Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Building bridges

We are dedicated to fostering international cooperation and understanding among diverse communities. The Arthur V. Mauro Institute for Peace & Justice, for example, is a unique institution committed to advocating for individual rights, resolving conflicts, and ensuring that vulnerable populations are not marginalized. It is training a new generation of leaders, like Alaide Vences Estudillo, who is working in Mexico and Canada to support Indigenous women in reclaiming their identities and challenging oppressive power structures.

UM also works with partners to expand access to post-secondary education, such as through its innovative EleV program, which has already helped over 2,000 students through community learning hubs.

Truth and Reconciliation

The university hosts the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR), a globally unique center dedicated to preserving and promoting Canada’s true history. It serves as a hub for learning and dialogue, guiding our nation toward a future of peace, respect, and equality.

UM has also created an Indigenous Senior Leadership report to move forward on key initiatives that include advancing Truth and Reconciliation goals, enhancing Indigenous representation, supporting Indigenous students, and revising policies to address anti-Indigenous racism. These efforts involve cross-university collaboration and a commitment to long-term organizational change, which is why UM is working with community members to draft a Truth and Reconciliation Framework that will hold the university accountable as it works towards concrete goals.

Educating leaders

For the first time, UM law students participated in an international competition at The Hague and earned third place. They follow in the footsteps of alum Kimberly Prost, who served at The Hague as part of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia—a tribunal that “irreversibly changed the landscape of international humanitarian law.” She later became a judge of the International Criminal Court.

UM consistently graduates leaders in law and civil enforcement. In the latest convocation, we had 205 Law and enforcement-related degrees and a total of 5,575 graduates.

Student leadership

Founded in 1919, the University of Manitoba Student Union (UMSU) is the only student government in Canada with its own specific law—the UMSU Act. It serves a diverse student body of over 26,000 members, who elect their representatives. UMSU provides support, activities, and governance input to the university administration.

The President's Student Leadership Program (PSLP) is Manitoba’s premier leadership program and is unique in Canada. Each year, it brings together a cohort of diverse students from various faculties, post-secondary institutions, interests, backgrounds, and regions to build leadership skills and tackle real-world issues like food insecurity and unaffordable housing.

Inclusive spaces

For decades, UM has cultivated relationships, partnerships, and programs that position it as a leader in reconciliation and a top choice for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students. UM was the first university to issue a historic apology for its role in the Residential School System. This commitment is reflected in the establishment of the Office of the Vice-President (Indigenous), the first of its kind at a Canadian university, demonstrating our dedication to fostering Indigenous achievement and inclusivity.

UM endorsed the Scarborough Charter on anti-Black racism and Black Inclusion, a historic document committing UM to combat anti-Black racism and foster inclusion. We have also introduced a "Disruption of all forms of racism" policy and created an Anti-Racism Taskforce to eliminate systemic and overt racism on campus.

UM is also a supportive and inclusive space for all 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty. Partnerships with groups like Pride Winnipeg aim to build a community where all individuals can live openly, authentically, and safely. We have permanently flown the Pride flag on campus to signify our commitment to gender inclusivity, countering homophobia and transphobia, and building an equitable community for all. This work is led by diverse groups on campus and coordinated by the Office of Equity Transformation, which strives to reduce barriers and build an institution grounded in accessibility, diversity and inclusion.

Commitment to free speech

UM has robust policies protecting and promoting academic freedom and speech (PDF). We have also engaged our community to provide feedback on guiding principles that support freedom of expression and will continue the discussion informed by the feedback received.

Supporting good governance

UM engages with all levels of government on policies ranging from childcare to climate change. Locally, the Faculty of Extended Education offers the Municipal Administration credential, often pursued by elected officials and senior city administrators. On the research side, Dr. Ahmed Shalaby, Municipal Infrastructure Chair for the City of Winnipeg, supports the city's infrastructure initiatives. Southwood Circle, Canada's largest and most sustainable infill development, contributes to accessible housing, influences municipal policies on active transportation, and supports rapid transit services. UM collaborates with organizations like the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce to boost community prosperity.

At the regional level, the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy is a distinctive research center that manages data from Manitoba’s health and social services systems, enabling policymakers to address health inequalities.

Nationally, UM experts regularly advise federal House and Senate committees on topics such as child abuse reduction, Indigenous student success, and early childhood education. UM also submits budget recommendations to the Finance Committee of the House of Commons and Finance Canada each year.

The Centre for Social Science Research and Policy is a key hub for policy-related social sciences activities and offers insights to policymakers at all levels.

Accountable administration

The Board of Governors is the University’s Corporate Governing Body, responsible for overseeing administrative and business affairs. It includes elected representatives from undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff, and holds transparent meetings.

The Senate, UM’s senior academic governing body, has authority over academic matters as outlined in The University of Manitoba Act. Each faculty has faculty council (PDF) to address internal issues, bringing together professors and administrators.

The Alumni Association, with over 148,000 members worldwide, fosters lifelong connections and provides a platform for community input in university decisions.

Transparent finances

Anti-corruption measures are in place at all levels, guided by Fraud and Irregularity Reporting Policy and Procedures (PDF). These policies set standards for identifying, reporting, and addressing suspected fraud or financial misconduct, outlining responsibilities, investigation processes, confidentiality measures, and consequences. UM ensures transparency by publishing its financial data and hosting an annual Budget Town Hall, where the president engages with the community to answer questions.

Providing expert advice to government

Local

UM Extended Education offers the Municipal Administration credential which is often taken by elected officials and senior administration working at City Hall. The program offers participants specialized practical knowledge in administration, accounting, human resources, law and fundamental management skills. On the research side, Dr. Ahmed Shalaby serves as Municipal Infrastructure Chair for the City of Winnipeg supporting the city’s infrastructure department with highly specialized testing of materials and design practices to best utilize and implement them in the city. The Southwood development through UM Properties will contribute to the development of accessible housing for students and the broader community, which is contributing to municipal policy on active transportation corridors and rapid transit services, while also supporting population growth.

Regional

UM’s President Dr. Michael Benarroch participated on the Manitoba Immigration Advisory Council, providing the council and the Minister guidance on Manitoba’s immigration policies and strategies. The committee was critical in providing 39 recommendations to Government on ways to enhance and streamline the region's immigration process, resulting in record applications from prospective newcomers. Through the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources and the Centre for Earth Observation Science, the Manitoba Great Lakes Program supports science-informed management of the province’s largest freshwater resources, which are critical to the regional economy and social infrastructure.

National

Over the course of 2022-23, 14 UM experts participated in federal House and Senate committees, providing lawmakers with advice and guidance on a range of subjects including health, Indigenous and northern affairs, human resources, skills and social development for persons with disabilities, science and technology. Topics covered on the subjects included reducing child abuse, improving graduation and success rates for Indigenous students, early childhood education, and data collection. Briefs were also supplied as evidence to committees relating to National Defense and Security. 

Policy and lawmakers outreach and education

UM offers a range of programs and services to provide policy and lawmakers with upskilling, general knowledge, microcredentials and capacity building on a range of areas which are important to the region. Through the Extended Education program, we offer courses on public sector and municipal administration and law, artificial technology and machine learning, advanced manufacturing, and applied business management. We also offer regular courses in the areas of climate change and sustainability which are taken by students at all stages of life. The Centre for Social Science Research and Policy is the focal point for policy-related activities in social sciences and is available to policy and lawmakers at every level of government. The centre offers clients from all industries and backgrounds expert research services, training and professional development which can be used to influence decision making and strategic direction. The centre has a wide range of experts to contribute in the fields of architecture, social work, nursing, education, food sciences, economics, sociology, criminology, psychology, and labour studies.

Participation in government research

UM is a member of the U15 group which focuses on advocating and educating lawmakers on the benefits of research in post-secondary education in Canada. Through the Centre for Earth Observation Science, we are working with the Canada Research Chairs program to enhance Canada's understanding of how the ocean, atmosphere, sea ice and glaciers and ice caps have interacted over thousands of years. This research is highly collaborative, working with partners at the University of Copenhagen, Queen's University, University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, University of Ottawa and the Alfred Wegner Institute. Research hopes to reveal how sea ice conditions change in the Arctic during the past millennia and how sensitive ice caps are to changes in sea ice and climatic conditions.

Identify and engage with local stakeholders

A substantial component of our work includes identifying and engaging with external partners. The community relations focus of our team involved engaging with local stakeholders including chambers of commerce, boards of trades, and sector groups. Wherever there is potential for alignment in promoting mutual areas of interest as they relate to our strategic objectives, this is included in our community relations mandate. We have a broad strategy plan and develop briefing documents for the purposes of engaging with external stakeholders.