Canadian Conference on Homelessness first to bring together
researchers, policy makers and homeless
TORONTO, May 13, 2005 -- York University is hosting a conference that will bring together researchers, policy makers, service providers and those directly affected by homelessness, in a unique, collaborative approach to Canada’s homelessness crisis.
The Canadian Conference on Homelessness (May 17-20, 2005) will bring more than 800 participants to York from across Canada, in order to find ways to make research on homelessness resonate in the real world. It is the first national conference of its kind.
The conference has been planned and organized by a unique partnership that includes York, the City of Toronto, University of Guelph, Street Health, Sherbourne Health Centre, Aboriginal Legal Services, St. Michael’s Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Centre and Centre medico-social communautaire.
”We’re really hoping to bring research to bear on the issue of homelessness, by inviting many homeless people who will be contributors in what is truly a cross-sectoral conference,” said York professor and conference organizer Stephen Gaetz. “Academics often conduct research on marginalized groups, who never see the results of that research. We’re seeking to break down that barrier.”
Stan Shapson, York's Vice-President Research & Innovation, said, "York's collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to research allows us to develop innovative, real-world solutions to pressing urban challenges such as homelessness."
The conference at York aims to establish an infrastructure for research and action on homelessness across Canada, in order to move towards effective long-term solutions. Among the participants will be people who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless, as well as community organizations, service providers, policy makers, and academics. Researchers from a number of countries will offer international insights.
The conference was planned and developed in consultation with homeless people, and provides subsidies allowing them to attend and make presentations. Employment opportunities will also be offered within the conference itself.
Sessions will explore issues surrounding housing, employment, education, mental and physical health, and diversity. Topics to be addressed by speakers include: making the connection between research, policy and practice; housing and homelessness; risk factors and behaviours; and international perspectives on homelessness.
Funding for the Canadian Conference on Homelessness is provided under the Government of Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative (NHI) and by the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation).
WHAT: Canadian Conference on Homelessness
WHEN: May 17-20, 2005
WHERE: York University
Keele Campus
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, ON
FOR MORE INFO: Stephen Gaetz, Associate Professor, Faculty of Education;
Chair, Conference Organizing Committee
416-736-2100 x20050 / sgaetz@edu.yorku.ca
Visit www.homeless.yorku.ca for full agenda
MEDIA CONTACT: Melissa Hughes, Media Relations, York University
416-736-2100 x22097 / mehughes@yorku.ca
York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 180,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 10 faculties and 21 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges.
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