Uniterra invites the population to express themselves on the Food Crisis

Ottawa – November 12th marks the official launch on the Uniterra.ca website of the online Forum: “A World Without Hunger Thanks to the Farmers’ Movement” held through the Journées québécoises de la solidarité internationale (JQSI). JQSI are taking place November 12-23 within the province of Quebec by members of the Quebec Association for International Cooperation organisations (AQOCI). This annual event provides an occasion to discuss and gather information on various subjects related to International Development.

“Now, the tragic situation that poor families face is well known; they spend 80% of their limited resources on food and they cannot pay the rising price of grain, which has increased by 50 to 100%”, says Michel Chaurette, president of the Alliance Agricole Internationale and Executive Director of Centre for Education and International Cooperation (CECI). “This Forum is an opportunity to reflect on the role Farmers’ Movements play in the Food Crisis”, adds Sylvain Matte, Director of the Uniterra Programme.

Uniterra, one of Canada’s leading volunteer cooperation programmes, is a joint effort between World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI). Uniterra allows citizens and organizations to help reach the 8 Millennium Development Goals to reduce world poverty.

Uniterra Partners in Canada and in Africa will contribute to the online Forum by providing texts to stimulate participation in the online discussion. Jacques Desjardins from the Alliance Agricole Internationale, Quebec, Prof. Lynda Lusby of Acadia University, Nova Scotia, Mr. Théophile Dipama from the Interprofessional Committee of Rice in Burkina Faso (CIR-B) and Mr. Sidy Ba, manager of the Frame for Dialogue of Peanuts Producers in Senegal (CCPA) are a few examples of some participants submitting comments in the online froum. The forum will be facilitated by two current volunteers: Kelli Fraser, working with the Federation of Community Forestry Users of Nepal (FECOFUN) and Suzanne Comment, with the National Coordination of Farmers’ Organisations (CNOP), Mali.

In addition to the Forum, Uniterra will also be organizing various activities with volunteers for JQSI.

On November 15 will be a day to exchange ideas on Food Sovereignty at Université du Québec à Montreéal (UQAM). Three international volunteers will discuss the various challenges currently surrounding Food Sovereignty in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal through the Panel-Discussion, “A World Without Hunger Thanks to the Farmers’ Movement”.

Local Committee students from Université du Québec à Montréal, Université Laval, Vanier College and Université du Québec en Outaouais will organize various conferences, kiosks and Food Fairs on their respective campuses. Also, on November 20th from 5 to 9 pm at the Marché Jean-Talon, Quebec Without Borders interns will launch the “Mali, a look at an agricultural cooperative” photo exhibit. This exhibit will be on display until November 28th.

Uniterra mobilizes over 400 volunteers of all ages, annually, on various projects in 13 countries across the world. These volunteers help over 125 partners of the global South in development initiatives to visibly reduce poverty in their communities. Partner groups returned volunteers and Local Committee members mobilize the Canadian population in support of international cooperation and achieving the eight Millennium Development Goals. To date, volunteers have reached more than half-a-million Canadians to underline the importance of International Development.

For more information, please contact: Rob Milchard
Communications Officer
World University Service of Canada
613-761-3684

Montreal, 28 October 2008 – Nancy Neamtan, President and CEO of Chantier de l’économie sociale, today received the Neil Reimer prize at the congress of the Canadian Union of Communications, Energy and Paperworkers (CEP) currently taking place at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.

The CEP has given this award in recognition of Reimer’s contribution to public good during his entire career. “I am very proud to receive this award offered by the CEP. He just somehow recognize the importance of the alliance built over the past few decades between the players union movement, the social economy and local development for economic development centered on human beings. When a financial crisis caused by excessive greed shakes the world, it is more important than ever to strengthen solidarity among all the movements that share a vision of development. I thank with all my heart the members of the CEP in Quebec who nominated me,” said Nancy Neamtan.

Neil Reimer is director emeritus of the National Union of Workers of energy and chemistry. He was at the heart of the New Democratic Party in Alberta and assumed the presidency from 1963 to 1968.

www.chantier.qc.ca

The strategic alliance between the Canadian Community Economic Development Network and the Chantier de l’economie sociale is based upon the mutual objective to create a strategic partnership between the two organizations that will:

• impact the public policy framework to create an environment supportive of CED and social economy
• contribute to the broadening of community, private and public sector engagement in social economy and CED
• support the implementation of community economic development and social economy principles and practices in local communities
• transfer knowledge and information between members of the two organizations

 

CCEDNet’s Emerging Leaders committee is looking for new members! Join our exciting committee of young people working in the CED field. Deadline: November 17th, 2008.

Click here for more information>>

or Visit the Emerging Leaders section of our site>>

 

2008 – CD/CED Gathering

This year you have the incredible opportunity to attend two of Canada’s biggest CED events right here in Winnipeg! On November 28th, start with a pancake breakfast to celebrate Winnipeg’s inner-city and then head over the 2008 CD/CED Gathering for a full day of learning, networking and inspiration!

7-10:00 am:

LITE’s 12th Annual Wild Blueberry Pancake Breakfast!

This year’s Breakfast is November 28, 2008 at the Indian and Métis Friendship Centre (45 Robinson, at Dufferin). This community-partner catered breakfast is a celebration of CED in Winnipeg’s inner city and is a highlight of the LITE campaign.

9:30am – 4pm:

The 2008 CD/CED Gathering!

Join others engaged in all aspects of community economic development for a full day of networking, learning, sharing, and inspiration. With over 30 workshops, this free, all-day event takes place on November 28th at St. John’s High School in Winnipeg’s North End (401 Church Avenue).

CCEDNet congratulates Board of Directors member Victoria Morris on being named Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Association.

(*From Saskatchewan Co-operative Association News Bulletin) 

Announcement of Saskatchewan Co-operative Association Executive Director

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Saskatchewan Co-operative Association (SCA), President Beryl Bauer is pleased to announce the selection of Victoria Morris as Executive Director for the organization.

Victoria has worked with Saskatchewan Co-operative Association since 2006 as Program Officer. From this role, she brings knowledge of Saskatchewan’s co-operative sector, a passion for co-operatives and a strong understanding of the work of SCA to the Executive Director position. Prior to joining SCA, Victoria worked with CBC, Youth Action Now and a number of other community based initiatives, primarily in youth leadership, capacity building and community economic development.

She is currently serving a second term on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network and she has recently completed terms on the Boards of Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op and the Saskatoon Potters Guild.

Victoria is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration in Community Economic Development through Cape Breton University.

SCA welcomes the new perspectives and continued support that Victoria will bring to the position.

 

 

New immigration patterns are changing the face of Canada, and the Social Economy must adapt to the shift. Participate in an engaging telelearning session as presenters Stephen Ameyaw and Lindsey McBain explore some of the Community Economic Development (CED) solutions that are working well with immigrants and refugees. Join us to examine the following:

* How can we best share CED’s sound fundamentals?
* Why is Social Enterprise a good fit for newcomers?
* What challenges are faced in applying CED to a newcomer context?

Please join us!

Call Logistics:
* Session Date: Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
* 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 October 27 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.

Limited number of phone lines for session – Register soon!

Background readings:
* Newcomers and Community Economic Development (CED)
(Presentation – PDF, 17.7 MB)

Stephen Ameyaw
Dr. Stephen Ameyaw (Ph.D, University of Waterloo) brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Social Economy. For more than 20 years he has earned a reputation for conducting research in indigenous environments and developing anti-poverty strategies for the urban and rural poor in Africa, Asia and Canada. A development planner by training, Stephen contributes time and initiatives in the poverty alleviation, health and community economic development arenas. He is an active member of the Simon Fraser Univeristy; Ghana’s HIV/AIDS Project’s advisory committee and the Canadian Community Economic Development Network’s (CCEDNet) Policy Council and Immigrant and Refugee Action Network (ICAN). Stephen has been a member of the Centre for the Advancement of Native Development Officers (CANDO) education committee for the past 10 years. He has a varied experience working in: education, course design, research and a member of several standing committees. Stephen’s passion for bringing knowledge and education to those who need them the most has led him to conduct research and implement projects with the Bushman in the Kalahari in Botswana, the Masai in Tanzania, the Inuit and First Nations communities in Canada and several indigenous groups in Russia and market women in Ghana. He has become one of the few experts who understands the dynamics of indigenous knowledge and culture in development thinking and practice. Stephen has taught in several universities including Calgary and Simon Fraser. Recently, he has been teaching at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT), a First Nations institution and has helped dveloped partnership degree programs between Simon Fraser and NVIT. His areas of research experience include: gender and socioeconomic development; sustainable community development; regional/urban planning; and poverty alleviation. Stephen served as co-coordinator of the Ghana country study and was the contributor of several articles to the book “Community Development Around the World” edited by H. Campfens (University of Toronto Press, 1997). He has published many research papers and reports and worked on many donor (including CIDA and IDRC) funded projects in Africa. For leaders, academics, executives and professionals, requiring expert assistance in communtiy-based project management, action research, strategic planning and cross-cultral relations, Stephen Ameyaw brings a wealth of experience.

Lindsey McBain
Lindsey McBain is a graduate of the University of Manitoba and has worked in both local and international development. His work in CED has re-rooted him in his own city, connecting him to people and ideas that bring inspiration and determination to the work of CED. He contends that CED’s emphasis on capacity building and participation offer a solid proposition for the long-term stability of struggling communities.

Two Sessions of the third team meeting of the CSERP Atlantic Node- The Social Economy and Sustainability Research Network:

SATURDAY, OCT. 18, 2008
9:15-10:45am
11:00-12:30am

The third team meeting is being held in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, co-hosted by our own research cluster, Sub-node 6, and community partner Community Services Council Newfoundland and Labrador.

Two of our team discussions, with invited guests, will be audio-cast live to the internet and you can listen by going to the following link at the time of the sessions: http://groundswellcollective.com/ses

To participate in these sessions, send e-mail questions or comments to: seproject at msvu.ca at the time of the session, or prior to the date.

Over the last 60 years, Canada’s overall food system has become more geared to large-scale systems of production, distribution and retail. There is a greater emphasis on export markets for many of our food products. At the same time, we import more food – products which cannot be produced in Canada but also food products which we can grow here.

There is now a growing interest in the production, processing, and buying of local food. New “local food systems” are being set up to organize the various components that will meet the needs of all the stakeholders in the community or region.

This brief examines the local food initiatives or components that comprise these new local food systems, some of the research results, social and economic benefits, and the role that the co-operative movement and governments can play to facilitate the development of local food.

To read the full document, please click here.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Telecommunities Canada (TC) today launched the “Internet for Everyone”
campaign (www.internetforeveryone.ca) that seeks to put a national ICT strategy back on the federal agenda.

“In the current election, none of the political parties are treating the absence of any national strategy for the uses of the internet for development as an issue,” says Garth Graham, Internet strategist and member of the TC board of directors.

As part of any such national strategy, the primary concern of TC members, community-based practitioners who are supporting this campaign, will be the question of digital inclusion. Once a leader in Internet access, Canada is now facing a harsh reality as the early promise of achieving universal digital inclusion has not been realized. According to a recent OECD study (2007), Canada went from 2nd to 10th place on the list of connected nations with only 26.6 broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants.

“We started down this road to digital inclusion with high ideals, lots of political will and excellent programs in place. It’s incredible that we have allowed our position to slip so dramatically,” says TC president Gareth Shearman.

Over the past five years, federally supported programs directed towards those with limited access and ability to use the technology have been struggling with ever diminishing financial support. The Community Access Program (CAP) and its companion Youth Initiative Program (CAP-YI) are the backbone of a national network of community technology centers that help millions of people annually to incorporate new technologies into their lives. Despite the cuts, they remain vibrant centres in local community’s proof of the need for and commitment of local organizations and volunteers.

These sites and their young facilitators, along with a legion of volunteers, provide job search and software training, technology literacy programs, access to community services, and cultural integration opportunities. They partner with the local private and public sector to provide services and experienced personnel in many different areas from film editing to website building. Along the way, thousands of CAP-YI trained youth gain experience that helps them move on in the world. Both internal and external evaluations of this program have agreed that it has been a win-win relationship for years.

There has been plenty of support, both from the public and private sector, for allocating some of the spectrum auction proceeds toward a national ICT strategy. “The unanticipated success of the spectrum auction provides an opportunity for us to get back into the game,” says Mr. Shearman.

The “Internet for Everyone” campaign will ask federal candidates where they stand on this issue.

Telecommunities Canada (www.tc.ca) is a national coalition of groups that promote and support community technology initiatives.

For further information please contact:

Gareth Shearman, President, Telecommunities Canada
250-479-2851

British Columbia:
Bev Collins
General Manager
Pacific Community Networks Association
604 483 3110

Saskatchewan:
Marie Prebushewski
Executive Director
Thickwood Hills Business & Learning Network
306 549-4726

Manitoba:
Clarice Leader
Executive Director
Manitoba E-Association
204 781-6937

Ontario:
Peter Frampton
Executive Director
The Learning Enrichment Foundation
416-760-2560

Quebec :
Monique Chartrand
Directrice générale
Communautique
514 948-6644 poste 221

Northwest Territories:
Cheryl Deforest
Executive Director
Smart Communities Society
Telephone: (867) 873-6451

Nunavut :
Darlene Thompson
Community Access Program Administrator
Nunavut Department of Education/N-CAP
867-975-5631

 

On October 17-19, 2008 Stand Up & Take Action Against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals

Stand Up is a global mobilisation to end poverty and inequality and for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Last year, 43.7 million people joined Stand Up worldwide, setting a new world record. This year, we are asking people to Stand Up and Take Action on October 17-19, to ensure governments worldwide hear our demands to end poverty and inequality.Now or never, our actions count. Have your say by joining the biggest global mobilization against poverty and inequality and for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Join millions worldwide to STAND UP and TAKE ACTION against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals.

Last year, over 43 million people Stood Up to demand that world leaders keep their promises to end poverty and inequality . This year, help us break that record and send an even louder message to our governments.

Join the global movement of people who refuse to stay seated or silent in the face of poverty and broken promises to end it!

STAND UP and TAKE ACTION against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals.
Why Stand Up?

In 2000, leaders of 189 countries signed the Millennium Declaration agreeing to do everything in their power to end poverty. They pledged to do this by achieving the Millennium Development Goals, a roadmap to end extreme poverty by 2015.

Still, every day, 50,000 people die as a result of extreme poverty and the gap between rich and poor people is increasing. Nearly half the world’s population live in poverty, 70% are women. We have the power to change this.

Campaigners worldwide will STAND UP and TAKE ACTION to push their governments for more and better aid, debt cancellation, education for all boys and girls, healthcare, trade justice, gender equality and public accountability.

 

Visit: standagainstpoverty.org for more ideas, to download an event toolkit or to register your event.

YOUTH SPEAK UP – Will the candidates listen?

CCEDNet is proud to be part of YOUTH COUNT an alliance of not for profit organizations that promote youth engagement that has launched a website meant to bring youth issues to the forefront of the 2008 federal election.

WWW.YOUTHCOUNT.CA
allows users to quickly and easily send emails to the candidates in
their home ridings asking them to position themselves on this issue. 

The coalition’s goal is the adoption of a National Youth Policy that would serve as the framework for future youth development initiatives in Canada.

To download the full news release click here>>

 

The Canadian CED Network’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Dan Doyle will be joining CCEDNet’s management team as the new Director of Finance and Administration.

Dan brings a wealth of financial and administrative management experience, most recently as Director of Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer at the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC – http://www.srdc.org ). At SRDC, Dan played a significant role in building the administrative side of the organization over the past 15 years as it grew from three to forty employees working in two provincial offices and several field offices.

Complementing this experience is Dan’s personal interest in social enterprise and a desire to make a difference in communities. His team approach and entrepreneurial spirit will serve CCEDNet well as we move into our second decade of operation.

The Board would also like to take a moment to express a special thanks to outgoing Financial Manager Richard Chamberlain for his tremendous contribution to CCEDNet’s development over the last two years and especially for his continued support through this period of transition.

Dan will be working out of our Ottawa office (location to be announced) and can be reached at