We are inviting you to visit currently upgraded website (http://ucpsarnet.iglooprojectsd.org) of the University-Community Partnership for Social Action Research Network (UCP-SARnet).
UCP-SARnet has been developed at the ASU Department of Psychology in close collaboration with partners from Australia, Canada, England, Italy and Poland. Hosted by the Center for International Governance Innovations (CIGI) in Canada, UCP-SARnet is represented at the Global Alliance for Community Engaged Research (GACER), and at the Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID).
The focus of our network is on utilizing ICT in providing educational resources for current and future leaders who are involved in achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. We bring together students, teachers, community professionals, and activists worldwide (currently we have about 900 members in 61 countries) by creating opportunities for networking, collaboration, sharing knowledge and by inspiring community action research
During the last year the network has made a significant progress by increasing its membership to about 900 members from 61 countries, initiating collaboration with several universities and community organizations in India and China, organizing a virtual meeting “Bridging the World” with participation of community organizations from 16 countries, and by developing a professional development training workshops for community leaders (it will be offered internationally this fall.) The network is also present on various social networks like Facebook, TakingItGlobal, Ning, Twitter, Flickr, You Tube and Life Journal.
This year UCP-SARnet is planning to expand knowledge partnerships with globally involved organizations with missions and programs that overlap with the mission of UCP-SARnet, as well as invite community organizations involved in realization of UN Millennium Development Goals to join the network as organizational members. We would be grateful for contacting us with the organizations that in your opinion would be interested in collaboration with our network.
From the last two years ASU Psychology Department has been offering several courses based on UCP-SARnet platform: Introduction to Community Research and Action, Community Psychology, Multicultural Perspective on Community Leadership, and related to the development of the network a course for Undergraduate Research Assistants. Students who are in a need of an internship and are interested in global networking and global issues are welcome to join our Executive Team, learn team building skills and get a unique experience related to the development of a global online community. We can accept up to 10 students for the fall semester 2010 (this internship is not paid.)
We also invite collaboration on two projects that we are promoting this year. One is the second virtual meeting ”Bridging the World” that will take place on May 25 – 26, 2010. The event is organized as a successful conclusion to the ‘World Academy for the Future of Women’ , a program created SIAS International University in China in collaboration with UCP-SARnet .
The World Academy is a bold and rigorous leadership training program for 100 female students committed to acquiring skills and confidence to develop as campus, community, national, or global leaders. The yearlong certification program engaged participants in discovering their purpose and passion in life and also inspired, informed, and instructed them to find their individual paths to success. Through dialogue, interactive activities, and curriculum facilitated by 10 successful business women from the USA, participants have been prepared for leadership roles in the new economy as global citizens.
We would like to close this program with a multicultural dialog about the battle for gender equality and women’s contributions to the community at large in different cultural, social, and political contexts. Therefore we would be extremely grateful for contacting us if you feel that you could contribute to this dialog by sharing your experience in this area. If you are interested in participation in this meeting please contact Dr. Marek Wosinski at dr.marek@asu.edu.
We are also looking for faculty members, graduate and undergraduate students who would be interested in participation in another project promoted by UCP-SARnet, namely building a Gandhi College of Social Work in Bhitiarwa Ashram, West Champaran, Bihar, India. The goal of the project is to create a workable and replicable innovative institution of higher education producing social workers that will not only provide students with adequate theoretical knowledge but also with a community based in-service training that is aimed on changing the community itself. The project is coordinated by the AASRA Charitable Trust, and build with the support of local community, local government and the School of Social Work at the Indira Gandhi National Open University.
UCP-SARnet is helping to provide international support for this initiative, as well as to organize an international team that would be willing to be a part of participatory research project on the development and impact of this college. Our plan is to enroll first class of students already in August 2010. At this point we are looking for faculty members who would be interested in participation in this research project, serve as consultants on the development of the curriculum and in-service part of the program, or in teaching there for certain amount of time. We are also looking for graduate and undergraduate students interested in coming to Bihar as volunteers and help with implementation of this project. If you are interested in any form of participation, please contact Birendra Kumar at ucpsarnet@gmail.com
Of course, UCP-SARnet welcomed new members, so please CONTACT US if you are interested in joining our emerging global community.
