IRIS

Finishing the Harvest Table

annette — Wed, 08 May 2013 15:28:24 +0000

Assessing the Impact of Peace and Conflict Impact Assessments

annette — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 18:29:51 +0000

York University named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers

annette — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:19:06 +0000

The following appeared in the April 22 edition of YFile.

York University has been named one of Canada’s Greenest Employers in an announcement released today by Mediacorp Canada Inc.

The University was named along with 54 other organizations in a competition organized by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers project.

“This award recognizes the incredible efforts of York students, faculty and staff who take action every day to raise awareness and reduce our impact on the environment,” says York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “We have made significant strides to date and will continue to lead by example in achieving results that make a meaningful difference.”

The green roofs on the Petrie Science & Engineering Building and the Lassonde Building are a big part of sustainability initiatives underway at York University

Employers were evaluated and ranked on their unique environmental initiatives and programs, success in reducing environmental footprints and employee involvement in sustainability efforts. The Canada’s Greenest Employers distinction specifically recognizes York University for creating the President’s Sustainability Council, its Green Office and Sustainability Ambassador programs, and the “Res Race to Zero” competition in which student residences across campus attempt to reduce energy consumption.

Other notable accomplishments include the following:

York University has invested $40 million in its Energy Management Program reducing energy usage by 25 per cent. In real terms, the energy savings over the course of the program equal 100 million kilowatt hours of electricity, which is enough energy to power the University’s Keele and Glendon campuses for almost an entire year.

York University’s ZeroWaste initiative has been successful in diverting 65 per cent of the University’s waste from landfill

The University’s ZeroWaste initiative provides a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to waste management that encourages faculty, staff and students to divert waste from landfills through recycling and composting. “‘Tri-bins”, with designated containers for recycling and garbage, are located across both campuses, along with organic digesters and several battery recycling bins. For 2012, the waste diversion rate surpassed 60 per cent, with the University achieving its target diversion rate of 65 per cent by 2013.

Staff in York’s Transportation Services department actively encourages commuting to the University through alternative transportation such as public transit, carpools, bicycling or walking. More than 75 per cent of York University students, faculty and staff use alternative means of transportation to campus according to a survey done in 2012 by Smart Commute North Toronto Vaughan. These results have been achieved through expanded and enhanced bus service (including the creation of the priority busway), improved cycling infrastructure such as bike lanes and secure lock-up areas, carpool programs (in cooperation with Smart Commute) and car share programs (in cooperation with Zipcar). The University also offers a shuttle service between the Glendon and Keele campuses, between the Keele campus and the GO Station, and from the Keele campus to the Village residential community south of the University.

On the academic front, the Faculty of Environmental Studies (FES) at York University was the first of its kind in North America. It was founded in 1968, and remains the largest environmental studies program on the continent with nearly 1,300 graduate and undergraduate students. Through FES and other Faculties, the University offers approximately 350 courses that focus on sustainability and the environment, including the Erivan K. Haub Program in Business and Sustainability at the Schulich School of Business (also one of the first programs of its kind in North America).

The University community uses tri-bins to sort recycling

The University actively encourages research into sustainability and environmental initiatives. The Institute for Research & Innovation in Sustainability (IRIS) was established by York University in 2004 to create an interdisciplinary University-wide research institute that is a focal point for the sustainability-related activities of all 10 Faculties at York. IRIS supports the sustainability related research of York faculty and brings academics together, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration.

Community involvement in the York University Sustainability Ambassadors Program empowers volunteer leaders (staff, faculty or students) to act as role models, change agents and committed friends of the environment. They assist with the Green Office program, Campus Clean-up Days and other outreach opportunities, and are champions of sustainability within their departments.

The Green Office program at York makes it easy for faculty, staff and students (with office space) to incorporate a wide variety of sustainable practices into the day-to-day operations of work spaces across the University.

Now in its seventh year, employers who make the Canada’s Greenest Employers list have developed exceptional, earth-friendly initiatives and are actively attracting people to their organizations because of their environmental leadership.

York U community members can now include the Canada’s Greenest Employer logo in their e-mail signatures. To do so, save the Canada’s Greenest Employers logo ( English left, French right) to your desktop and then in Lotus Notes, click “more” in the top navigation bar. Select “preferences”, click “signature” and place the computer cursor on the line immediately following your contact information. Click on the “T” icon at the end of your signature and choose “graphic”. Click again to select the image and then click “import”. Click “OK” to save and close the window.

To learn more about York University’s initiatives in sustainability, visit the Sustainability @ YorkU website.

Arctic Love in the Park

mitra — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:56:08 +0000

Arctic Love in the Park

Date: Saturday, April 20th 12:00 noon

Trinity Bellwoods Park – behind the tennis courts (Queen West & Gore Vale Ave)

Rain or Shine

This Earth Day weekend, Greenpeace is calling everyone to join in a global event to help save the Arctic. In over 20 countries around the world, thousands will come together, forming a massive heart to show the world they want to see the Arctic protected.

You don’t want to miss your opportunity to be part of the largest I Heart Arctic event in Canada right here in Toronto! Just wear the colour red and meet us in Trinity Bellwoods Park at noon.

See you there!

Please Join and Share the Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/510414889019691/

Please fill out this form to RSVP: https://docs.google.com/a/greenpeace.org/forms/d/1fxR0uImQVEm6Lvw-Bp39h0F05DBILVsPloT3y-dJnOw/viewform

For more information visit: http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/iheartarctic/

To Watch the I Heart Arctic Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WRUjoBBXoKM

Upcoming Spring Events at LEAF

mitra — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:30:15 +0000

Pocket Tree Tour – Sat, April 20, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Location TBA, Toronto. Join LEAF arborist Michelle Bourdeau and the Pocket Community Association to learn about the trees in the neighbourhood. Registration recommended. Free! http://www.yourleaf.org/event/2013-04-20/pocket-tree-tour
Out of the Ashes Tree Tour: Lessons From the Emerald Ash Borer – Sat, May 11, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Milne Park, Markham. LEAF’s Melissa Williams teams up with Markham Parks Planner Nory Takata and Forest Entomologist Kathleen Ryan to explore the ways we can all play a role in the recovery and strengthening of our local environment. Registration recommended. Free! http://www.yourleaf.org/event/2013-05-11/out-ashes-tree-tour-lessons-emerald-ash-borer
Tree Tenders Volunteer Training Toronto – May 22, 23, 25 & 29, Northern District Library, Toronto. This multi-day course is designed for individuals who want to gain tree-related knowledge and skills. Registration required. $70+HST (includes manual) http://www.yourleaf.org/event/2013-05-22/tree-tenders-volunteer-training-toronto
Tree Tenders Volunteer Training York Region – June 8, 12 & 15, Oak Ridges Community Centre, Richmond Hill. This multi-day course is designed for individuals who want to gain tree-related knowledge and skills. Registration required. $70+HST (includes manual) http://www.yourleaf.org/event/2013-06-08/tree-tenders-volunteer-training-york-region

Call for Submissions: TLN “Mundo Canuck” Student Essay Prize

mitra — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:26:52 +0000

Call for Submissions: TLN “Mundo Canuck” Essay Prize

CERLAC invites submissions from eligible undergraduate students of York University to the annual Telelatino Network “Mundo Canuck” Essay Prize competition.

The Telelatino Network “Mundo Canuck” Essay Prize is awarded annually to two York undergraduate students, to recognize exceptional writing on the experiences of Hispanic people in Canada. Two prizes are granted each year, one of $800 and the other of $450. The Prize was established in 2009 by a donation made to York University by Telelatino (TLN), a Canadian television channel that broadcasts programs of interest to the Hispanic and Italian communities.

THE ESSAYS:
Winning essays will provide critical reflection on the experiences of Hispanic people in Canada, highlighting their past, present and future contributions to Canadian society and/or addressing the challenges they have successfully overcome as members of a minority group in the Canadian context. Essays may be based on work done for a course. Length: 2,000-2,500 words maximum. They may be written in Spanish or English, and will be judged by the following criteria: critical insight, originality, relevance, clarity of presentation, coherence of argument and persuasiveness.

ELIGIBILITY:
The essay’s author must be an undergraduate student registered in an academic degree program at York University (any Faculty or College, including Glendon). Eligible students must be Canadian citizens, Ontario residents and demonstrate financial need.

PROCEDURE:
For this year’s competition, submit an electronic copy of your essay to cerlac@yorku.ca no later than 28 June 2013. A panel of York University professors associated with CERLAC and the Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) Program at York will act as judges for the contest. The winner will be announced in August 2013. Prize winning essays will be announced by TLN and by CERLAC and published on-line on their websites. The winners will also be announced on TLN (which may also interview and profile each winner).

Submit to: cerlac@yorku.ca
Deadline for submissions: 28 June 2013

More information: contact CERLAC at 416.736.5237 or cerlac@yorku.ca

Call for Nominations: Michael Baptista Essay Prizes 2013

mitra — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:25:45 +0000

Call for Nominations: Michael Baptista Essay Prizes 2013

Deadline: July 31, 2013. Nominations limited to York University students only.

The Michael Baptista Essay Prizes recognize annually, at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, an outstanding scholarly essay of relevance to the area of Latin American and Caribbean Studies from a humanities, social science, business or legal perspective. These prizes offer an opportunity for York University faculty to recognize outstanding student work in the area of Latin American and Caribbean studies at York University.

If you are a York faculty member who graded an exceptionally accomplished piece of student work (at the graduate or the undergraduate level) of relevance to these regions this past academic year, we encourage you to nominate the essay in question.

The prize includes a monetary component of $500 per awardee. Winning essays will be considered for publication by CERLAC (the Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean at York University).

The essays may be from a full or half course during the 2012-2013 academic year, or a summer 2012 course. Major Research Papers at the graduate level may also be nominated. Submissions should be no longer than 35 double-spaced pages (exclusive of bibliography). Deadline extensions are available in instances where significant re-writing is required to shorten the work to within that limit.

TO NOMINATE:
Request a nomination form from CERLAC: cerlac@yorku.ca OR download the form here:http://www.yorku.ca/cerlac/Baptista-Prize-Nomination-Form.doc

Submit the nominated paper and accompanying form to CERLAC no later than July 31, 2013. Both can be submitted electronically via email to: cerlac@yorku.ca. Hard copies are not required, but can be sent to: CERLAC, 8th Floor, York Research Tower.

PLEASE NOTE: ONLY FACULTY MEMBERS CAN NOMINATE A PAPER. Students may not self-nominate. Nonetheless, we encourage students who have received top grades and high praise on their papers to bring the existence of this prize to the attention of their instructors, so that they might nominate the paper if they so choose. A student may have only one essay entered into the competition in any given year (if more than one is nominated, the student will be asked to choose which is to be entered into the competition). Faculty members may nominate no more than one paper per level of study (max. two overall) in any given year. For the purposes of this award, an “undergraduate student” is a student enrolled in an undergraduate program who has received no prior post-secondary degree.

The papers submitted will be reviewed by two to three faculty readers with research interests in Latin America and the Caribbean. Both the prizewinners and the nominating faculty members will be advised of the decision approximately by the end of September 2013.

The Michael Baptista Essay Prizes recognize annually, at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, an outstanding scholarly essay of relevance to the area of Latin American and Caribbean Studies from a humanities, social science, business or legal perspective. These prizes are funded by the friends of Michael Baptista, and the Royal Bank of Canada where he was a Senior Vice-President until his untimely death.

More about the essay prize: http://www.yorku.ca/cerlac/projects.htm#baptista

Baptista Prizewinning Essays: http://www.yorku.ca/cerlac/publications.htm#baptista

If you have any questions please contact CERLAC at 416.736.5237 or cerlac@yorku.ca

______________________________
Interested in Latin America and/or the Caribbean? Want to receive information about related academic and cultural events, opportunities, and current affairs?

LACYORK Informational listserv on Latin America and the Caribbean is a moderated listserv managed by the Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean (CERLAC) at York University in Toronto, Canada.
To join: send a request for subscription to LACYORK with your full name and email address to cerlac2@yorku.ca.

LACYORK is intended as an electronic venue for information-sharing among scholars and practitioners interested in:

the culture, political economy, and human and social development of Latin America and the Caribbean and their diasporas;
inter-hemispheric relations;
globalization from a regional perspective;
social justice and human rights issues in the region.

On the list is posted:

current news from conventional and alternative sources on important regional events and issues;
information about new publications, bibliographic resources, useful websites, conferences, and other events (the latter mostly – but not exclusively – taking place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada);
employment, internship, study, and volunteer opportunities in the region (or in relevant organizations worldwide concerned with human rights, labour, the environment, women’s issues and development)

Nominations for 2013 International Student Excellence Awards

mitra — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:24:25 +0000

International Student Excellence Awards

The City of Toronto recognizes the significant contribution that the international students make to its economic and socio-cultural development. The City wishes to enhance their positive experience and to celebrate their presence here. To fulfill this vision, the City in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), partner academic institutions, Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) and corporate sponsors is organizing an International Students Festival on September 28, 2013 at David Pecaut Square (at Metro Hall), 55 John Street, Toronto. The festival is expected to be attended by international students, their families and friends, institutional staff, foreign dignitaries and others. The Presidents of the partner universities and colleges and Ambassadors/High Commissioners/Consul-Generals of the top 20 countries which are the source of the most international students will also been invited to the event.

On the occasion of the festival, six outstanding international students will be recognized and presented with Toronto Excellence Awards. The presentation of awards is an acknowledgement of the significant contribution these students make in diverse fields. Each Excellence Award winner will receive a Certificate, a gift and $500 cheque.

Award Categories

Community Services
Entrepreneurship
Academic Excellence
Sports
Arts & Culture
Professional Achievement

Award Category	Qualifications/Criteria
Community Services	A current student or a student who has graduated in the past one year Significant contribution to community services while maintaining academic excellence Examples of community services include, but not restricted to: raising funds for disaster relief; drive to procure materials for food bank; outreach and help to communities in need Community services undertaken both in Canada and abroad during the period of study are eligible for consideration
Entrepreneurship	A current student or a student who has graduated in the past one year Contribution to entrepreneurial efforts or business development Examples of entrepreneurial activities will include, but not restricted to: setting up a new enterprise, start-up or a business; providing significant help in growing an existing business enterprise; activities that resulted in employment generation. Entrepreneurial activities undertaken both in Canada and abroad during the period of study are eligible for consideration.
Academic Excellence	A current student or a student who has graduated in the past one year Achieving and maintaining high level of academic performance Examples of academic excellence will include, but not restricted to: consistent high level of academic grades, developing award winning projects, publications, research work Academic achievements both in Canada and abroad during the period of study are eligible for consideration.
Sports	A current student or a student who has graduated in the past one year Contribution to athletics and sports Examples of excellence in sports will include, but not restricted to: winning top places in sports competitions, promotion and creating awareness about sports among youth, coaching winning individuals and teams. Achievements in sports both in Canada and abroad during the period of study are eligible for consideration.
Arts & Culture	A current student or a student who has graduated in the past one year Contribution to arts and culture fields. Examples of arts and culture activities will include, but not restricted to: contribution to visual arts such as painting, sculpture, photography; performing arts such as music, theatre, film, dance; promoting cultural integration. Art and cultural activities undertaken both in Canada and abroad during the period of study are eligible for consideration.
Professional Achievement	An international student who came to study in one of the partner academic post-secondary institutions and then decided to settle and work here on completion of one year after studies. Highly successful in the chosen profession or business or any other area Examples of success will include, but not restricted to: reaching to top or near top level in a chosen profession; established or helped in establishing a medium or large enterprise; has become a publicly-know personality by virtue of devotion to particular cause; high level of research achievement.

Award nominations

The partner universities and colleges are invited to nominate potential candidates in each category. The academic institutions are expected to follow their own plan of action regarding circulation of this notification within their institutions; and for internal nomination consultations, e.g., consultations with faculty, staff, student unions, alumni associations, etc.
Maximum number of nominations per institution should not exceed three in each category.
Deadline to submit nominations: Monday, July 01, 2013.
The nominations should reach on or before the deadline to Jagdish Yadav either:

via email at: jyadav@toronto.ca

b. by mail to:

Jagdish Yadav

Senior Advisor – Education

Economic Development & Culture Division

City Hall, East Tower, 9th Floor

100 Queen Street West

Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2

Contents of Nomination Package

The nominations should include the following:

Name of nominee
Academic institution
Nominee’s short bio not exceeding 200 words
Country of origin and number of years in Canada
Educational qualifications including any specific academic recognition such as Dean’s Honours list, highest marks, first rank in a project, etc.
Initiatives undertaken individually or as member of a group
Distinguished achievements in the chosen field
Recommendations, if any.
Any other significant information that is not covered in points 1 to 7 above.

Selection Process

The nominations will be reviewed by a selection panel to choose the winners and honourable mentions in each category. The selection panel will consist of three members. For ethical reasons, none of the members of the selection panel will be from a nominating institution. The selection panel is expected to review the nominations and choose the award winners in the second week of July 2013.

Award Presentation

The awards will be presented at the International Students Festival which is being organized on September 28, 2013 in Toronto.

Youth Internship Program 2013-2014/ Programme de Stages Pour les Jeunes pour 2013-2014

mitra — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:21:48 +0000

Dear Shastri friends,

The Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute is very pleased to launch its youth internship program titled:BRINGING YOUTH INTO DEVELOPMENT (BYID). This program is funded by the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for 2013-2014.

Under the BYID program, 20 Canadians post-secondary graduates, undergraduates and graduates will have an opportunity to gain professional experience on international development by working abroad with one of the following four reputable Indian development organizations for a 6-months internship. The host Indian organizations are:

Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), Chandigarh - http://www.crrid.res.in/
Institute of Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bangalore - http://www.isec.ac.in/
M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai - http://www.mssrf.org/
Udayan Care, New Delhi - http://www.udayancare.org/

The BYID program aims at:

§ Developing the professional and humanistic capacities of young Canadian man and women to increase their participation in the Canadian and international labour market;
§ Engaging Canadian youth in the international development field by developing their professional and leadership qualities, cross cultural understanding and adaptability;
§ Contributing to the national development of India by employing the knowledge and skills of Canadian youth in capacity building of the partner organizations in India; and
§ Promoting a better understanding of International development issues among the youth and the Canadian public at large.
“Bringing Youth into Development” will focus on CIDA’s three thematic priorities, covering several Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the United Nations. The priority areas for 2013-14 internships are: (1) Increasing food security; (2) Stimulating sustainable economic growth; (3) Securing the future of children and youth.

India provides an excellent setting to gain hands on knowledge on developmental issues. Therefore, by enabling work on sustainable development projects through BYID, these internships will not only provide Canadian youth with the tools and experience needed to launch successful careers but will also contribute to sustainable economic and social development in India. Throughout the project, the interns will have comprehensive opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge, confidence and adaptability, which, we believe, will help them make more informed and expansive career choices.

Please visit our website: http://www.sici.org/home/ for more information about the BYID program.

**********************************************************************************

Chers amis de Shastri,

L’Institut Shastri Indo-Canadien est très heureux de lancer son programme de stages pour les jeunes canadiens intitulés « IMPLICATION DE JEUNES DANS LE DEVELOPPEMENT ». Ce programme est financé par le gouvernement du Canada par le biais de l’Agence Canadienne de Développement International (ACDI) pou l’année 2013-2014.

En vertu de ce programme, vingt (20) diplômés canadiens post-secondaires et des trois cycles d’études auront l’occasion d’acquérir une expérience professionnelle en développement international pour une durée de six (6) mois avec l’une de ces quatre organisations:

§ Le Centre de Recherche en Développement Rural et Industriel (CRDRI), Chandigarh -http://www.crrid.res.in/
§ L’Institut du Changement Social et Economique (ICSE), Bangalore - http://www.isec.ac.in/s
§ La Fondation de la Recherche M.S. Swaminathan (FRMSS), Chennai - http://www.mssrf.org/
§ L’Udayan Care, New Delhi - http://www.udayancare.org/

Ce programme a pour objectifs de :

·   Développer les capacités professionnelles et humanitaires de jeunes Canadiens, femmes et hommes, afin d’accroître leur participation sur le marché du travail tant canadien qu’au niveau international;
·   Engager des jeunes Canadiens dans le développement international en renforçant leurs compétences professionnelles, leurs capacités de leadership et d’adaptation, des connaissances reliées aux échanges interculturelles;
·   Contribuer au développement de l’Inde en mobilisant les connaissances et les compétences de jeunes Canadiens afin de renforcer les capacités des organisations partenaires en Inde;
·   Promouvoir une meilleure compréhension des enjeux du développement international auprès des jeunes canadiens et la population canadienne de façon générale.

Le programme : ‘Implication des jeunes dans le développement’  vise trois priorités thématiques de l’ACDI. Ces priorités s’inscrivent dans plusieurs Objectifs de développement du Millénaire (OMD) des Nations Unies. Les domaines prioritaires pour ce programme pour 2013-2014 sont comme suit : (1) Accroître la sécurité alimentaire, (2) Stimuler la croissance économique de façon durable, (3) Contribuer à assurer l’avenir des enfants et des jeunes.

L’Inde fournit un excellent cadre pour acquérir des connaissances sur les questions relatives au développement. En impliquant des jeunes Canadiens dans des projets de développement ayant une visée durable à travers ce programme, il est attendu qu’ils et elles acquièrent des capacités à élaborer des outils, des lignes directrices et de façon générale une expérience, tout en étant satisfaisante de par une contribution au développement économique et social dans une perspective durable en Inde, qui leur donnera des acquis solides pour une carrière professionnelle réussie.

Pour plus d’informations, veuillez consulter notre site web au http://www.sici.org/home/.

Veuillez trouver ci-joint l’affiche de ce program, nous vous prions de bien vouloir circuler l’information au sein et à l’extérieur de votre institution.

York University releases SEI report on Electricity Conservation Policy in Ontario

mitra — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 18:19:52 +0000

Ontario Must Turn Renewed Energy Conservation Commitment into Action: York U SEI report

TORONTO, March 25, 2013 – Ontario has failed to prioritize and make a long-term commitment to energy conservation, according to a York University report released today. The report, Electricity Conservation Policy in Ontario: Assessing a System in Progress, part of the Sustainable Energy Initiative Studies in Ontario Electricity Policy Paper Series, is published in the context of the February Speech from the Throne’s acknowledgement that “conservation is the cheapest source of energy.” The report is available at http://sei.info.yorku.ca/files/2013/03/electricity-conservation-policy-ontario.pdf.

“The paper provides a detailed roadmap for turning the province’s renewed focus on energy conservation into reality. By acting on its new commitment, Ontario has the potential to strengthen the sustainability of Ontario’s electricity system and to enhance the energy productivity of Ontario’s economy” said Professor Mark Winfield of the Faculty of Environmental Studies and Co-chair of the Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI).

The paper highlights overly rigid roles for electricity distribution companies in offering conservation programs; legislation that grants authority but not mandate conservation; and lack of attention and support to build a culture of conservation, as other major barriers to a successful energy conservation strategy.

Rebecca Mallinson, author of the paper and a graduate student in Environmental Studies, makes 20 recommendations, among them that the province’s long-term energy policy objectives, including the pursuit of all cost-effective opportunities for conservation, be set through legislation rather than ministerial directives.

“I hope my recommendations will help policymakers to renew Ontario’s commitment to electricity conservation. It only makes sense that our energy policies make conservation a priority because conservation is the best-choice electricity option,” said Mallinson.

The Faculty of Environmental Studies Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI) has been established to build and strengthen the teaching, research and partnerships needed to create new green energy economies in Canada and around the world.

Further information on the initiative is available at http://sei.info.yorku.ca/