The three dimensions of sustainability Dr. Thomas Klak at Miami University puts civic engageme and sustainability into practice through programs in southwestern Ohio and in the Eastern Caribbean. The work of Dr. Klak and his collaborators conceptualize sustainability as a three- legged stool. The three legs are as follows: • the Ecological: the health of the ecosystem, restoration and stewardship. • the Economic: financial security and meaningful work. • the Social: human welfare, social justice, cultural interaction and respect. These ideas are examined more fully in a recent publication of Compass. (download PDF; 487KB)   Civic engagement projects by Dr. Klak and his collaborators Pictures from our matching funds campaign in Dominica: click here to see pictures The Dominica Project takes Miami University students to the Eastern Caribbean for 12 days each March to combine research and scholarship with community-level international partnership. The annual on-site course is aimed at supporting sustainable living and sustainable development on the Nature Island of Dominica. Support for the civic engagement work in this course has been generously provided by the. Harry T. Wilks Leadership Institute Other research projects by Dr. Klak and his Miami University students complement this annual course. These projects aim to contribute positively to sustainability in Dominica while at the same time advancing knowledge. The Southwest Ohio Project for consistency project should also be part of the link like it is in the previous paragraph facilitated through the Harry T. Wilks Leadership Institute brings community interaction, participation, dialogue and problem solving. One of Dr. Klak's student groups in this program focused on rural Butler County and contributed to the promotion of  local food and farmers markets. Above right, bananas growing in Dominica. One of the research projects by Dr. Klak and his collaborators aims to better understand the trials and tribulations of Eastern Caribbean banana farmers, who have lost their export market in Europe thanks to a World Trade Organization ruling. A paper on the subject was published in March 2009. (download PDF; 236KB) A very local lunch: A salad made from locally grown vegetables purchased and prepared by Dominica Spring Break Course students in  Roseau, Dominica's capital