Newfoundland has an interesting geological history since the western part of the island is an extension of North America and the eastern portion was once part of northern Africa. The province is affectionately known as “The Rock”, as the last glaciation scoured the soil off most of the island. Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, an action that remains controversial to this day.

The Rural Secretariat of the Government of Newfoundland, the Grenfell Campus of Memorial University of Newfoundland and the City of Corner Brook combined forces to bring about 450 participants from all across Canada and 14 countries to Corner Brook on June 12-15, 2013 for the 5th CU Expo, which marks the 10th anniversary of the CU Expo conference.  The conference brings together students, community leaders, researchers, educators, funders, policy makers and others invested in community-building who are passionate about the power of community-university partnerships as a vehicle for social change.

Newfoundland has a rich history in community-based research dating back to the 1960s when the National Film Board initiated the Challenge for Change project that made use of then new portable video systems to do research in settlements on Fogo Island. This research allowed the island to strengthen its economy and stave off resettlement to the mainland. Memorial University Extension worked hand in hand with the Film Board and went on in the 1970s to 1990s to work in an inspiring series of research and action projects in literally all corners of “The Rock”. 

CU Expo 2013 featured HE David Johnson, Governor General of Canada, offering an opening keynote on campus-community engagement, an idea that he is personally championing.  This was followed by presentations by Bernadetter Dwyer, a resident of Fogo Island; Joanna Ochoka, from the Centre for Community-Based Research and key organizer of CU Expo 2011; and Budd Hall, UNESCO Chair and organizer of CU Expo 2008.

Innovations at CU Expo 2013 included the extensive use of “click” technology for feedback in large group discussions.  It is a technology that allows everyone in the room to see the responses given to a set of questions. Dr. Bruce Gilbert, Director of the Rural Secretariat, was “king” of the click facilitation. There was a 24-hour community radio broadcast that took everyone’s voices and stories out into the community and across Newfoundland on an FM frequency.

Community Based Research Canada was solidified as a network keeping the “CU Expo spirit” alive until the next gathering in Ottawa where Carleton University will host CU Expo 2015.