Mission Statement
The Center for Social Ecology and Public Policy is dedicated to individual empowerment through the maturing of natural systems present in all human communities. These natural systems are a pathway for direct participation of citizens in the creation, ownership, and management of public policy. Natural systems are the informal networks that operate in communities and the formal bodies that are in alignment with these informal networks. They are place-based, geographically centered, and are responsible for caretaking, survival, and cultural beliefs, traditions, and practices. When public policy grows out of this understanding of social ecology, productive
harmony, the central outcome promoted in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), is enhanced. The integration of the bio-physical and social ecosystems results in efficient application and mobilization of human, monetary, social, and natural capital.
Goal
The Center is dedicated to fulfilling its mission through the theory and practice of social ecology and public policy in local, regional, national, and international settings.
Objectives
The Center for Social Ecology and Public Policy, as a 501 (c) (3) organization will:
1. Conduct innovative projects that advance the field of social ecology and public policy. Social ecology is the theory and practice of enhancing productive harmony within and between the human and natural environments.
2. Secure grants and research support from foundations and government sources to engage in research that broadens understanding of social ecology as a science, developing concepts and methods that enhance our understanding of social ecosystems
3. Provide certified training, internships and other learning programs and opportunities to increase the professionalism of the social ecology field in public policy formation for students, citizens, natural resource professionals, health and human service professionals, national and international corporations and governments.
4. Create and implement a graduate program in social ecology and public policy directed towards leadership development for current and future government and corporate leaders who currently or will influence the creation of public policy.
5. Assist communities in understanding current changes and trends, to adapt and provide leadership in an action context that prevents disruption, and to promote diversity and persistence in social, cultural, biological, physical and economic environments.
6. Use a variety of venues for dissemination of research and application results, in particular the adaptive, quick-change, resilient nature of successful 21st Century communities and organizations, through mainstream and professional publications, media outlets, and public speaking.
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