is central to CBPR?” Challenges consultation sessions are 90 minutes in length.

*Film screening and discussion sessions (April 12, 13 and 14) are designed to feature one or more films on topics related to the conference theme, followed by opportunities for questions, answers and group discussion with the filmmaker(s). Film sessions are 90 minutes in length. In some cases, proposals that share themes or learning objectives may be grouped together into a single session.

*Posters (April 12, 13 and 14) are designed to visually display information and can include the presentation of conceptual frameworks, research or evaluation findings along with their implications for practice, policy or further study. All accepted posters will be displayed on 4 x 8 poster boards in the Poster Hall (no additional audiovisual aids are permitted). The Poster Hall will have regular hours for viewing, including specific times for presenters to stand by their posters and discuss them with participants. Unless otherwise indicated by the submitting presenter, accepted posters will also be considered for a thematic poster session.

*Thematic poster sessions (April 12, 13 and 14): Posters selected for a thematic poster session will be grouped into a set of 4-6 posters that share a common theme or focus. Each poster will be displayed on a 4 x 8 foot poster board (no additional audiovisual aids are permitted). Thematic poster sessions are 90 minutes in length. This timeframe includes 30 minutes for participants to view the posters, 25 minutes for oral summaries by the poster presenters, and 35 minutes for group discussion. An invited moderator facilitates discussion and encourages participants to raise questions and share experiences pertinent to themes raised by the posters.

Community Site Visits are a unique aspect of the CCPH conference and do not complete with other conference programming. Here’s your chance to get out of the hotel and visit innovative community-campus partnerships in Toronto! They provide an opportunity for conference participants to learn in-depth from local partnerships by spending about three hours touring and talking with the partnership's major stakeholders. The site visits represent a variety of definitions of “community,” “campus” and “partnership.” We encourage conference participants to ask questions and engage in constructive dialogue with their site visit hosts about the meaning of these terms and other issues. Site visits are scheduled for Friday, April 13.

Issue Thrash is a 2-part series of sessions that provides participants an opportunity to explore shared issues and challenges, come away with fresh ideas and new strategies to help meet those challenges, and recommend ways that CCPH and other organizations can be supportive. Each 2-part series will be led by prepared facilitators.

Peer and Interest Group Meetings are informal discussions that occur over meals.

Informal Networking Opportunities occur throughout the conference. For example, participants with common interests are encouraged to meet over meals. Sign up sheets and table tents will be provided to help facilitate this.

Community Site Visits

Community Site Visits information can be found here.

Plenary Speakers

	We are delighted to announce that Sylvia Maracle has accepted our invitation to be an opening plenary speaker for CCPH’s 10th anniversary conference. Sylvia Maracle (Skonaganhlh:ra) is a Mohawk from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. She is a member of the Wolf Clan. Ms. Maracle has been involved in Aboriginal Friendship Centres for over 30 years. She has served as the Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) for much of that time. She has also served as the Vice President of the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) and the President of the Native Women's Resource Centre (NWRC). She has also held the position of President of Native Child & Family Services of Toronto (NCFST), and Co-Chair of the City of Toronto Taskforce on Access and Equity. For a full biosketch for Ms. Maracle, please click here.
	We are delighted to announce that Jeff Reading has accepted our invitation to be an opening plenary speaker for CCPH’s 10th anniversary conference. Dr. Reading is the inaugural Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health, based at the University of Victoria. Dr. Reading is a full professor in the Faculty of Human and Social Development and a faculty associate with the Indigenous Governance Program. He was elected as a Fellow into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. As a Fellow, Dr. Reading has achieved recognition of his leadership, creativity, distinctive competencies and commitment to advancing health sciences. For a full biosketch for Dr. Reading, please visit http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/9111.html
	We are delighted to announce that Peggy Shepard has accepted our invitation to be the closing keynote speaker for CCPH’s 10th anniversary conference. Peggy is a Founder and the Executive Director of West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc. (WE ACT). WE ACT, founded in 1988, is New York’s first environmental justice organization created to improve environmental health and quality of life in communities of color. Based in Northern Manhattan, WE ACT advances its mission through research, public education, advocacy, organizing, government accountability, litigation, legislative affairs and sustainable economic development. WE ACT is a nationally recognized organization in the field of community-based participatory research in partnership with the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. Peggy is a co-investigator of the Columbia Children’s Environmental Health Center’s Community Outreach and Translational Research Core and community partner of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Center for Environmental Health In Northern Manhattan at Columbia. She is Principal Investigator on an NIEHS grant to foster communications and partnerships between researchers, clinicians and community on environmental health education and outreach.

Seeking Student Volunteers

We were very pleased to receive an overwhelming number of student volunteers for this year�s conference. The deadline has passed to sign-up as a student volunteer.

Special Events

Exhibit Hall. The conference exhibit hall provides participants with an opportunity to learn about important state, provincial, national & international organizations and programs. Click here to meet our Cosponsors and Exhibitors.

Poster & Exhibit Hall Reception. During the poster & exhibit hall reception, conference participants not only get to meet and talk informally with poster presenters and exhibitors, but they also have the chance to enter into a raffle for some very valuable prizes!

Presentation of the CCPH Annual Award. The CCPH Annual Award recognizes exemplary partnerships between communities and higher educational institutions. The 6th CCPH Annual Award will be presented during the closing session of the conference.

10th Anniversary Celebration – Friday April 13

Support Student & Community Participation in CCPH!

Attending the CCPH Conference? Help raise money by donating items for an auction and raffle to be held during the CCPH 10th Anniversary Celebration on Friday evening, April 13. All funds raised will be used for student and community scholarships to attend future CCPH conferences and workshops. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

How to Donate
If you would like to donate an item, please let us know in advance by completing a Donation Form, found below, and sending your completed form to us via email or fax by Friday April 6. Then, simply drop off your item(s) at the Conference Registration desk at the Hilton Toronto Hotel by 12 noon on Friday, April 13. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law, and you will receive a receipt for tax purposes.

DONATION FORM

Submit your completed form to CCPH by Friday, April 6:
   Email: info@ccph.info
   Fax: (206) 685-6747

Not Sure What to Donate?
We suggest items valued $25 (USD) or more that represent where you are from or a craft or hobby that you're passionate about. For example, if you're from Seattle, you might donate items that reflect the Northwest such as a tote bag with a picture of Mount Rainier on it, a Starbucks gift certificate, a CD featuring local bands, or a uniquely designed umbrella! Or if you have a hobby, quilting or photography for example, you could donate a handmade quilt or a framed photograph.

One more thing to consider… items should be easy to travel with since winners will need to carry items home with them!

Questions? Contact us at ccph3@u.washington.edu or (206) 543-8178.

Sarah Jones “A Right to Care” “A Right to Care” examines the injustice of health disparities through the experiences of nearly a dozen different characters. We are delighted to announce that Tony Award-winning playwright, actor and poet Sarah Jones will be performing her one-woman show “A Right to Care” at the CCPH 10th Anniversary Celebration on Friday April 13 from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm. "A Right to Care" is a one-woman performance piece commissioned by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Written and performed by Sarah Jones, an Obie Award-winning playwright, actor and poet, the work explores the ways in which racial, ethnic and economic health disparities impact people's daily lives. Through Jones' critically acclaimed style of character portrayal, she utilizes the voices of modern America, both female and male, Native American, Black, Latino, Asian, and white to illuminate key public health topics. The performance encompasses a dozen characters that provide poignant testimony to a fictional Congressional committee about their own personal experiences with racial ethnic disparities in health and health care. A proud Queens, New York native, Sarah attended the United Nations International School and Bryn Mawr College where she was the recipient of the Mellon Minority Fellowship, then returned to New York and began writing and competing in poetry slams at the Nuyorican Poets Café. There she developed her first show, Surface Transit, which was presented at The American Place Theatre and PS122. Her next piece, Women Can't Wait! was commissioned by Equality Now to address the human rights of women and girls.  A subsequent commission by the National Immigration Forum yielded Waking the American Dream, the inspiration for Bridge & Tunnel.