Warning: Undefined array key "HTTP_REFERER" in /homepages/6/d125890587/htdocs/Client/HuffStrategy/MediaManager/ReadRelease.php on line 34
Canadian Journalism schools ranked on environmental and social sustainability - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

Canadian Journalism schools ranked on environmental and social sustainability

Jul 2nd, 2008 4:10 AM

Canadian Journalism schools ranked on environmental and social sustainability (Toronto, Canada, July 2, 2008) Today, Corporate Knights Magazine unveils the fifth-annual Knight Schools ranking. The ranking analyzes how Canadian universities fare in integrating sustainability into the school experience. In reviewing undergraduate journalism programs, the researchers adopted a broad definition of sustainability that encompassed environmental and social concerns. Issues of freedom of speech, social justice, human rights, professional ethics, cultural diversity, and conservation were considered. The survey, modeled after the US-based Beyond Grey Pinstripes Survey, scored the programs in the areas of institutional support, student initiatives, and course work. Of the 11 schools surveyed, seven have at least one core course entirely dedicated to sustainability. As the environment heats up as a burgeoning topic of interest for the public, it is important that tomorrow’s journalists are well trained to cope with new questions and concepts that deal with creating a sustainable society. In our study of student writing in university publications, many budding journalists are already investigating these issues. Corporate Knights found that many journalism students were keeping a critical eye on environmental and social concerns. The inquiring minds offered us candid and thought-provoking opinions about the role of sustainability in their schools. “We noticed a lot of changes in how schools are treating sustainability,” says Monika Warzecha, Chief Researcher of the Knight Schools ranking. “New programs are springing up in many different fields. Students are demanding these courses and starting their own projects outside the classroom.” The full results and methodology of the Ranking are available at http://www.corporateknights.ca/special-reports/68-knight-school-guide.html and are summarized in the Best 50/Eduction issue (Vol. 7.1) of Corporate Knights, distributed in the Globe and Mail on June 30 in Eastern Canada and July 7 in Western Canada. Corporate Knights received support from Industry Canada in conducting the Journalism surveys. A full report was prepared which is available to media only by emailing info@corporateknights.ca. Journalism (out of 9 schools) 1. Ryerson University: 46.0% 2. Carleton University: 43.4% 3. Wilfrid Laurier University: 39.1% 4. University of Regina: 22.8% 5. Thompson Rivers University: 19.8% -30- To schedule interviews contact: Jonathan Laderoute, e|c|o, 416-972-7401, laderoutej(a)huffstrategy.com Founded in 2002, Corporate Knights Inc. is an independent Canadian-based media company focused on promoting and reinforcing sustainable development in Canada.