The world is far from static: theories, policies, governments, environments and economies all change, sometimes at a breakneck speed. Making sense of it all, and leading the way through it, can be a challenging task.
Given the breadth of disciplines housed in the Faculty of Public Affairs, it isn’t surprising that our alumni, students and faculty are at the forefront of issues affecting the private market, the public sector and the voluntary sector around the world. Whether locally, nationally or internationally, we are engaged in what matters to civil society.
Involved in understanding and advancing issues of the day, we are also concerned with how they came about and where they will take the world. Evaluation plays a critical role in our research, training and teaching efforts. Whether in community programming or international relations, organizations and governments must examine where they have been before moving boldly forward. Understanding what works, and what doesn’t, is essential for future success. Our alumni and faculty, through their own work and research, provide evaluation; more importantly, they teach it, empowering others with the tools they need to make decisions affecting everything from health care to foreign policy to financial management. Best known is our International Program for Development Evaluation Training, which plays an important role in developing the evaluation capacity of nations.
Sharing knowledge in the classroom, the community and around the world is a role in which the Faculty takes great pride. Solving real-world problems—like those of refugees, emerging economies, and countries eager for nuclear power profiled in this issue of Panorama—is at the heart of what we teach, study and disseminate. The skills, experiences and interests of faculty and students inform our research and result in diverse contributions in all areas of society.
The stories in this issue reflect the depth and breadth of the Faculty’s activities, and the impact that our varied units have on the changing world. From integrating sustainability into programs at Carleton, to helping students with disabilities at the National University of Rwanda, to teaching neighbours to resolve conflict and nations to manage emerging economies, we are helping to make sense of our times and our future.
Katherine Graham
Dean, Faculty of Public Affairs
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Alumni news: Particip-action