Winnipeg, MANITOBA - During CED Week, declared by the Province of Manitoba earlier this week, The Canadian Community Economic Development (CED) Network is hosting the 2009 National CED Conference at the University of Winnipeg, June 3-5, 2009. The number of attendees is confirmed at 400, and includes representatives of local community organizations and community members, as well as national and international 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, national and international 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:

• Welcome by Minister Steve Ashton at the 10th Anniversary Gala Dinner, Thursday, June 4 at 8:30pm
• Opening Plenary, Sharing a Vision for the 7th Generation, with Clayton Thomas Muller (recognized as one of the ‘Top 30 Under 30' activists in North America by Utne Magazine), Thursday, June 4, 8:30am in Riddell Hall

Other points of interest:

1. Mike Toye, Rupert Downing, 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.

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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