Dalhousie announces $1.5 million commitment from the RBC Foundation to support the Dalhousie University's College of Sustainability

HALIFAX, NS, April 22, 2013 /CNW/ - Dalhousie University today announced a $1.5 million commitment from the RBC Foundation to Dalhousie University's College of Sustainability to support the new Sustainability Leadership Certificate (SLC) program.

The donation is part of RBC's recognition of Earth Day, which takes place every year on April 22. The funds raised through the Bold Ambitions: The Campaign for Dalhousie, will support the new SLC program, which enables students to work directly on building skills to lead change towards a sustainable future. Sustainability is the concept of using our planet's resources in a manner that ensures future generations can also enjoy the same benefits that we are privileged to enjoy today.

"Protecting our planet is a shared responsibility and an effort that must involve everyone - communities, government, business leaders and educators," says Kim Mason, Regional President, Atlantic Canada, RBC. "We're committed to supporting innovative programs like the Sustainability Leadership Certificate program that engage and encourage future leaders of tomorrow to incorporate environmental and social considerations into their work, regardless of which fields they're in."

The SLC brings together students, community groups and businesses to encourage and foster creative sustainability solutions. The program complements the College's popular Environment, Sustainability and Society undergraduate major, but is open to students of other subjects from all parts of Dalhousie, providing a truly diverse forum for sharing ideas and energy.

"The SLC program recognizes that leadership for social, economic and environmental sustainability is rooted in students' confidence in their personal values, their service to communities and in their engagement with the world," says Dr. Susan Tirone, Associate Director for the College of Sustainability. "We very much appreciate RBC Foundation's donation and applaud their commitment to a sustainable future for everyone."

The SLC offers a collaborative engaged-learning program built around a series of weekend modules, interspersed with action projects in the community, written reflections and creative assignments all woven together by the metaphor of stories - personal stories, leadership stories and community stories.

RBC Foundation's funding now ensures:

• financial sustainability of the SLC program for at least 10 years

• increased program reach and impact

• minimal program cost to students

• continued community collaboration

• evaluation and continuous improvement of sustainability education

For decades, RBC and Dalhousie University have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship best exemplified through RBC's partnership with Dalhousie's Faculty of Management which has seen the placement or hiring of 71 Dalhousie students since 2007. Over 100 RBC employees have completed a MBA at Dalhousie and there are currently others enrolled in the financial services MBA.

About Dalhousie's College of Sustainability
The College of Sustainability acts as a focal point for Dalhousie's scholars and students and members of the broader community, creating opportunities for synergies in learning, teaching, scholarship and community engagement. Its innovative Environment, Sustainability and Society (ESS) interdisciplinary undergraduate program is a Canadian first and has been recognized internationally for its contribution to sustainability education.

About Bold Ambitions: The Campaign for Dalhousie
The $250-million Bold Ambitions campaign is the largest and most comprehensive in Dalhousie's history; focusing on student success and enrichment, interdisciplinary programs, and innovation and design. Its impact will deepen Dalhousie's capacity for excellence, pushing us further to achieve our vision of becoming the very best university in Canada.

About RBC's Commitment to Community and Sustainability
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We employ approximately 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 49 other countries. RBC is recognized among the world's financial, social and environmental leaders and is listed on the 2012 - 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, the DJSI North American Index, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Index. RBC is one of Canada's Greenest Employers, one of Canada's 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations and among the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World. Learn more at www.rbc.com/community-sustainability.

RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2012, we contributed more than $95 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $64 million and $31 million in sponsorships.

SOURCE: RBC