Charles Kelly's Page

What is the focus of your present work?

I Chair The Cascadia Institute ,which is a policy, research NGO that focusses on cross border issues within the Pacific Coastal Region of North America. Recent projects have focussed on the application of sustainability principals and practices in urban organizational decision making and the development of new approaches to encourage innovation and the commercialization of green/clean technologioes.
We are very engaged in a Pacific Green Energy Initiative that has evolved into a coalition of renewable energy sector leaders focussing how to accelerate investment in renerwable energy projects and infrastructure.
We are also planning to host a forum on renewable energy collaboration among leaders from the Pacific Coastal States and BC in the fall.

The Institute is also working with the Clean Air Initiative in Manila ,to foster a Trans Pacific Dialogue on air quality and climate change.

In my private businees I am working with partners to develop a geothermal project in BC.

Can you briefly summarize your past achievements?

Most recently I was the Commissioner General of the World Urban Forum 3, a United Nations event on Sustainable Cties hosted by Canada in Vancouver. The Forum attractied over 12k participants from 139 countries and was a blend of civil society, business,professional and government dialogues on ideas for action.
In the preparation for the World Urban Forum I led the HabiatJam initiative which was one of the lagest global on-line dailgues ever. Over 39k people participated from over 150 countries in a three day dialogue on urban sustainability themes.

In my private businees life I have led numerous initiatives across governments and business to establish new instititions or to transform existing institutions. Noteable achievements would include the design and negotiations that led to a public private paprtnership to establish one of Western Canada's largest privately managed research labs in advanced industrial materials. In the public sector I was one of the early leaders in developing the management approach that led to the establishment of Services Canada - the largest public sector transformation in Canada.
I have been a founding Director of numerous organizations that foster cross border cooperation and alliances. These include The North American Instiute , The Canadian American Border Trade Alliance, The International Mobility and Trade Corridor Project and the Western Corridor Transportaion Coordination Committee.

Would you like to share any of your education with the other Fellows? If so, post it here.

Honours BA , Queen's University

Where were you born?

Toronto, Ontario

Where are you located (multiple locations can be posted)?

Vancouver, British Columbia

Do you have another website? If so, list the URL here. If not, leave blank.

http://www.bcpacificgreen.org/

As a Fellow, we know you have a commitment to making the world a better place. How would you describe your motivation and aspirations in this context?

The status quo is not sustainable in almost all institutional contexts. Yet the desire to cling to the past, to believe in political fairytales and hold the line on change is often thought to be the best and most risk abverse path.

The opposite is true and the challenge for leaders is to recognize the fear of change and give the new entrants in decision making, the opportunity to innovate and chart a course, not travelled before.