Community in the making

Strengthening Culture and Civil Society

The world’s political, cultural and economic landscapes are undergoing dramatic change. Policymakers at all levels must now take into account issues such as global trade dynamics, urbanization and immigration. Governments and NGOs regularly face the challenges of stabilizing countries ravaged by drought, disease or dictatorship. McGill is engaging this shifting global milieu by prioritizing interdisciplinary research and teaching in public and social policy, as well as deepening our knowledge of cultural histories, languages and beliefs.

McGill’s strengths in policy teaching and research reflect a longstanding focus on nation-building and development. In the 1930s, the McGill Social Science Research Project paved the way for many of Canada’s most enduring social programs, including unemployment insurance, old age security and the Canada and Quebec pension plans. Today, McGill expertise is sought by governments, NGOs and policymakers across Canada and around the world. The Institute for Health and Social Policy, a partnership between Arts and Medicine, studies the social determinants of health in more than 180 countries and advocates for policies that improve the lives of children and families. The Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism draws on McGill’s strengths in multiple legal traditions to champion human rights, help prosecute crimes against humanity, and establish the legal and policy frameworks that will build just societies.

At McGill, professors in Education and Music conduct groundbreaking research in psychology and neuroscience, while faculty in Religious Studies and Philosophy lead innovative programs studying international development, national security and postconflict resolution. The Institute of Islamic Studies, the first of its kind in North America, provides valuable insight into both the rich history and contemporary realities of the Muslim world. Interdisciplinary collaborations are helping to improve scientific literacy and redefine education in the Internet age.

Campaign McGill will allow our top professors and students to bridge gaps in cultural knowledge and create the mechanisms needed to improve health, promote human rights and build nations. New investments will allow us to better understand who we are and how to create the equitable, peaceful societies of the future.