CUMU Conference 2019

What is the difference between community relations and community engagement? Where can these two roles collaborate to foster strong, reciprocal relationships between higher education and the communities they serve? Are they really just the same thing?

York University has a long history of Community Engagement initiatives. Very recently, a new Community Relations Unit was formed which necessitated a strategic planning process to guide that work. This raised numerous questions about what community relations means, what the difference is between community relations and community engagement and where the opportunities for collaboration exist. This session will explore these questions as well as the development of the community interaction continuum that looks to answer these queries and ultimately provide a framework to support a coordinated approach between these roles using social justice, equity and inclusion as core values through which to align the work and the benefit of having each of these roles within your institution.