View ArchivesSpotlight: Graduate Diploma in Social Innovation
Today's complex social challenges require the community, public, and private sectors to come together and collaborate to generate new solutions to persistent problems.
The University of Waterloo‘s Diploma in Social Innovation was created by the University in partnership with the Foundation, with the goal of responding to Canada’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. The first offering of the diploma (2011-2012) focused on issues of mental health, aging, and newcomers to Canada. Announced in January 2012, the 2012-2013 program will focus on: Food Systems, Green Technologies and Urban Sustainability.
Using a multi-sectoral platform for innovation, participants in the program:
- Become more creative and sophisticated systems-thinkers
- Learn to better identify, nurture and seize opportunities
- Build a national, cross-sectoral professional network
- Develop strategic skills and ways of thinking
- Effectively address major social challenges
Learn more about the program from its website.
SiG@Waterloo Resources
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Enabling Social Innovation through Developmental Impact Investing
Sean Geobey, Frances Westley, and Olaf Weber -
Working Paper: Pathways to System Change
Frances Westley, Nino Antadze, Darcy J. Riddell, Kirsten Robinson, and Sean Geobey -
Public Sector Policy and Strategies for Facilitating Social Innovation
Michele-Lee Moore and Frances Westley -
Funding Social Innovation: How Do We Know What To Grow?
Nino Antadze and Frances Westley
Explore the Foundation's learning around social innovation through the following Spotlight Highlights.
Spotlight Highlights
Video
May 2010
Scaling Out for Scaling Up: Pathways for System Change
Frances Westley showcases a typology of community sector organizations and offers insights about their methodologies for scaling up.
Report
October 29, 2010
Primer on Social Innovation: A Compendium of Definitions Developed by Organizations around the World
A reference tool to help understand social innovation, social finance, and the vocabulary used to discuss the two. Originally published in The Philanthropist.
Report
November 1, 2010
Patterns, Principles, and Practices in Social Innovation
Explores various dimensions of the field of social innovation and discusses the evidence of its existence and its growth throughout the world. Originally published in The Philanthropist.
Publication
November 2006
Accelerating our Impact: Philanthropy, Innovation and Social Change
Contributes to an emerging body of knowledge and reflective practice on the role of funders in supporting innovation and social change.
Publication
February 2010
On Not Letting a Crisis Go to Waste: An Innovation Agenda for Canada's Community Sector
Explores some of the implications of the economic downturn for Canada’s community sector and argues that new models and approaches are urgently required to ensure the community sector's health and to maintain Canadians’ well-being.
Official Website
Learn more about the Graduate Diploma in Social Innovation and its application process
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