International Student Workshop on the Social Economy:

Innovation & Sustainability in a Changing World: Exploring Social Economy Alternatives

In Association with The Canadi an Association for Studies in Co-operation (CASC) and The
Association for Non-Profit and Social Economy Research (ANSER)

Congress of the Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences 2009
May 26, 2009
Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Important Dates:

• 15/02/09 Deadline for Submission of abstracts for papers
• 15/03/09 Notification of Acceptance of Papers and Presentations
• 26/05/09 Student Workshop
• 27-29/05/09 Meeting of the Scholarly Associations for CASC and ANSER

The Workshop:
The world is undergoing rapid and extensive changes associated with globalization, conflicting ideas about the roles and responsibilities of the State and re-conceptualizations of our notions of community. The impacts of climate change, intensified consumption and increasing demands for non-renewable resources have made exploration of alternative models of governance, business management and community organization all the more critical. Many existing alternatives are not feasible for communities that are below average in income, health, sanitation and safety. Moreover the recent economic crisis in the United States has both intensified and magnified the necessity of applying new and innovative knowledge to realize effective and sustainable economies and management policies and practices.

The Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships (CSERP) and the Canadian Social Economy Hub (CSEHub) will host a one day international student workshop on the Social Economy entitled Innovation & Sustainability in a Changing World: Exploring Social Economy Alternatives to bring together students interested in exploring Social Economy alternatives from across the globe and to highlight the role of the Social Economy in building and strengthening communities through innovation and sustainability.

Through presentations, roundtable dialogue and small group discussions this Workshop will explore current and emerging debates, ideas, viewpoints and challenges related to the Social Economy, civil society, development, nonprofits, cooperatives, community enterprise and alternative business models in Canadian, international, cross-cultural and comparative contexts across a range of disciplines.

We invite interested post-secondary students to submit proposals for individual papers and panels on the following thematic streams:

• Situating the Social Economy in the Context of Globalization
• Understanding the Social Economy: Cross Cultural Comparisons
• Understanding the Social Economy: Cross Disciplinary Perspectives
• Linking Theory to Policy and Practice: (Re)Conceptualizing Knowledge and Innovation
• Evaluating the Impacts of the Social Economy

Proposal Deadline: February 15, 2009

Types of Proposals:
Two types of proposals will be considered: (1) paper and (2) panel presentations.
1. Paper Proposals:
Paper proposals normally present research findings with some consideration or reflection on theory, but they can also be “think pieces,” discussions of research-in-progress, including theses or dissertations, or reflections on practice. The abstract for a paper should be no longer than one page (12-point font) and should include, in the following order:

1. A working title;
2. The workshop theme(s) being addressed;
3. A summary of the central arguments of the paper, how the issues addressed fit within a wider literature or disciplines (as appropriate), and its relevance to research and/or practice in the areas of focus for the Workshop;
4. Brief biographical information on the author(s); and
5. Indicate whether your presentation will be made in English or French.

2. Panel Proposals:
Panels are collections of three or four papers on a related theme, area of research or project. Ideally these papers build upon each other, thereby adding coherence to the panel. Panel organizers are responsible for preparing an abstract of the panel as a whole. For panels comprising 3 presenters, each individual will be expected to speak for no longer than 10-12 minutes; for panels of 4 presenters, each participant will be expected to speak for no longer than 8-10 minutes. To allow time for questions and discussion, it is the duty of the panel chair to ensure the time limit is respected. The abstract for a panel should be no longer than three pages (12-point font) and should include, in the following order:

1. A working title;
2. The conference theme being addressed;
3. A half to one page overview of the focus of the panel, the coherence of the individual papers around this focus, and the relevance of the panel to research and/or practice in the areas related to the Workshop;
4. A half page summary of each paper to be included in the panel;
5. Brief biographical information on each of the authors; and
6. Indicate whether you intend to present in English and/or French.

* If you are a member of a panel you are not required to submit a separate proposal.

Language of Submissions:
The Workshop will be bilingual (English and French). Presentations and Panel submission and presentations can be made in either English or French. Please indicate in which language you intend to present in your submission.

Submissions of Proposals:
Proposals in either official language should be submitted to Neil Nunn at or no later than February 15, 2009.

Notification of receipt of the proposal will be provided. All proposals will be subject to peer review by the Organizing Committee and notification of acceptance will be provided by March 15, 2009.

Information on Congress and the Associations:
Information on the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences can be found at
www.fedcan.virtuo.ca.

For information on CASC visit: www.coopresearch.coop. For information on ANSER visit: www.anser-ares.ca. We encourage students to try and attend one or both of the Association’s annual conferences at Congress.

Information on the conferences can be found by visiting both of the websites.

About CSERP, CSEHub and BCICS:
The Canadian Social Economy Research Partnership (CSERP) is a five year Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant to undertake research into the Social Economy and promote the Social Economy tradition within Canada and as a subject of academic enquiry within universities. It is comprised of six regional research centres and a coordinating national centre. The Canadian Social Economy Hub (CSEHub) acts as a facilitator promoting collaboration among six regional research centres across Canada (Atlantic, Québec, Southern Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario, Northern, and British Columbia and Alberta), and creating opportunities and exchanges with international networks. CSEHub reaches out to practitioners, to researchers and to civil society, through the regional research centres and their community partners. The British Columbia Institute for Cooperative Studies (BCICS) is based at the University of Victoria and was founded in January 2000.

BCICS is a catalyst for research, learning, and teaching about co-operative thought and practice. BCICS collaborates locally, nationally, and internationally with other post-secondary institutions, the cooperative sector, governments, individuals, and communities interested in co-operative development. The purpose of the Institute is to understand how the co-operative model functions within different contexts, and to assess the contribution co-ops make to empowering people and communities in meeting their economic and social needs and controlling forces that impact their lives.

About ANSER:
A Canadian association for those who have an interest in research that pertains broadly to nonprofit organizations and the social economy. ANSER is working to:

• build a collaborative community of scholars and researchers; and
• develop a Canadian body of knowledge that encompasses such fields as community economic development, philanthropy, nonprofit management, volunteering, social and environmental accounting, government/voluntary sector relationships, social movements, citizen engagement, and civil society.

ANSER’s interests range from the theoretical to the applied. We have come together to promote the development and application of our knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and others in collaboration with those working in the nonprofit sector and the social economy. ANSER’s vision for membership embraces a variety of scholarly fields including economics, history, law, business and management, education, psychology, political science, public administration and sociology. ANSER is working to provide opportunities for members to share their knowledge and expertise, including an annual conference normally held with the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. ANSER’s vision is to work collaboratively with other associations with complementary interests and goals.

About CASC:
The Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation (CASC) is a volunteer run, non-profit
organization made up of researchers interested in co-operatives and practitioners who work in the cooperative sector. The focus of the association is local and international study of all aspects of cooperation and co-operative organizations. The membership of the association includes leading scholars, researchers and practitioners within the co-op movement from Canada, Europe, and Australia. We strongly encourage the training of up and coming scholars, and the new generation of practitioners. Our efforts have resulted in a significant increase in the participation of junior scholars and researchers in cooperative studies. The association meets annually along with the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities where national and international scholars have presented their research and case studies of co-operative corporations. CASC maintains this website and a listserv that publishes a newsletter informing members of on-going research and events in the co-op calendar.

Inquiries:
Inquiries concerning the objectives of the conference, format or content of the papers and other topics related to the Workshop should be addressed to Neil Nunn, Workshop Coordinator at:
or

Complete Workshop Organizing Committee:
Dr. Ian MacPherson – Co-Director, Canadian Social Economy Hub
Annie McKitrick -Manager, Canadian Social Economy Hub
Janel Smith – Workshop Coordinator (English), Coordinator Student Steering Committee
Mélanie Hamel – Workshop Coordinator (French), Coordinator Student Steering Committee
Lena Soots – Member of Student Steering Committee
Suzanne Cook – Member of Student Steering Committee
Rose Cole – Member of Student Steering Committee

The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) is adding its voice to the many groups supporting the renewal and expansion of the Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI).

Canada’s national co-op associations are asking co-ops, members and co-op supporters across the country to join the campaign to renew and expand the Co-operative Development Initiative (CDI), a federal program that helps promote and develop new and emerging co-ops. As the Conservative Government and Mr Flaherty put together their economic recovery plan for the end of January, they need to be reminded that the Co-operative Development Initiative could play an important part.

CDI is a unique partnership program between the federal government, the Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) and the Conseil canadien de la co-opération et de la mutualité (CCCM). It provides technical assistance and project grants to help co-ops get off the ground. 

In the first five years, the current CDI has helped create 200 new co-operatives, delivered advisory services to almost 1,500 new and existing co-operatives, and held more than 100 training workshops and 2,720 meetings with groups to explore the co-op option. • The Innovations & Research component funded 209 projects to help new and existing co-ops and study new ways of using the co-op model. • Since 2006, Ag-CDI has supported 60 value-added and bio-energy co-operatives. 

This program is scheduled to expire in March 2009, and the CCA and the CCCM have proposed a new and expanded CDI that would increase funding for advisory services, create a new co-operative loan fund where co-ops can access development capital, and continue providing project assistance. The new program would also continue the Agricultural CDI, which assists bio-energy and value-added agricultural co-ops.

We encourage you to write to Agriculture Minister, Gerry Ritz ( ), whose department is responsible for administering the program, as well as Finance Minister, Jim Flaherty (), and your Member of Parliament. Please do this before January 23, 2009. 

For more information on CDI and an electronic letter that will allow you to quickly e-mail your MP, visit www.coopscanada.coop/CDI.

• To read the letter that the Canadian CED Network submitted, please click here.
• Click here to download a letter template that you can sign and send in.
• CDI information booklet

The Canadian CED Network Membership Committee is looking for new members. Currently, there are several positions open.

The Membership Committee is one of the Canadian CED Network’s four standing committees. The purpose of the committee is to guide the Network regarding member retention and recruitment and provide advice to the Board of Directors on member benefi ts and services to support the members’ capacity to advance CED across Canada. The Membership Committee has identifi ed three areas of focus: a more inclusive and comprehensive committee; a pan-Canadian membership survey; and a member retention and recruitment strategy.

For more information click here>>

If you would like to join the committee, please submit an expression of interest
outlining your experience and interest in the work of the committee to the Membership
Committee Chair, Brad Franck, at by Monday, January 5, 2009.

 

Emerging Leaders Committe Members Led Workshop at World Youth Congress, Quebec City, 2008

Social enterprise has been the subject of increased interest and activity in Canada and overseas, as citizens strive to balance the economic, social and environmental outcomes of their activities. Among youth in particular, there is a sense that we cannot continue with “business as usual,” as we seek innovative ways to address the challenges of global warming, a flagging global economy, costly conflicts, and globalization.

On Wednesday August 13, 2008, members of the Emerging Leaders Committee of the Canadian CED Network (CCEDNet) conducted a workshop on youth and social enterprise in Canada at the 4th World Youth Congress, “Regeneration 2008,” which took place at Laval University in Quebec City. Within the global context described above, the workshop’s primary objectives were to introduce an international youth audience to how youth are engaged in social enterprise in Canada.

To download a summary of the workshop proceedings and outcomes, click here>>

Urge our government to create an economic stimulus package that supports community-driven solutions and protects communities!

At this time, we ask our membership to urge the federal government to create an economic stimulus package that maximizes community benefit. There are thousands of Canadian CED and social economy organizations already working effectively to create economic opportunities in their local contexts. With some strategic, significant, and timely investment they could scale up their impact, with real and measurable outcomes on jobs, enterprises, community assets, and local economic stimulation.

As the Canadian CED Network continues to engage all levels of government, you can get involved by: writing or emailing your MP, participating in the online consulations, attending an in-person consultation event, telling friends and colleagues, responding to surveys and polls, or writing a letter to your local paper.

CCEDNet has sent a letter to the federal government outlining immediate investment options to maximize economic stimulus and community benefit. This letter is being mailed to the recipients indicated, and emailed to Canadian MPs. Members of our board and committees will also be attending the in-person consultation meetings listed below. We will continue to do our very best to update members on the outcomes of our mobilization efforts. 

How you can get involved:

The Finance Minister is organizing pre-budget hearings by invitation only in
5 cities in the next few weeks. This is in addition to the on-line consultations happening.

Here are the locations of the meetings:

Saint John, New Brunswick
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Montréal, Quebec
Thornhill, Ontario
Victoria, British Columbia

To request an invite, email Minister Flaherty at and/or call (613) 996-7861.

Or try through a Conservative MP in your region.

Click here to participate in the online consultations.

The year is coming to a close with a mix of optimism, apprehension, and uncertainty. Optimism for the wind of change that has blown over the United States and elected the first black man and a former community organizer to the White House. Apprehension about the growing global economic downturn and what it will mean for both the communities we serve and our collective ability to respond. And uncertainty as the political landscape in Ottawa changes in unprecedented ways.

The regular failings and limitations of the market economy have often been the catalyst for community innovation demonstrated by our members time and again across the country. Locally-led solutions to economic and social dislocation can buffer communities from the impacts of a likely recession, and protect our most disadvantaged community members. This means that our work building stronger local economies, tackling poverty, and promoting investment in sustainable communities is needed now more than ever. 

Since our founding in 1999, the Canadian CED Network has grown to over 600 members representing thousands of Canadians across the country. Over the last decade, our members and staff have worked on generating resources and support for innovative initiatives in poverty reduction, grassroots action, creating healthy communities and advancing policy improvements. Most important, our Network has enabled people working in CED across Canada to connect with one another, sharing innovations and learning about effective solutions to common problems. 

In addition to serving as a national voice and platform for collective action, The Canadian CED Network continues to offer opportunities for peer learning, collaboration, regional and national networking, resources and a space for members to organize around specific issues. Regional and national member newsletters keep you informed of these and other activities.  Making Waves examines the successes and challenges of our work from a front-line perspective, and our website (www.ccednet-rcdec.ca) offers new opportunities for on-line information sharing. CCEDNet’s national conference continues to be the foremost opportunity for CED practitioners to engage with one another and address emerging issues, and of course membership provides substantial discounts on conference registration rates.

Your membership is essential to our success as a movement. Membership is based on the calendar year, meaning that it is time for membership renewal.

To renew your membership online, click here>>

or contact Bianca Mathieu at

2009 NATIONAL CED CONFERENCE REQUEST FOR PRESENTATIONS –
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Full Circle: Sharing a Vision for the 7th Generation

June 3-6, 2009
University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB

In every deliberation we must consider the impact on the seventh generation…
– Great Law of the Iroquois

The 2009 National CED Conference Committee is accepting ‘Expressions of Interest’ for presenters and presentations. Concurrent workshops are scheduled for June 4 & 5. These workshops should represent a range of CED streams and lenses that reflect our member priorities and provide topics of interest to all participants. Please view our workshop sheet by clicking here. This year, a key theme will be on Indigenous models of CED.

You are invited to respond by filling out the Expression of Interest Form (PDF | WORD) for consideration as we develop the workshops and program for this conference. Please identify where your proposed presentation would fit on the workshop worksheet. Deadline for submissions is January 08, 2009. Please contact Lydia Giles (), National Conference Coordinator, if you have questions about the process for submission.

The 2009 National CED Conference will be held June 3-6 at the University of Winnipeg in downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba. Plan to join more than 400 community economic development workers, volunteers, professionals and supporters from across Canada to explore ideas and share insights on community economic development activities and policies.

Come also to help us celebrate the Canadian Community Economic Development Network’s 10th anniversary!

• Expression of Interest Form
  PDF | WORD
• Workshop Sheet

December 8, 2008

This summary report on labour market and community economic development opportunities in Surrey, Burnaby and New Westminster is based on information from the following sources:

• Key informant interviews with:
  • Employers
  • Youth
  • Employment Assistance Services -Youth Workers
• Existing research
• Mapping of current community resources
• Community Economic Development Agencies

This report was compiled as part of the “Youth in Charge: Leading Change through CED” project. This project, sponsored by Service Canada’s “Youth Awareness” program, engages youth in Community Economic Development (CED) to create economic and employment opportunities for young people in BC communities.

The goal of Youth in Charge is to create community action plans with a variety of stakeholders, which enable young people to create community economic opportunities in their local areas. The target population focuses specifically on young people with barriers to employment, and the information outlined in this report is based on the perceived needs of this target group.

To download the report click here>>

FEATURE: What if they threw a recession and nobody showed up?

(From CCEDNet’s BC/Yukon Newsletter)

By Nicole Chaland and Nathan Hunter

It’s Henry Paulson’s party, and he can cry if he wants to, we just don’t have to be there. And that’s exactly what the Community Economic Development movement has decided to do, and we won’t be attending the recession either.

Credit unions – a classic Community Economic Development model – as opposed to banks, are owned entirely by their customers. If you have a chequing account at a credit union, you are an owner of that credit union. By definition, credit unions are locally-owned, locally-managed and locally-governed. Shares are issued to members and are not sold on the stock market. They also tend to reinvest profits into their community. As such, credit unions -as this article explains- while not immune, are less susceptible to the volatility of the international and financial market.

Housing Trusts-another tried and true CED model- set aside land, forever, for affordable housing. Individual homeowners, co-operatives and non-profit housing associations purchase long terms leases from the trust and own their buildings outright. Individual homeowners buy and sell apartments or homes through the same real estate market as everyone; prices fluctuate with the market but are lower because the trust owns the land. It’s easier for co-operatives and non-profit housing associations to develop affordable housing because they do not need to worry about the cost of the land. Trusts are common-place in Canadian ecological conservation efforts but haven’t been applied to housing widely. In the US however, where philanthropy is more common place, housing trusts are a staple ingredient in affordable housing efforts. Recently, they are being re-examined in light of the recent sharp increase in foreclosures.

Housing experts across the country have their eye on community land trusts as proven means of preventing foreclosures. A survey released March 2008 found only two foreclosures among a national sample of 3,115 land trust homeowners. From Holly Sklar, “No Foreclosures Here.”

If a community collectively owns its financial services and land for housing it is more resilient against the whims of the global market. Ultimately we are experiencing first-hand what happens when decisions are made by a handful of people who are neither accountable nor altruistic. Communities have relinquished responsibility for the health of their economies; communities can and should ask senior levels of government for help to reclaim responsibility through Community Economic Development.

An economic stimulus package can either contribute to short-term economic growth, possibly benefiting the very people and mentality which caused this mess in the first place and we can shut our eyes til the next economic shock comes along or the money can be used to directly benefit Canadians within a sustainable economic and environmentally sound model, and get us off this track.

Community Economic Development isn’t a bubble, it’s a rock, and a foundation, and one that we believe a healthy, sustainable community can be built upon.

November 27, 2008

Grant program will help rural communities adapt and diversify

Funding will support new and diverse economic opportunities

Edmonton — Almost $20 million over the next three years will be available to rural communities and regions to help them address economic, environmental and social challenges.

“While Alberta’s economy remains strong, communities that rely on agriculture and forestry are experiencing some challenging times,” said Agriculture and Rural Development Minister George Groeneveld. “This new funding will support community-based projects that help increase skills, encourage entrepreneurship, innovation and promote economic diversification through valued-added initiatives.”

The Rural Community Adaptation Grant Program is designed to assist rural communities that are experiencing or are facing future hardship caused by global economic volatility, a significant environmental event, or reliance on a single industry or employer.

The three-year, $15-million program will support community-based projects that result in more diverse economic opportunities. Grant amounts range from $10,000 to a maximum of $500,000 per project. Another $4.9 million in grant funding will also go directly to 12 rural-based Regional Economic Development Alliances across Alberta to support community and regionally led transition projects.

“REDAs are the foundation for regional economic development in Alberta,” said Iris Evans, Minister of Finance and Enterprise. “By ensuring they have the tools and resources they need to succeed, Alberta’s economy as a whole will benefit and evolve.”

The funding is part of the Government of Alberta’s Community and Regional Adaptation and Transition initiative to help communities and regions adjust to changing economic conditions. Communities interested in accessing the Rural Community and Adaptation Grant Program can contact Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s Rural Development Division at 780-427-2409, email or visit www.rural.alberta.ca.

Overall funding for the initiative was made available through The Government of Canada’s $1-billion Community Development Trust to help provinces and territories assist communities, organizations and workers move toward greater economic self-reliance. Community Development Trust funding supports two priorities of the Government of Alberta:

• enhancing value-added activity, increasing innovation and improving the long-term sustainability of Alberta’s economy; and
• promoting strong and vibrant communities and reducing crime so Albertans feel safe.

Media inquiries may be directed to:
Ron Popek
Rural Development Division
Agriculture and Rural Development
780-422-1858

Jason Maloney
Communications
Finance and Enterprise
780-422-9029

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000

This research table is a comprehensive listing of the research being done through the Social Economy research program. There is an impressive array of new knowledge being created about the Social Economy, its outcomes, and its strengths and weaknesses in Canada. This table includes links to findings and publications.

Rupert Downing is CCEDNet’s Co-Director of the national community research partnership on the Social Economy (the CSEHub) and co-manages national research and knowledge mobilization with
Matthew Thompson, CCEDNet’s Research Program Assistant. There are over 300 community and university-based Social Economy researchers across the country.

Click here to view the document: WORD | PDF