Welcome to the SJU Centre for Responsible Citizenship
The Centre for Responsible Citizenship (CRC) is the service and community-based learning and research centre at St. Jerome’s University in the University of Waterloo. The CRC has five areas of activity:
(1) Beyond Borders program (international service learning)
(2) Beyond “U” Community Service program (local volunteer initiative)
(3) Community-Based Learning support (curriculum development and support)
(4) SJU Lectures in Catholic Experience (public lecture series)
(5) CRC Research in Community Development (faculty and student research)
The primary purpose of the Centre is to provide educational experiences to SJU and UW students who want to put their knowledge, skills, and gifts to use in the pursuit of a more just and peaceable world. In collaboration with SJU’s academic faculty and staff, the Centre provides direction, support, and recognition of our students¹ service and community-based work, both locally and globally.
Whether in an international placement in the Beyond Borders program or in a local volunteer position through our Beyond “U” Community Service program, our students are encouraged to discover the dignity of others, to think critically about the social and political structures that alienate and isolate certain populations, as well as to recognize that students can be agents of positive social change.
While the Centre does maintain a student focus, we are also committed to providing the greater Waterloo Region with learning and service opportunities through our SJU Lectures in Catholic Experience. For more than 25 years, these lectures have welcomed challenging and provocative speakers, such as Jean Vanier, Sr. Helen Prejean, and Romeo Dallaire, to name just a few. These lectures are free and open to the public.
In all of our work, the Centre for Responsible Citizenships strives to embody SJU’s commitment “to learning and academic excellence; the gospel values of love, truth and justice; and the formation of leaders for the service of the community and the Church.” (from SJU’s Mission Statement).
Finally, whether you’re a student, an alumni/ae, or someone interested in getting involved in the Waterloo Region, we invite you to contact the Centre by email at citizenship@sju.uwaterloo.ca
