Learn about the origins of the Atlantic Summer Institute on Healthy and Safe Communities, which started in 2004, and has expanded to include year-round programming today!
In August 2004, 164 people from Atlantic Canada, other provinces, and the United States came together to share knowledge, meet like-minded people, plan projects and work collaboratively to create healthier, safer communities. They gathered at the Institute based on the shared belief that societal issues – like health and wellness, crime and community safety, poverty and economic development – are intimately interrelated and connected. They are people who recognize these linkages, and were ready to build a base of skills and knowledge that would serve as a foundation for taking action together.
The Institute provided a unique opportunity for researchers, policy developers, practitioners and community leaders from crime prevention, health promotion, injury prevention, and social development sectors, to join together in ground breaking work – and enjoy a taste of the legendary PEI summer hospitality.
The Institute was supported by the Government of Canada’s National Crime Prevention Strategy; co-sponsored by the Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre and the Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health; and co-hosted by the University of Prince Edward Island and the PEI Health Research Institute.
The merging and converging of seemingly diverse sectors provided an unmatched opportunity to explore the many faces of health and safety in Atlantic Canada. On this video, you will get just a glimpse of some of these faces and some of their ideas.