WATERLOO - The University of Waterloo will launch North America's first school focusing on environmentally responsible business and development on Friday.

The school of environment, enterprise and development (SEED), centered in Waterloo's faculty of environment, will provide sustainable solutions to key local and global environmental, social and developmental challenges through education, research and training.

"SEED provides solutions to sustainable development-including local and global environmental, social and economic challenges," said Steven Young, interim director of the new school. "Students will graduate with real-world experience and training that will empower them to initiate and lead creative and influential projects in Canada and around the world."

As part of its launch Friday, SEED will present a provocative, day-long symposium, entitled Business Not As Usual. Industry Minister Tony Clement will give the opening plenary, followed by feature panel debates on two topics: Is Green Enough? and Local Versus Global. The closing plenary speaker is Dr. Stuart L. Smith, former chair of Canada's National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy. The event will be held at Federation Hall on the Waterloo campus, beginning at 8:45 a.m. and will be broadcast online from http://www.seed.uwaterloo.ca.

Over last 40 years, Waterloo's faculty of environment has taken a leadership role in dealing with difficult resource, ecosystem, policy and sustainability issues. The faculty's innovative programs have been widely cited as a model for how the environment and business should be integrated in an academic setting.

SEED integrates the faculty of environment's expertise in environmental sustainability, business management and economic development. The new school offers two undergraduate programs: a bachelor of environmental studies in environment and business as well as a bachelor of environmental studies in international development. The existing graduate program in local economic development will be complemented by additional master's degrees and training programs in environment, business and development, starting 2010.

Extensive co-operative education and field training will give graduates both the work experience and fundamental academic skills they need to succeed.

SEED will grow to offer a fully integrated curriculum at all levels, with more than 800 students and 15 to 20 dedicated core faculty members by 2012. The school will produce the largest number of graduates with combined business, development and environmental expertise of any school in North America.