Who we are

Virtual tools

Directories and Data Bases

Expansion and improvement of directories and databases:

1. Canadian and Latin American Experts. Information about experts working on and in Latin America in diverse disciplines was gathered for a small number of Canadian universities in Phase I. Other universities will be included, with the view of eventually covering all Canadian universities. In the case of Latin America, a directory of experts will be created for the thematic areas, with special attention to members of graduate training programs, regional networks, and selected research programs.
2. Canadian and Latin American graduate training programs and postgraduate courses. The data base on training programs created under Phase I will be expanded to include information on program content, in order to facilitate knowledge and information sharing and exchange, and eventual sharing and adaptation of courses.
3. Virtual Libraries. The directory of virtual libraries in Canada and Latin America will be expanded and the project will focus on giving more visibility and information about accessibility and use of such resources.

On-line Courses

Online courses will look to feed existing networks and communities of knowledge and practice in Canada and LAC.

1. Courses produced by CEBEM and LAC partners:
   
   
   1. Virtual Education. The advisability of creating a Diploma or Certificate in this area on the base of the series of courses produced in Phase I will be considered. To this purpose the original courses (3 in Spanish and 1 in English) will be adapted to the other language version.
   2. Substantives courses. Between 9 and 10 substantive courses or series of courses - depending on demand, content and available materials - will be produced or adapted by partners in LAC. Among the possible topics are gender, social participation and governance, community-based economy, indigenous development, and migration. Participation of graduate students or post-graduate fellows in their production and delivery will be pursued.
   3. Courses on Participatory Research Methods. Three introductory courses will be produced as complement to substantive courses. The contribution given by Social Analysis Systems (SAS²) will be a base. An exploration will be conducted among LAC and Canadian partners in order to identify interest for the delivery of methodological training based on SAS².
2. Courses produced by Canadian partners.
   
   A maximum of 10 short-term online courses or series of courses will be delivered by the Canadian project's partners. Topics may be those currently included in the project's framework or new topics. The delivery of these courses will have the following characteristics:
   
   
   1. The courses will be related to current training programs of the partners, which will be adapted to a short format for the purpose of professional development / updating.
   2. Courses will be delivered through the partners' own learning platform or CEBEM's.
   3. Producers and tutors will be professors assisted by graduate students or postgraduate fellows and, where required, supported by CEBEM.
   4. Identification of LAC institutions and programs that might collaborate with Canadian partners will be facilitated by CEBEM.
3. Participatory Research Methods
   
   The project will open a methodological thematic area on participatory research. A base will be the Social Analysis System (SAS2), taking advantage that CEBEM is one of its Latin American focal points. The general approach to learning and knowledge construction of SAS2 is coherent with that of this project and CEBEM will continue to maintain a role in contributing to the development of this type of methodological approaches in the region. To this purpose it will pursue also to strengthen the capacity of regional institutions in participatory research by facilitating a discussion group that analyzes different qualitative and quantitative research methods. To this purpose, the project will include, in addition to courses, an evaluation forum and development of a thematic area.

Opportune Communication

1. Newsletter and Virtual Library
   
   The communication strategy will be based on a consolidated newsletter with a current mailing list of over 130,000 that will be diversified in order to reach more audiences primarily in Latin America and Canada. Special sponsored issues will be produced to advertise professional courses, networks, events and new publications.
   
   Many LAC and Canadian institutions produce and circulate their own newsletters. The project will pursue to promote cross utilization between these newsletters, and between them and the project's newsletter, in order to disseminate information and promote collaboration for purpose of sharing knowledge.
   
   Information about virtual libraries and how to access and use them will be circulated by means of the project's newsletter. Emphasis will be put on the introduction of documents, books, theses, and other documents produced by the project's partners.
2. Online Forum Facility:
   
   The project will help interested partners to organize forums as requested. The current forum mechanism in the portal will be improved in order to accommodate simultaneous events. Use of blogs will be experimented with as well.
   
   At least two forums or teleconferences will be organized for discussing academic issues and promote partnership development. One topic will be Community Economic Development; in this case the forum will be organized between CCEDNet and CEBEM.

Contacts

Mario Torres
252 Timberwood Drive
Carleton Place, ON Canada K7C 3P2
mtorresadrianxplornet.com

José Blanes
Centro Boliviano de Estudios Multidisciplinarios
calle Macario Pinilla 291
La Paz, Bolivia
jose.blanescebem.org