This Policy provides the basis for the consideration and evaluation of proposed and existing International Education Activities at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (“JIBC” or the “Institute”).
The Institute and its representatives have the responsibility to ensure that International Education Activities are consistent with the Institute’s values and practices.
This Policy provides guidance for the consideration and evaluation of proposed and existing International Education Activities to:
- safeguard the Institute’s reputation;
- ensure proper disposition of the Institute’s resources;
- assist in making informed judgments about the desirability of specific International Education Activities; and
- ensure that International Education Activities support the Institute’s mission, values and strategic goals.
This policy applies to all International Education Activities that are undertaken in the name of the Institute and delivered either in Canada or abroad.
Human Rights – As defined by the United Nations, Human Rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status, and include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to work and education. Everyone is entitled to those rights, without discrimination. For the purposes of this Policy, Human Rights also includes all rights and freedoms protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
International Education Activities – For the purposes of this Policy, includes student and faculty exchanges with foreign institutions; international students and faculty attending courses and programs on-campus; customized education programs for international clients, whether delivered in Canada or abroad; and all international development programs and research.
General Considerations
While it is recognized that International Education Activities are developed on an individual basis, the following is a non-exhaustive list of considerations when assessing the desirability of participating in an International Education Activity:
- Alignment with Strategic Direction, Goals, and Values
- The International Education Activity aligns with the Institute’s mission, vision, mandate and strategic direction, and meets its academic standards.
- The International Education Activity conforms to all current Institute policies and procedures including, without limitation, those governing academic freedom, research, ethics, protection of intellectual property, protection of privacy, and risk management.
- Purpose
- The International Education Activity meets an identified education or applied research purpose, and enhances the quality, range and relevance of the Institute’s education and/or applied research offerings.
- Education Quality and Integrity
- The Institute has ultimate responsibility for the content, quality, academic standards, and student experience of any academic program, course of study, award or credential delivered or granted in its name, wherever they take place and whoever provides them.
- Risk Analysis
- The International Education Activity has evident benefits for all involved, while minimizing risk to all involved.
- The International Education Activity is structured to protect the safety and security of all involved.
- The International Education Activity is structured to protect the Institute’s intellectual property, as well as the privacy of all individuals involved.
- The International Education Activity is consistent with all applicable domestic and international laws, and is not in violation of current sanctions imposed by the Government of Canada.
- The nature of the training associated with the International Education Activity is taken into account. In particular, proposed and existing International Education Activities involving training in law enforcement should undergo a higher degree of scrutiny than those involving other types of training.
Human Rights Guidelines
From time to time, proposed or existing International Education Activities may involve participation of individuals or groups from countries where there may be ethical concerns about the possible denial of Human Rights. It is JIBC’s responsibility to determine to the best of its ability that the activities in which it engages do not act as instruments of abuse.
When assessing the Human Rights implications of any International Education Activity, the following guidelines will apply:
- The International Education Activity should promote and encourage critical thinking about, and not the violation of, Human Rights and the rule of law.
- Where there are concerns about a country’s Human Rights record, the consideration and evaluation of an International Education Activity with respect to that country should take into account all relevant facts and information.
- The closer the connection between the International Education Activity and a foreign agency with a concerning Human Rights record, or the closer the connection to the concerning practices themselves, the less acceptable the Institute’s participation.
- Individuals who live in a country with a concerning Human Rights record should not be additionally penalized by being denied access to assistance through international cooperation and education opportunities.
- Without diminishing the Institute’s values, the cultures of other countries involved should be taken into account and treated with sensitivity when assessing the Human Rights implications of an International Education Activity.
- The International Education Activity should be consistent with the Institute’s commitments with respect to equity, diversity and inclusion and, in particular, should support the equitable participation of marginalized people and groups.