The Poverty Studies Summer Institute is a unique study opportunity that brings together students, practitioners and ministry workers into an intimate learning community. Over a 3 week period, participants will engage in active learning and discussion about the causes and impacts of poverty and best practices in how to alleviate and end it. 

The Summer Institute offers courses that respond to the material, social and spiritual dimensions of poverty providing both the knowledge and skill base to work effectively in the practice of poverty reduction. The program will consist of 3 one-week intensive courses which may be eligible for credit for Ambrose University degree programs.

Register for Poverty and Government Policy

Intersections Between Poverty & Government Policy

The course will examine the intersection of social policy and government. Students will discover how governments work, the role of the lobbyist, how a law is formed, how a law is passed, and what happens after the law is passed. The impact of the law, both positive and negative consequences, will be considered. The course will look at current Canadian social programs to determine if they empower people to move out of poverty. It will examine competing theories of anti-poverty and a range of approaches to research on poverty. Consideration will be given to welfare reform and alternative models such as Basic Income and Negative Income Tax. Students will visit the municiple council chambers to observe both council and standing policy committees. Finally, students will consider the structure of a National Poverty strategy. 

BHS 450,  June 11 - 15
Instructor: John Rook

The Poverty Studies Summer Institute is a unique study opportunity that brings together students, practitioners and ministry workers into an intimate learning community. Over a 3 week period, participants will engage in active learning and discussion about the causes and impacts of poverty and best practices in how to alleviate and end it. 

The Summer Institute offers courses that respond to the material, social and spiritual dimensions of poverty providing both the knowledge and skill base to work effectively in the practice of poverty reduction. The program will consist of 3 one-week intensive courses which may be eligible for credit for Ambrose University degree programs.

Register for Sociology of Poverty

Sociology of Poverty

An examination of the social images, constructions, understandings, and experiences of poverty in Canada. It also draws on the sociological perspective to explore the causes of and possible solutions to poverty.

SO 399,  June 11 - 15
Instructor: Kristen Desjarlais-deKlerk

2pm Eastern Time

Cooperation Humboldt exists to develop a solidarity economy across the North Coast. They identify, support and nurture local cooperative economic efforts that help people meet their needs without exploiting or oppressing anyone, without being exploited or oppressed by anyone, and commit to do so in an ecologically sustainable manner.

In this webinar, Cooperation Humboldt co-founder David Cobb will describe their theory of change, their program areas and concrete projects, and how they engage local elections to advance their agenda as a 501(c)(3).

Register for Building a Solidarity Economy

David is a "people's lawyer" who has sued corporate polluters, lobbied elected officials, run for political office himself, and been arrested for non-violent civil disobedience. He believes we must provoke—and win—a peaceful revolution if we are to survive.

David was born in rural Texas and worked as a laborer before going to college and ​then ​law school. He maintained a successful law practice before devoting himself to full-time social change efforts.

In 2002, David ran for Attorney General of Texas, pledging to use the office to revoke the charters of corporations that repeatedly violate health, safety and environmental laws. In 2004, he ran for President of the United States on the Green Party ticket and forced a recount in Ohio that helped launch the Election Integrity movement. 

In 2010 he co-founded Move To Amend, a campaign for a constitutional amendment to abolish the illegitimate, court-created doctrines of "corporate constitutional rights" and "money equals speech." In 2016 he served as the Campaign Manager for Jill Stein's presidential campaign.

In addition to his work at Cooperation Humboldt, he serves as a Fellow for the Liberty Tree Foundation ​where he facilitates "Movement School for Revolutionaries."

1:00pm to 2:00pm Eastern Time

In our fourth of five webinars, our speakers will discuss legacy business conversions into cooperatives and how existing micro-business can work together in cooperative ways.

Register for Legacy Community Businesses

Speakers:

Shevanthi Daniel-Rabkin, Democracy at Work Institute

Soyun Park, Micro Business Network

Facilitators:

Yvonne Yen Liu, Solidarity Research Center
Yvonne is the co-founder and research director of Solidarity Research Center, a worker self-directed nonprofit that advances solidarity economies. She serves on the board of the US Solidarity Economy Network and was named the 2018 Activist-in-Residence Fellow at the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.

Parag Rajendra Khandhar, Asian American Solidarity Economies Project
Parag is a founding principal of Gilmore Khandhar, LLC, a law firm focused on legal, policy, and advocacy tools to advance economic justice, racial equity, and social transformation. He teaches at George Washington University Law School. Parag co-founded Baltimore Activating Solidarity Economies (BASE) and the Asian American Solidarity Economies Network (AASE).

The Poverty Studies Summer Institute is a unique study opportunity that brings together students, practitioners and ministry workers into an intimate learning community. Over a 3 week period, participants will engage in active learning and discussion about the causes and impacts of poverty and best practices in how to alleviate and end it. 

The Summer Institute offers courses that respond to the material, social and spiritual dimensions of poverty providing both the knowledge and skill base to work effectively in the practice of poverty reduction. The program will consist of 3 one-week intensive courses which may be eligible for credit for Ambrose University degree programs.

Register for Working with Vulnerable Populations

Working with Vulnerable Populations

This course will focus on basic skills and practice when working with individuals who are vulnerable and/or experiencing homelessness. It will explore the challenges faced by individuals who are vulnerable and homeless, such as lack of education and job skills, poor mental and physical health, and addictions. It will also address the importance of case management , its components, and effectiveness. The course is meant to prepare students interested in working with at-risk persons in this population to provide competent and client-centered help.

PS/DVST 306,  June 4-8 
Instructor: Alma Fourie