Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #175: Genuine Progress Indicators for the North  (GPI-N)

Outline
The objectives of this project are two fold: 1) to develop a set of Genuine Progress Indicators that includes factors specific and relevant to the North, as well as considers GPIs relevant to other Canadians; and 2) to collaborate with other circumpolar countries to develop a set of circumpolar GPIs. This will require a community-based research approach as well as regional, national and international collaboration. Rationale: Rather than only considering factors such as the GDP and unemployment rates as indicators of progress and well being, Genuine Progress Indicators include a much wider range of elements to assess citizens’ perspectives of well being and quality of life. These include measures of natural and social capital, including natural resource wealth and environmental quality, as well as volunteer work, leisure time, unpaid housework and childcare, health and knowledge. In the north, factors such as cultural identity and heritage, traditional foods and subsistence activities have been, and are being, impacted by multiple factors including contaminants and climate change, and are at risk. The development of Genuine Progress Indicators - North will provide a means whereby northerners from across the circumpolar north will contribute to clarifying their perspectives of well being and quality of life, and facilitate integrated actions for improvements.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The significant advances anticipated from this project address objectives in Theme 1, by developing an integrated understanding of the current status of the polar regions in relation to the health of northern residents from their perspectives; in Theme 2, by developing tools to quantify and understand factors related to changes in human health as a function of changes to the environment; and in Theme 6, by characterizing the cultural and socio-economic systems in the north in relation to human health, as perceived by northerners.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes, this project will leave a legacy of infrastructure by building the capacity for northerners to define health and well being according to their own criteria, thus facilitating significantly enhanced opportunities for participation in all aspects of related research, monitoring and assessment activities.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Healthy and Sustainable Communities: Healthy Communities

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?

How will the project be organised and managed?

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?

How is it proposed to fund the project?

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Ms Jody Butler Walker
Box 32054, Whitehorse, Yukon


Y1A 5P9
Canada

Tel: 867-393-3036
Mobile: no
Fax: 867-668-5544
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation