Winnipeg, MANITOBA - The Canadian Community Economic Development (CED) Network, in partnership with local community organizations, including the United Way of Winnipeg and Investors Group, is hosting a free community event on how community economic development (CED) can help reduce poverty locally. The number of attendees is confirmed at 400, and includes representatives of local community organizations and community members, as well as national experts on community economic development.

With the growing global economic downturn, community-based solutions are increasingly being sought to reduce poverty in communities. This is a unique chance to interview local and national experts on poverty reduction while hearing stories of how local people have worked to revitalize communities through CED. Come find out what community economic development is, how it has helped transform communities across Canada, and the unique character of social economy initiatives in the province.

Highlights from the program include:
• Feeding Manitoba One Cow at a Time: The Harvest Moon Society Local Food Initiative
• Migration as an Economic Growth Strategy
• Co-op Wind Farms - Learning from our Neighbours
• From Standing Trees to Standing Homes

Other points of interest:

1. Mike Toye, Paul Chamberlain, Matt Thompson, Brendan Reimer - The Canadian CED Network: Experts on community economic development and the social economy.
2. Talk to representatives from local organizations, including: The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, Inner-City Renovations, Enviro-Safe Cleaning Company, North End Community Renewal Corporation, United Way of Winnipeg, SEED Winnipeg.
3. Topical discussions: strategies for affordable housing, rural revitalization, immigrant and refugee settlement, inner-city poverty reduction initiatives, youth employment projects, and co-operative and social enterprise development.
4. This local CED event is the largest in Canada outside of Quebec. More information is available at www.ccednet-rcdec.ca.

The Manitoba CED Network is the regional office of the Canadian Community Economic Development (CED) Network. The Canadian CED Network is a national, member-based organization committed to creating economic opportunities and enhancing social conditions in Canada. The membership of the Network is made up of hundreds of community organizations, municipalities, foundations, and people working in CED from every region of the country. The Canadian CED Network has regional offices located across Canada. Community Economic Development (CED) is community-led action to create economic opportunities and better social conditions, particularly for those who are most disadvantaged.

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For more information, or to schedule interviews please contact:
Lydia Giles, National Learning Events Coordinator, Canadian CED Network,
Phone: 204-944-0546 or email: lgiles@ccednet-rcdec.ca