LIVABLE CITIES, COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITIES

At its core post-secondary education is about wrestling with what it means to live sustainably in community.

To better understand the common challenges we face, to identify the impact of our existing approaches to address those challenges, and to expand and enhance our collective best practices moving forward.As a publicly funded institution engaged in developing the skills and abilities of individuals that assist them in achieving their own professional or educational aspirations.

We understand fully the implicit social contract that calls on us to bring those skills and abilities to bear for the betterment of our communities and society more broadly. We are excited to be able to support many students in being able to join this conference, to roll up their sleeves, and to come together with other folks to do the hard work of building the more equitable and more sustainable communities we collectively desire.

The Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics connects the BC Interior to the world through experiential education and high-quality research.

We prepare students to excel as socially and environmentally responsible leaders, both in their workplaces and in their communities. But even tomorrow’s leaders cannot do it alone.

We must work together to address the challenges of our times and to build a sustainable future for everyone. Livable Cities, Collaborative Communities (LCCC) calls together bright minds and changemakers from our region to seek solutions to the issues that our communities face. The conference acts as a catalyst for thought exchange, collaboration and action, moving us one powerful step closer toward a brighter future for all.

Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics is focused on student success and encouraging students to engage with the most pressing issues of our time, including climate change and sustainable economic development.

Faculty and students in the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics are conducting research that impacts society and is relevant to the region, British Columbia and beyond; they are collaborating with community groups to solve problems because working together gives us perspective and the opportunity to engage with our community stakeholders. The world is changing and it is important that we prepare students to lead the next wave of socially and environmentally responsible organizations.

This is a collective effort of faculty members, staff and students to boost land-based learning and research across TRU. Our aim is to grow and enrich those opportunities: in collaboration with First Nations and other communities; among faculties and departments; across disciplines; and engaging diverse ways of knowing, thinking and being. This conference underscores the importance of building such conversations with our regional neighbours and we are pleased to support student participation. "Sustainability" is the base capacity of our world to persist and thrive ... in that sense it is everything. There is no "PlanetB", so ensuring a vibrant healthy future for the generations to come involves everyone.

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On behalf of the team at the TRU Sustainability Office, we are delighted to be a sponsor of this very important conference.

Regarding becoming a truly sustainable society we all know there is still so much work to do, which is why conferences like this are, and will continue to be, important for many years to come.

The trend is for cities to continue to grow around the world, and so figuring out how we’re all going to live harmoniously within cities and the surrounding environment is more important than ever. ‘Community’ is all about relationships, and not only relationships with each other but with all other parts that make up life on Earth a healthy experience, such as animals, land, water and air. We are all connected.

At Stantec our vision is to create a future where infrastructure gives back, water is protected, natural systems are valued, biodiversity is prioritized ..., economies are circular, nothing gets wasted, development is responsible, everyone can access renewable energy, and society is just.

Making our cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable is an important goal within this broad vision and one which requires an integrated approach to achieve. We don’t approach any challenge from one perspective, and we need to draw on multidisciplinary experts to solve these challenges together. The Livable Cities, Collaborative Communities Conference supports the sharing of diverse perspectives toward achieving this important goal.

Sustainability permeates the ethos of Thompson Rivers University as evidenced by its explicit integration into the institution's Mission, Vision, and Values. TRU's Mission underscores its commitment to being a "sustainable university," emphasizing its dedication to serving learners and their communities while maintaining ecological balance and resource longevity.

The Vision statement, highlighted by the Secwépemc word Kw’seltktnéws (we are all related and interconnected with nature, each other, and all things), emphasizes the broad relationship with nature, reflecting a deep-rooted sustainability focus. Moreover, TRU’s four main Values explicitly articulate sustainability as a core principle, emphasizing respect for the land, knowledge, and diverse peoples, along with a commitment to inclusive practices (1) and community-mindedness (2).

This commitment extends to embracing curiosity and innovation (3) while ensuring responsible stewardship of resources for the well-being of present and future generations. TRU's holistic approach to sustainability underscores its role not just as an educational institution, but as a community leader in fostering a long-term sustainable future for all (4).