Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all
Research
Human Rights Violations and Protections Research Cluster
Members of this research cluster, many of whom are from the Faculty of Arts, are focused on understanding the topic’s international and comparative political dynamics. Significant violations of human rights arise from large-scale processes and major crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and have implications for national, regional and global political systems. Despite their limitations, efforts within each of these systems to prevent, limit and punish such violations have given hope to both human rights advocates and victims of abuse. Learn more.
Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre
The mission of this UCalgary center is to promote respect for civil liberties and human rights in Alberta. This is achieved by undertaking research on contemporary civil liberties and human rights issues that are of concern to Albertans. The projects are diverse and include proposals for reform of human rights legislation, a report on citizen complaints about police conduct, as well as a manual for lawyers who represent mentally disabled clients. Learn more.
Teaching, Learning and Student Experience
Harm Reduction Training
Open to current UCalgary students, faculty and staff, this training provides tools to reduce stigma towards people who use substances. Training attendees will learn strategies for reducing harms related to substance abuse, and how to recognize and respond to overdose. Learn more.
Scholarship Supports Economic Equality and Social Justice
Introduced in 2019, the Yvonne A. Stanford Graduate Scholarship for Economic Equality supports graduate students endeavouring to pursue a degree in social policy change and social justice. This award inspires the next generation of ‘troublemakers’ fighting to change the world for the better. Learn more.
Canadian Municipal Barometer Project
A Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Partnership Development Grant is funding the Canadian Municipal Barometer project - a three-year survey of leaders in hundreds of communities across the country that will generate high-quality data on municipal democracy and public policy.
Campus and Community Impact
Campus
UCalgary has a Sexual Violence Policy, which addresses all members of the university community — academic staff, employees, postdoctoral scholars, students, contractors and volunteers — with an aim to promote a learning, working and living environment that is free from sexual violence. UCalgary is committed to creating a safe and inclusive campus environment for everyone, so if you are ever in need of support, you can get in touch with a sexual violence support advisor.
Local
UCalgary Law is home to several low-cost or pro bono legal clinics, offering help to the Calgary community while giving Law students valuable learning experiences. Their services include free legal advice, representation and tax dispute information for low-income residents, legal advice for entrepreneurs, or information for anyone wanting to change the system in environmental areas.
International
As part of Alumni Month, UCalgary’s Faculties of Law and Social Work hosted a webinar to consider what a new approach to policing might look like and how a reimagined police force could lead to better outcomes while helping end systemic racism in the justice system.