Alberta resilient communities project

This symposium presents papers from the Alberta Resilient Communities Project conducted as a collaborative undertaking with Dr. Julie Drolet (University of Calgary), Dr. Robin Cox (Royal Roads University), and Dr. Caroline... [ view full abstract ]

This symposium presents papers from the Alberta Resilient Communities Project conducted as a collaborative undertaking with Dr. Julie Drolet (University of Calgary), Dr. Robin Cox (Royal Roads University), and Dr. Caroline McDonald-Harker (Mount Royal University) and funded by Alberta Innovates: Health Solutions CRIO Grant. The overall aim of this three-year research project is to inform and strengthen the health and well being of children and youth, as well as improve policy, training, and practices related to enhancing disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and resilience for children and youth.

The Alberta Resilient Communities research project focuses on the lived realities of children, youth, and their communities in order to inform and strengthen child and youth mental health and enhance disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and resilience in Southern Alberta. This symposium will present papers from the three research streams (community influencers, child-focused, and youth-focused), and data collected during our initial first year. Discussion will focus on sharing the lived experience of children and youth, particularly those experiencing high levels of risk and/or social exclusion, in the context of disasters, as well as the gaps and capacities of community influencers such as non-profit organizations and service providers. For this symposium, the research team will share how they are 1) drawing upon a range of participatory methodologies, including child and youth-friendly social innovation processes, 2) exploring children and youth as catalysts for change in families, and 3) positioning community influencers as agents of resilience in High River and surrounding Foothills region of Alberta.