At a time of strained government resources, where can communities turn for the help they require to address challenges such as homelessness, addiction, climate change and social inequality?

One strategy gaining currency in North America is to leverage the capacities of large public, non-profit institutions that have deep and enduring community ties. Proponents of this strategy maintain that these so-called "anchor institutions" are uniquely well positioned to contribute to the social infrastructure of the communities they serve.

Simon Fraser University President Andrew Petter will argue that no Canadian institutions are better positioned to play this role than our universities, colleges and institutes. He will support this position with reference to a new national initiative that SFU has launched to encourage Canadian post-secondary institutions to increase their social impact by strategically utilizing their human, financial and physical assets.