INSTITUTIONAL SETTING
The host of the WHRI is the Centre for Women’s Studies in Education (CWSE) at the Ontario Institute for the Studies in Education at the University of Toronto (OISE/UT). CWSE is a research centre established in 1983, which generates and acts as a clearing house for research around the world, and coordinates a program for international Visiting Scholars. Centre activities include the international journal Resources for Feminist Research and the Dame Nita Barrow Distinguished Visitorship which brings a renowned feminist leader from the economic south to OISE/UT to teach a graduate course each year.
The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT) is a graduate and research institute with a diverse student population, and significant student interest and a strong international reputation in the areas of feminist and community studies. Among the many resources available are excellent libraries including the Bora Laskin Law Library’s Women’s Human Rights Resources and OISE/UT’s Women’s Education Resource Collection with strong historical links to the women’s movement and noteworthy archival holdings of movement documents from countries around the world as well as a broad based international collection of books and periodicals.
TORONTO
Toronto is located on the land of the Mississauga of the Credit First Nation, and derives its name from the Huron word meaning “meeting place.” The United Nations has recognized Toronto as the world’s most diverse city with 190 different ethnic groups represented here. Toronto is also home to Canada’s largest gay and lesbian population. All of these communities include many women’s and feminist organizations with vibrant and active links to women in other parts of Canada and other regions of the world and to international networks. The Association for Women’s Rights in Development also makes its home in Toronto. There are many excellent bookstores within easy walking distance of OISE/UT, including the Toronto Women’s Bookstore , Wonderworks, and A Different BookList .
Toronto is a global city 70 miles from Niagara Falls, and hosts first-rate theatre, a lively concert scene, alternative movie houses, over 5000 restaurants, art galleries, International film festivals, writers’ festivals, spoken word performances, Pride celebrations, and much more. Despite its cosmopolitan flair the people of Toronto are friendly and the streets safe, clean and well-maintained. On any given day you can see people riding their bikes to work and tending to community gardens. Each Toronto neighbourhood has its distinct character and history, and most are easily accessed by an excellent transit/subway system. (Toronto maps / University of Toronto map )
