Ukrainians visit to study development

 

Ten professors from two universities in Ukraine are visiting Concordia this summer to study the way Canadians teach community development.

The Ukrainians, who are from Uzhhorod National University and Cherkasy State Technological University, are taking courses at Concordia’s School of Community and Public Affairs, on Mackay St.

They will visits to sites in Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City. Next summer they will take more courses and do internships in Montreal.

Tony Berezowecki, project manager, explained the genesis of the program.

“This began several years ago through contacts with the programs of Concordia’s Institute in Management and Community Development.

“The Ukraine manager of our Civil Society Community Roots Project took part in the Institute’s popular annual summer program, which attracts community development practitioners from all over the world.

“We were also highly impressed by the graduate program in Community Economic Development (CED) offered by the School of Community and Public Affairs.”

The Ukrainians liked the approach of the SCPA program, whose close attention to the economic and social issues faced by ordinary people are similar to the CED project.

The visitors, who will be in Montreal until Aug. 19, will use their new expertise to design courses on the subject for their universities.

They will share their experiences with other organizations in Ukraine, particularly in three regions where local citizens have expressed a strong desire to improve their living conditions.

The Community Economic Development Project - Ukraine is managed by the Canadian Bureau of International Education, and financed by the Canadian International Development Agency.