The four guiding principles of changemaking at UFV draw inspiration and clarity from UFV's Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs). Through these principles, UFV fosters a culture of empowerment, decolonization, sustainability, and reciprocity, preparing its students to become active contributors to a future marked by equity, inclusivity, and resilience.
Changemaking principles and the ILOs are both about interconnectedness. Below, you can learn how each ILO relates to our guiding principles.
Communicate Effectively and Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
UFV aims to prepare learners to effectively communicate ideas and build connections. This requires attentive listening, an openness to other points of view, and seeking clarification. The language and tools used should maximize intercultural understanding, accessibility, inclusion, and participation.
Advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion requires understanding that systems can favour certain individuals and groups over others, creating inequities and systemic barriers. Learners use their knowledge and skills to advocate for positive societal changes.
Alignment with Changemaking principle 1 — Inclusive Empowerment
Changemaking at UFV begins with a deep commitment to inclusive empowerment, which strives to have all voices heard and provide everyone with opportunities for growth. This principle encompasses equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging with attention to accessibility. It focuses on building an academic community where empathy, collaboration, and diversity of perspectives are central and driven by evidence-engaged practice.
This principle calls for fostering environments where all students feel empowered to engage, lead, and innovate. It emphasizes building inclusive educational spaces where students are encouraged to bridge their personal and academic voices and collaborate across differences to create meaningful change.
Engaging with Indigenous Knowledge Systems
UFV learners engage with diverse Indigenous worldviews, perspectives, and knowledge systems. Learners value and respect the knowledge held by Indigenous Peoples, and commit to learning about Indigenous communities and the lands where they live, work, and learn. They understand that much of that knowledge is misrepresented and absent in commonly available resources due to colonization.
Alignment with Changemaking principle 2 — Decolonization and Indigenization
UFV is committed to approaching changemaking through the principle of decolonization and Indigenization. This means we strive for practices, processes, and structures that actively challenge colonial narratives and norms. We embrace holistic and interconnected education, honour and include Indigenous knowledge systems, and promote (re)conciliation.
By embedding Indigenous ways of knowing and being into UFV’s changemaking efforts, this principle ensures that the UFV community not only learn about Indigenous perspectives but critically examines the structures that shape learning. This principle aligns with the ILO’s commitment to promoting a deeper understanding of Indigenous worldviews and challenging colonial systems that perpetuate inequity.
Contributing Locally and Globally and Applying Knowledge and Competencies Proficiently
UFV provides its learners with knowledge in sustainability and model practices that effect positive change for humanity and the Earth. They recognize their role in environmental stewardship and use their knowledge to address local and global concerns by connecting course content and international and geo-political issues.
Learners develop knowledge and information literacy, skills, and competencies within and across disciplines and knowledge systems. They access, organize, and examine various forms of information, and then use and share knowledge responsibly and ethically.
Alignment with Changemaking principle 3 — Sustainable Futures
Sustainability at UFV is understood in its broadest sense—encompassing environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. This principle reflects the university’s commitment to creating long-term solutions that ensure a livable and just world for future generations.
In its broadest sense, sustainability ensures that students develop a deep understanding of how their actions impact local and global communities. This principle calls for action-oriented learning and changemaking that is interdisciplinary and solution-focused, helping students apply knowledge to complex, real-world challenges related to environmental stewardship, social justice, and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Engaging in Reflection for Action and Leading Collaboratively
UFV learners utilize strategies to reflect on their growth and development. They work independently and draw on feedback to support all forms of growth. They seek experiences that enable them to clarify their views, beliefs, and motivations, ultimately developing a mindset that favours life-long learning.
Learners promote trust and foster collaboration to lead change and address societal challenges. They value contributions from members of diverse groups and recognize collaboration's importance in developing attainable goals. They then provide opportunities for others to lead, and they challenge themselves and others to grow.
Alignment with Changemaking principle 4 — Reciprocity
The principle of reciprocity is grounded in mutual respect, collaboration, and the exchange of knowledge. It highlights the importance of building relationships of trust and ensuring that contributions are made with care and responsibility toward all stakeholders—whether they are individuals, communities, or the environment.
This principle emphasizes mutual respect, trust, and the exchange of knowledge in interactions within UFV and with the wider community. It promotes transformative learning experiences that encourage students to engage meaningfully with others, listen effectively and with empathy, act responsibly, and reflect on how their contributions affect communities and ecosystems. By fostering co-created solutions, this principle amplifies UFV’s commitment to cultivating collaborative leadership and responsible, evidence-engaged community engagement.