CSEHub is pleased to invite your participation in TWO upcoming free telelearning sessions!
Telelearning Session 12: International Microfinance
In recent years, donors and international aid organizations have been turning to microfinance as a way of providing their self-employed clients with financial services to support their businesses and households. These services have expanded to include not only loans and savings, but also insurance, money transfers and electronic banking as well. Join us as we explore some of the issues surrounding international microfinance, including:
What is the difference between international and domestic microfinance?
Under what conditions do international microfinance programs thrive?
What are the challenges faced by international microfinance programs?
Sign up today to participate in this engaging telelearning session, featuring Nanci Lee (Writer, Microfinance Consultant, and Educator) and Dr. Julie Drolet (Writer and Assistant Professor at Thompson Rivers University), with facilitation by Annie McKitrick of the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships.
Spaces are free, but limited – Register today!
Call Logistics:
* Session Date: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009
* Call begins at 9:00 am PST, 10:00 am MST, 11:00 am CST, 12:00 pm EST, 1:00 pm AST, and 1:30 pm NST
* Call in information will be given upon registration
* Register before March 1st to obtain dial-in information and background papers
* This session is in English
Session Format: 1 Hour
Welcome: 5 minutes
Presentation: 10 minutes from each speaker
Discussion: 35 minutes
Registration: By Email or by Phone
Register by e-mailing with your name, location, and work or volunteer position. We will provide instructions on how to access the telelearning forum. Unfortunately, the session is only open to those residing in Canada. To register by phone call 1-250-472-4976.
Telelearning Session 13: Microfinance in a Canadian Context
The provision of financial services to low-income clients is an under-examined facet of the economic system. Proponents of microfinance believe that meeting the financial needs of such community members can be a sustainable answer to solving the problems associated with poverty in our society. Join us as we explore some of the issues surrounding microfinance in Canada, including:
What is the significance of microfinance programs in the Canadian context?
What is the need for microfinance programs?
Under what conditions do microfinance programs thrive in Canada?
What are the challenges faced by Canadian microfinance programs?
Sign up today to participate in this engaging telelearning session, featuring Susan Henry (Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Alterna Savings) and Anahi Rivadeneira (Microfinance Program Officer at Vancity), with facilitation by Seth Asimakos of the Saint John Community Loan Fund.
Spaces are free, but limited – Register today!
Call Logistics:
* Session Date: Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
* Call begins at 9:00 am PST, 10:00 am MST, 11:00 am CST, 12:00 pm EST, 1:00 pm AST, and 1:30 pm NST
* Call in information will be given upon registration
* Register before March 8th to obtain dial-in information and background papers
* This session is in English
Session Format: 1 Hour
Welcome: 5 minutes
Presentation: 10 minutes from each speaker
Discussion: 35 minutes
Registration: By Email or by Phone
Register by e-mailing with your name, location, and work or volunteer position. We will provide instructions on how to access the telelearning forum. Unfortunately, the session is only open to those residing in Canada. To register by phone call 1-250-472-4976.
Check out the CSEHub Telelearning page for more information and to listen to the podcasts after these events!
The blending of social and economic objectives is taking root
across the world as the best means to replace dependency and exclusion
with self-determination and self-sufficiency.
The Social Economy stories are designed to provide practitioners’ perspectives on what the Social Economy means to them and their communities. These stories capture the human face of the sector and demonstrate the Social Economy as a real movement that is addressing the social, economic and environmental challenges of today in integrative and innovative ways.
March 7th, 9:00am – 4:30pm
University of Victoria, MacLaurin Building
Morning and afternoon workshops include:
Health
Food Security
Ecological Economics
Participatory Economics
Co-ops
First Nations
Social Enterprise
Community Economic Development
This event is free and open to all members of the public and university community.
Speakers:
Dr. James Tully, Department of Political Science, University of Victoria The Big Picture: The Politics of An Economy
Dr. Mark Roseland, Centre for Sustainable Community Development, Simon Fraser University Community Capital: A Sustainable Approach to Community Development
Dr. Helen Haugh, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, UK There Is Another way: The Social Economy
Mr. Doug Wright, The Co-operators Another Way of Doing Things: The Co-operative Model
If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Chaland at
BC CED Network joins organizations in call for legislated poverty reduction plan
The BC CED Network joins with CCPA and 200 other
organizations and community leaders from across BC to release an open
letter calling on all political parties to commit to a legislated
poverty reduction plan.
The open letter is signed by numerous prominent groups – including the
United Way of the Lower Mainland, Vancity Credit Union, the Public
Health Association of BC, the BC Healthy Living Alliance, the BC
Federation of Labour…and dozens of faith leaders, health
organizations, doctors, businesses, First Nations and Aboriginal
groups, labour unions, immigrant and refugee organizations, community
service agencies, municipal councils, women’s groups, and many more.
You can read the full open letter, list of signatories and news release
at bcpovertyreduction.ca.
BC has the highest poverty rate in Canada, and the highest child
poverty rate for five years in a row. We hope this effort will show our
provincial leaders that there is broad-based support for an ambitious
but realistic plan to reduce poverty and homelessness in our province.
Please add your voice to the call:
Visit www.bcpovertyreduction.ca and sign your name the open letter calling for a legislated poverty reduction plan.
Ask organizations you’re involved with to sign the open letter.
Spread the word: forward this email to your friends and contacts. Or visit www.bcpovertyreduction.ca and share it on your Facebook profile, or through other social networking tools.
Achieving sustainability requires a multi-disciplinary approach and a broad social commitment. It also requires the energy and passion of youth.
That’s why The Co-operators has launched an unprecedented partnership of business, academia and non-government organisations to bring together students from all fields of study from across Canada to develop and implement real sustainability solutions for their current lives and their future careers.
All conference related expenses will be covered for selected participants. Your contribution is time and commitment.
September 24-27th, 2009 at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario
180 university & college students from across Canada
Explore tangible multi-industry and sector sustainability solutions with national business and academic leaders
Build networks and develop skills to lead sustainability initiatives long after the conference
Network and learn from students like you who are excited, empowered & equipped for change
Share this message or URL with your network, especially with students. To learn more visit www.impactyouthsustainability.ca or contact us at .
Conference partners: The Co-operators, Research Network for Business Sustainability, David Suzuki Foundation, The Natural Step, the University of Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University, AIESEC, Coopsco, the University of Saskatchewan’s Centre for the Study of Co-operatives and the Richard Ivey School of Business.
Federal budget 2009 adds big dollars to federal spending, but fails to target those investments at the Canadians who are suffering the most in the current economic recession, according to the Wellesley Institute, an independent research and policy institute. “The federal government deserves credit for boosting spending to meet Canada’s economic, health and social challenges,” says Rick Blickstead, CEO of the Wellesley Institute. “But it’s not just big spending that counts, it’s smart spending. A bit here and something there don’t add up to an effective and comprehensive plan to build a strong, healthy and equitable economy.” The federal budget fails to meet a number of economic, social and health priorities:
For the three million households precariously housed, today’s federal budget delivers $2 billion. This is far less than the $5 billion-plus being offered to wealthier Canadians who already own homes and cottages and want to build a new deck or pave their driveway.
Wellesley Institute research shows that every $1,000 increase in household income for the lowest-income Canadians delivers substantial health benefits. Today’s federal budget fails to put real dollars in the pockets of the poorest Canadians. Adding benefits for people already receiving Employment Insurance doesn’t help the six out of ten unemployed who can’t even get an EI cheque because of overly strict regulations.
The third sector – non-profit, charitable and voluntary organizations – is a big part of the Canadian economy, generating tens of billions of dollars in economic activity. For years, the government has taken the third sector for granted, and today’s budget continues that pattern of neglect. Third sector groups are on the frontlines in providing practical support to the victims of the economic crisis, but they won’t get any help from the 2009 budget.
Canadians place a high value on our national health care system, and we need to continue to fund innovative and cost-effective health solutions like an expanded national network of community health centres. Today’s budget delivers nothing to expand our health care system.
Transit and other municipal infrastructure spending would provide powerful economic stimulus, and strengthen communities, but federal budget 2009 falls far short of the needs set out by municipalities. And the new program rules and cost-sharing requirements will further restrict any benefit. Asking cash-strapped municipalities to go further into debt to access federal dollars won’t help renew local social and physical infrastructure.
The Wellesley Institute will publish a more detailed budget analysis, including a detailed look at housing and the federal budget, on its web site at www.wellesleyinstitute.com
OTTAWA — Today’s federal budget leaves hundreds of thousands of vulnerable Canadians hanging on a very short rope and won’t provide the immediate stimulus our economy needs, says the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).
The budget fails to expand Employment Insurance (EI) to ensure laid-off Canadians are eligible for benefits and its infrastructure promises require the provinces and municipalities to match funding — a condition that will stall many projects.
“This budget is not equal to the challenges facing the country, nor does it live up to the rhetoric of the Throne Speech delivered only 26 hours before which claimed to protect the vulnerable,” says CCPA Senior Economist Marc Lee.
The omission of major EI reforms in the face of massive unemployment stands as its biggest weakness, says CCPA Senior Economist Armine Yalnizyan.
“Canada is facing a potentially massive wave of economic dislocation as out-of-work Canadians turn to an EI system that is not recession ready,” Yalnizyan says. “Six out of 10 Canadians don’t get EI and everyone agrees that’s a problem, but this government inexplicably decided to ignore the problem – and that will lead to disaster for many.”
Broad-based tax cuts are also a problem, says CCPA Analyst David Macdonald.
“Only 5% of today’s budget is actually devoted to tax measures to help vulnerable low income Canadians,” Macdonald says. “In the coming recession, the government will help you adjust the colour palette of your kitchen, but if you’re poor you’ll be on your own.”
The average Canadian will only get a $300 tax break with low-income Canadians receiving a maximum of only $33, Macdonald says.
Finally, the budget injects much needed infrastructure dollars that could be the engine of job creation. But for every dollar spent in federal infrastructure stimulus, provinces and municipalities must pony up 73 cents for the money to flow — delaying critical job-creating projects that should be stimulating Canada’s economy this year, not next.
For more information:
Contact Kerri-Anne Finn, CCPA Senior Communications Officer, at 613-563-1341 x306
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:
A working title;
The workshop theme(s) being addressed;
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;
Brief biographical information on the author(s); and
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:
A working title;
The conference theme being addressed;
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;
A half page summary of each paper to be included in the panel;
Brief biographical information on each of the authors; and
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
