A multidisciplinary approach to Climate Risk Fully online • Learn at your own pace Now accepting applications for Graduate Diploma (Fall 2024) Apply Now!
uwo.ca/climate-risk
February • 2024
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Climate Risk: Predicting the Unpredictable The undeniable impacts and looming threats of rapidly accelerating climate change demand unwavering action. Losses due to extreme weather, including floods, high winds, hail storms, and fire, have been growing at an alarming rate across the globe. A recent report published by the Swiss Re Institute predicted that with the current global warming trajectory, by 2050, the economic losses due to climate change could be up to 10 per cent of the total global economic value. As more countries and businesses declare a climate emergency and commit to achieving net-zero emissions, the call for ‘climate intelligence’ and well-rounded professionals with expertise in climate change science, policy, and management is reaching new heights. Western University has stepped up to answer this call. Canada’s leading university in sustainability is embracing a new era of climate readiness with a first-of-its-kind graduate diploma: the GDip in Climate Risk Assessment and Opportunity,
a collaboration between the Faculties of Engineering, Science and Social Science, along with the prestigious Ivey Business School. This innovative new program empowers learners to delve deep into their chosen specialization, whether engineering, business, science, or social science. Each of these specializations plays an important role in the fight against climate change: the business concentration equips working professionals in a wide range of sectors with decision-making frameworks and tools to identify, assess, and mitigate risks in a business context; engineering provides methods to conduct climate risk assessments for infrastructure and building design; science addresses sustainability and the environment using integrated scientific knowledge, and social science addresses climate risk governance and adaptation strategies. The training includes an integrated perspective showing how all specializations work together in climate risk assessment, adaptation, and mitigation. The program is driven by Western University's leading
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experts in climate risk and climate change. It is the first multidisciplinary climate risk graduate program in Canada and is offered fully online. “The risk associated with climate change is one of the most critical challenges we are facing today,” says Kamran Siddiqui, Western University’s vice-provost (graduate and postdoctoral studies).
“This unique multidisciplinary program will develop a new generation of professionals who can plan for risks imposed by climate change to mitigate its impact on business, industry, and our communities.” The graduate diploma is designed to guide learners through the uncertainty of climate change and to predict the unpredictable.
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“The unpredictable nature of future climate change requires consideration of a risk-based approach,” says Siddiqui. “But we know that past climate indicators and data will no longer represent a stationary system that will prepare our infrastructure, economy and society at large for climate change.” Students will be required to complete a total of four courses to earn the diploma. These include an introductory course, where they will learn how the fields of Engineering, Science, Social Science, and Business work together to tackle the larger problem of climate risk and climate change. The Climate Risk Assessment and Opportunity graduate diploma will attract recent graduates and working professionals who are looking to develop their skills in an area that is quickly becoming a priority for employers across the globe. Enroll in this ground-breaking graduate program in climate risk assessment. Learn more and apply at uwo.ca/climate-risk
Supporting Access to Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities Every child has the right to education, but children with disabilities in low and lower middle-income countries are less likely to have access to education than children without disabilities. In Kenya, evidence shows that there is a lack of quality early childhood education for children with disabilities aged three to five. Working towards solving this problem, Sightsavers launched their Inclusive Early Childhood Development and Education project (ECDE) in partnership with Humanity & Inclusion, Sense International, the Institute of Development Studies, United Disabled Persons of Kenya, and government partners. The twoyear project reached marginalized communities in Homa Bay County and Kakuma Refugee Camp, with a focus on children from rural areas and refugees. The program brought together experts, educators, communities, and organizations of persons with disabilities to show that affordable, contextually appropriate
At Kakuma Refugee Camp, Susan witnessed firsthand the impact a program like this can make.
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inclusive education practices are effective in improving outcomes for children with disabilities. As a result, the program has been able to help almost 600 children with disabilities in Homabay and Turkana counties access inclusive early-years education. Similarly, the program helped to train 70 teachers, school managers, and
education officials in disability inclusion and how to support learners with different needs. The program, having proved successful in how many children it’s been able to support, has also received accolades, receiving the Zero Project award for their Inclusive Futures education work.
how they are interacting with the others and so as they go through this training, they are seeing that their learners are getting an SUSAN’S STORY education. Some of them are coming throughout to see the Susan is a head teacher in a project school in Kakuma progress of their children. We’ve refugee camp. trained almost 75 parents, and now, those parents are sharing this “Being a headteacher in a refugee school has a lot of information to the community challenges—we have a population so other communities now know in the school where the learners more about inclusive education. can be 200 in a class. Secondly, we “We have made a lot of also have a scarcity of water here. changes in my school. We When we don’t have water, the have an accessible latrine, that learners don’t come to school. is helping my learners with “We have received a lot of disabilities. At the entry gate training through the project on to the school, they have made inclusive education. Inclusive ramps. They’ve drawn pictures to education means including a welcome learners. We also have child with a disability and a new pathways in my school to child without, and they learn show where the direction of the together. You equalize them, classes is, where the direction of there’s no discrimination, you the latrines is, where the offices see them as a learner, and you are. It’s now the best school serve them equally. amongst ECDE schools in the “We also support parents camp set up. It’s very beautiful through training—we show them and attractive and my learners what inclusive education is, how are growing very well—they the learners are enjoying the class, enjoy the environment.” ADVERTORIAL
Business in the Streets is Shaping Canada's Next Generation of Entrepreneurs With Canada's aging population, the torch of economic leadership is passing to the next generation— and in the rapidly evolving business world, access to quality training and mentorship is paramount for young entrepreneurs looking to make their mark. How can these future business leaders get the skills they need to take up the mantle? The answer comes in the form of Business in the Streets (BITS), a Canadian charity that provides underserved and underrepresented young people access to top-tier business training, mentorship, funding, and ongoing business support. BITS equips young people with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed in this dynamic environment. Their vision is a Canada where every young person, regardless of their circumstances, believes in the potential of their ideas. MENTORSHIP THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE What makes the BITS method so effective is its network of mentors and industry experts who provide ongoing support, guidance, and constructive feedback.
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In the last decade alone, BITS has made an impressive impact: the organization has served over 1,000 young people and provided over 10,000 hours of mentorship, leading to $500,000 in startup and growth capital facilitated and an impressive 850 program graduates. This invaluable resource enables young entrepreneurs to navigate challenges and seize opportunities, setting them on a path to sustainable success—it’s not just the building blocks to a thriving business; it’s an enduring community of support.
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A LASTING IMPACT “BITS understands that failure is just a stepping stone to growth and discovery,” said BITS' Executive Director, Kyle Monczak. “At BITS, students learn this lesson through real-world action like gathering feedback from potential customers, pitching their ideas, and even making their first sales.” This approach equips young participants with the skills and mindset needed to succeed in any environment. However, some obstacles, like funding, need to be addressed directly. That's why BITS offers
various funding options, including grants, loans, and scholarships, giving entrepreneurs the runway they need to take off. Take Richard Porras, founder of Real Empanada Co., for example. While pitching his business at BITS, Richard was introduced to David Mendez, commercial account manager at RBC. David was inspired by Richard’s business, which sold empanadas using his Abuela’s authentic Columbian recipe. With David’s support, Richard accessed $100,000 through the Canadian Small
Business Financing program, a program that had previously denied Richard. As a result, Richard opened his first storefront and now has two locations in Toronto. BITS offers two distinct programs. Youth Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (YCEO) is ideal for those with a budding business idea seeking guidance on how to validate it, while the Boot Camp is designed for entrepreneurs with a tested business idea and consistent sales over the past three months or more, aiming to develop an actionable business plan. Impact is not just a buzzword for BITS; it's a core principle. Through practical virtual business training, mentorship, and community support, BITS is forging a brighter future for the next generation of leaders and innovators. This spring, make an impact on the lives of youth in your community! Learn more about becoming a participant, mentor, or Pitch Day Judge, and support the business leaders of tomorrow at businessinthestreets.com
