By: Matthew Thompson
Posted: May 17, 2017
EconoUs2017 is open to everyone.
I wanted to say this first and foremost, in case you think by my attempt at a click-bait title that we wish to exclude anyone. Each of the partner organizations, as you can see by their mission statements, work with inclusivity and shared prosperity as guiding principles. We also understand, as a collective, that the conversations that need to happen, and that will be happening at EconoUs2017, need to include a large and diverse group of people and should encourage participation from everyone. If we work together collaboratively, just imagine the social innovation possible through our cumulative strength!
The list below (in no particular order and by no means exhaustive) captures some of the characteristics of people who have attended the national community economic development (CED) conference in the past. If you see yourself in some of the following, jump into the conversation.
10 Signs That You Are Someone Who Should Attend EconoUs2017
- You try to shop with your values, perhaps by favouring fair trade or organic products, or by shopping at social enterprises or co-operatives.
- You are concerned about climate change and like to imagine an economy that operates in balance with the environment
- You’re encouraged by recent conversations about reconciliation and want to build new systems that don’t leave people poor because of systemic racism.
- You would like to see democratic principles to be applied beyond politics, into other areas of life, such as the economy or the workplace
- Your work focuses on strategies for inclusion, poverty reduction, diversity, community resilience, and/or environmental sustainability
- You have invested in a CED investment fund or a community bond, you’re a member of a community investment co-operative, or you hold a bank account at a credit union.
- You’re a member of a local food or grocery co-op, a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), a credit union, or a carshare.
- You support or volunteer for local community organizations and/or events.
- You engage in research to evaluate the social impact of community programs and/or government policy.
- You want to develop your own community initiative, social enterprise, collaborative project, etc.
Register for EconoUs2017 today!
Partner Mission Statements
The Canadian CED Network engages with people, ideas and actions to build local economies that strengthen communities and benefit everyone.
Thrive acts as a steward connecting local resources and people in communities to build a sustainable, resilient and inclusive economy where no one is left behind.
Momentum partners with people living on low incomes to increase prosperity, and inspires the development of local economies with opportunities for all.
Calgary Economic Development collaborates to advance opportunities in achieving economic success, embracing shared prosperity and building a strong community for Calgary.
The Calgary Regional Partnership invents, incubates, and works together to achieve a healthy environment, enriched communities, sustainable infrastructure, and a prosperous economy.
REAP educates and encourages Calgarians to choose local businesses that are committed to people and the planet as well as profits.
The Institute for Community Prosperity connects learning, research and change leadership to build community and strengthen the common good.
Matthew Thompson is Communications Manager with the Canadian CED Network (CCEDNet). He has worked with CCEDNet since 2007 in a variety of capacities including research and knowledge mobilization, event organizing, and the coordination of the national internship program, CreateAction. Matthew also co-authored Assembling Understandings: Findings from the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships, 2005-2011 a thematic summary of close to 400 research products on the Social Economy in Canada.
