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Next Generation Sustainability & CSR Practices Essential Ingredients of CSR/Sustainability Graduate Certificate, St. Michael’s College in University of Toronto

Next Generation Sustainability & CSR Practices Essential Ingredients of CSR/Sustainability Graduate Certificate, St. Michael’s College in University of Toronto

Published 08-01-16

Submitted by University of St. Michael's College

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On October 19-21, 2016 , University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto will launch its 16th year of the Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability with a twist. “Next Generation Practices and the principles of social and environmental justice are actively embedded into the program,” notes Dr. Mimi Marrocco, Faculty Leader. “Our Business Advisory Committee and recent core competency research ensures our program is relevant, experiential and focused on preparing CSR/Sustainability professionals with the competencies they need to build a flourishing world.”

About the Graduate Certificate in CSR/Sustainability

The Certificate in CSR/Sustainability is taking applications now for 2016/2017. Module 1 will be held in Toronto, Canada, October 19-21, 2016. Module 2 and 3 will be held May, 2017 and November, 2017 respectively. To apply, go to the Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability Website. See the program schedule, past graduates and news about the program. Application Deadline is September 1, 2016.

Participants can work full time while earning this professional post graduate university credential for CSR and Sustainability through a blending learning approach. Participants:

  • tackle and resolve a CSR/Sustainability challenge in their company in a major Action Project under the mentorship of faculty and co-learners;

  • learn Next Generation Practices from global thought leaders on the forefront of Sustainability and CSR;

  • use practical tools to assess, measure and integrate CSR and Sustainability into their organization;

  • experience the practical real world application of CSR and change management through ExperienceChangeTM Simulations; and

  • join a prestigious community of St. Michael's Alumni in continuing education, sharing and networking.

Next Generation CSR/Sustainability Practices

New Next Generation Practices include Transformational Company research, the Embedding Project and Change Management Simulations applied to CSR/Sustainability implementation. Another recent addition is the creation of learning and practice modules for the International Society of Sustainability Professionals ISSP-SA and ISSP-CSP Certification exams. The University of St. Michael’s College was one of the first post-secondary institutions to support the ISSP’s Certification process.

The 13 month program is delivered in three on-site sessions (October, May, November) for a total of 11 days in Toronto. In between sessions, participants complete assignments, online learning modules and participate in Next Generation Practice Alumni Webinars, where graduates share their stories of CSR/Sustainability implementation. The culminating Action Project is a 9 month assignment chosen by the participant relating to their workplace or personal development. Mary Ann Sayers, retired Director Corporate Sustainability & Community Relations, Ricoh Canada Inc. said, “This program coached and mentored me through the creation of a company specific strategy. It allowed our company to build internal capacity, rather than bring in external resources.”

Recent Sustainability/CSR Core Competency Research assisted the University’s CSR/Sustainability Business Advisory Committee with choosing Next Generation Practices. One survey indicated that 53% of Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility professionals didn't know what they needed to know to be credible in the field. Various tools have been developed by St. Michael’s to help CSR/Sustainability Professionals create a learning plan (See infographic).

Applications for the program are currently being accepted through September 1st. To apply, please go to the Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability Website. Application Deadline is September 1, 2016.

About the University of St. Michael’s College

The University of St. Michael’s College (USMC), federated with the University of Toronto, is a Catholic institution of higher learning founded by the Congregation of St. Basil, whose motto, “Teach me goodness, discipline and knowledge,” sets the tone for campus life. St. Michael’s was expanded through cooperation with the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Sisters of Loretto. Committed to the pursuit of knowledge, meaning and truth, USMC is a dynamic centre where the Catholic intellectual tradition thrives in a context of academic freedom and rigorous debate. As such, it seeks to provide an environment that fosters the intellectual, moral and spiritual development of its members. Rooted in a tradition of commitment to personal and social justice, the Certificate Program in Corporate Social Responsibility has been offered at the University for over 15 years.

The Advisory Committee is made up of CSR/Sustainability Leaders from a broad range of industries from insurance to mining, including: Co-operators, Farm Credit Canada, Atlantic Lottery, Ricoh Canada, Scotia Bank (ret.), Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, Centerra Gold, Enbridge, Conference Board of Canada, Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto). 

University of St. Michael's College Logo

University of St. Michael's College

University of St. Michael's College

St. Michael’s is a recognized leader in undergraduate, graduate and lifelong education. Its highly acclaimed Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility is a unique executive education program developed in collaboration with the Conference Board of Canada. Founded over 150 years ago, the University of St. Michael's College is federated with the University of Toronto. Its faculty bring to current CSR issues the understandings that they have gained not only from the perspective of business but also from a tradition that includes the study of literature, philosophy and ethics. The goal of the program is to engage participants in a process of weaving together the major strands of CSR in a way that provides a time out from customary corporate activity. Alumni have called the result "transformational". Since 2003 St. Michael's has collaborated with an innovative technology company, ExperiencePoint to produce and distribute ExperienceCSR, a web based business simulation . In the simulation, which is offered as part of the Certificate program, participants advise a multinational technology firm on revising its corporate strategy to meet a myriad of critical environmental, community, employee relations, human rights and financial objectives. Through the application of sound CSR principles, participants help the corporation align its operations to its articulated values and, consequently, satisfy stakeholder interests and ensure long-term profitability. (www.experiencepoint.com)

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