|
|
|
Mary Ann Coleman, Executive Director, New Brunswick Environmental Network, and Coordinator of the New Brunswick Collaborative on Children's Environmental Health
What first brought you into environmental health work?
I have always been interested in both environmental issues and health issues and, for me, environmental issues have always been about people. As a young mother, I was very conscious of my children’s environment and closely monitored their exposures through diet, clothing, air quality and toys. At that time it just seemed natural to me that chemicals would affect a child. Now I think about the world that my granddaughters are growing up in, with ever increasing numbers of chemicals and possible exposures. From my point of view, it seems ever more difficult to avoid exposure. I also think about the planet that they are inheriting from my generation. Will it be able to provide sustenance for them? Health and environment are inextricably linked.
What is your primary mission in your work?
The New Brunswick Environmental Network (NBEN) is a communication network of 80 non-profit environmental groups within the Province of New Brunswick, Canada. New Brunswick is one of Canada’s smaller provinces, with a total population of 750,000 people. One of our primary mandates is to facilitate communication and cooperation among those 80 groups. In this capacity, we have developed a number of caucuses, or mini-networks, focused on issues in which groups are interested in working together. The concept of working collaboratively, across sectors, grew from this foundation. At this point, the NBEN now facilitates two collaborative efforts – the Sustainable Education Alliance – New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Collaborative on Children’s Environmental Health.
The innovative approach used by the Collaborative on Children’s Environmental Health has resulted in Canada’s first province-wide strategy to reduce children's exposure to environmental contaminants that affect health. Led by a planning group of seven key agencies, this collaborative effort has grown since 2005 to involve 160 people from 72 agencies including government, NGOs, private sector agencies and communities. The work involves bringing all these stakeholders together, on a regular basis, to develop strategies and implement them.
How does this happen? The model used by the Collaborative evolved systematically over time. Initially, stakeholders developed a common purpose and a coordinated action strategy to reduce children’s exposures. Consensus was achieved on key strategies, and a decision-making model and a networking structure were proposed. These were designed to lead to long term stability in communication between the widely diverging agencies involved. The networking structure links the seven teams that are operating to implement one of the five goals of the Collaborative. Decision-making remains with the teams, building upon the capacity and resources of each stakeholder and enabling simultaneous action and leadership on many fronts.
The five goals being acted upon by teams are:
- To develop and maintain a collaborative effort of all stakeholders involved in Children’s Environmental Health in New Brunswick
- To develop and advance educational opportunities for families and professionals
- To encourage and promote research
- To improve policy and legislation related to children’s environmental health
- To reduce exposure to specific contaminants through strategic actions
What are the most important recent developments in your work, scientific or otherwise?
Our most exciting recent development is the unprecedented success of our collaborative model, which now is achieving a track record of successful initiatives. There are concrete results now coming forward such as: an active listserv, educational tools, educational train-the-trainer programs for professionals and tools to address specific contaminants.
The formation of the “collaborative” demonstrates an approach that works to bring awareness and support among citizens from across the societal spectrum. The Collaborative Effort on Children’s Environmental Health in New Brunswick serves as a model of the inclusive development and implementation of a complex strategy and has borne results on the ground and in children’s lives.
What successes have most encouraged you in your work recently?
Most recently, I have been encouraged by the engagement of additional significant sectors in the collaborative effort, including government departments such as the Department of Education. Because there is no agency mandated to implement the entire strategy, each component must be advanced by the agencies that have a direct mandate for that area. As a result, the direct engagement and involvement of as many sectors as possible is key to delivering the strategy.
What have been some of the greatest recent challenges?
Understanding the dynamics of teams and what enables people from diverse agencies to continue to work together to achieve common goals is the central ongoing challenge of the collaborative effort. Each agency brings there own mandate, values and style to the team. From there, the team must develop an approach that keeps everyone at the table and enables each partner to take action. As a whole, we have to be ready to develop new teams, and retire old teams, as needed. The process is based on an organic and grass roots model and with all the ongoing activity, it is a often a case of “hold on for the ride”!
What would you regard as the most significant potential future developments in your field?
Because of the cross-sectoral nature of the team work, potential developments are happening on all fronts. Efforts are underway to advance legislation, particularly with the development of a Children’s Environmental Health Bill of Rights. A cross-sectoral research team is looking at health research conducted using principles found in ecological research, i.e., assess the species (in our case, the human species) in its local environment. On the education front, a number of projects are underway to increase the knowledge base of professionals working with the children.
What or who continues to inspire you in your work?
I am inspired by all the people that I work with, from all walks of life, who are becoming aware and changing their day-to-day practices in order to protect children. On a personal basis, my granddaughters are a wellspring of inspiration for me. I feel a deep obligation to put their long-term needs front and centre.
What does your Partnership with CHE add to your work?
Our work will certainly benefit from access to emerging research, access to resources for parents and professionals and networking with others involved in the same mission. And most of all, we will appreciate this opportunity to learn about, and contribute to best practices in this hugely important field of endeavour.
|
