The research on the social economy undertaken between 2005 and 2012 by the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships, the national hub and the six regional research nodes continues.  This webinar shares the latest research activities relevant to CED policy and practice from several current research programs.  It also deepens the connections between practitioners and researchers in the CED and social economy fields:  participants hear who is doing what, what research outputs are available and what is expected, and how to get involved.

BACKGROUND

The national social economy research program provided an unprecedented level of resources and pan-Canadian experimentation within a collaborative model of engagement, knowledge creation, sectoral (self) definition and policy development through research. The social economy research funding ended in 2012, but the work continues.

This webinar updates Network members and supporters about ongoing CED and social economy research. Presenters introduce their research partnership / organization and then take questions. Their comments cover who is involved in the research partnership, what questions are being asked, what outputs are available/expected, and how interested practitioners can get involved. 

PRESENTERS

• Erin Hancock, Program Coordinator, Research and Education at the Canadian Co-operative Association, and Co-ordinator of the Measuring the Co-operative Difference Research Network.
• Jack Quarter, Professor and Co-Director, Social Economy Centre, University of Toronto. Principal Investigator: Social Business and Marginalized Social Groups.
• Mike Gismondi, Professor, Athabasca University. Principal investigator:  BALTA Scaling Innovation for Sustainability Project.
• Ted Jackson, Associate Professor in the School of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University. Principal investigator: Community First: Impacts of Community Engagement. Ted will be joined by colleagues, including Geri Briggs, Co-Manager of the CFICE project and Director of the Canadian Alliance for Community Service Learning.
• Lynne Fernandez, CCPA Manitoba. Project Coordinator:  Partnering for Change: Community-Based Solutions for Aboriginal and Inner-City Poverty.
• Peter Elson, Acting Director, Institute for Nonprofit Studies, Mount Royal University; Board Member of the Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy Research (ANSER) and co-Editor of ANSER Journal.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• eBooks from the Canadian Social Economy Hub
• Measuring the Co-operative Difference Research Network
• Social Economy Centre, University of Toronto
• Community First: Impacts of Community Engagement
• Manitoba Research Alliance
• BALTA-SIS
• Canadian Social Economy Hub

This webinar was made possible by the participation and contributions of the following research centres and organizations:

Innovation, Change & Sustainability

July 10-12, 2013
Sydney, Nova Scotia

The Community Economic Development Institute of the Shannon School of Business is dedicated to advancing community capacity in innovation and sustainability, and we are pleased to organize a multidisciplinary conference on Creative Community Business. 

Community-owned and community-based ventures are a strong part of the Canadian economy for over a century and recent innovative practices have made the community business sector a hot topic in national vistas.  The conference brings together practitioners, researchers, and community organizations, from home and afar, to discuss current practices, challenges, and emerging trends in community business.

The conference includes presentations from more than 20 thought leaders, with Kevin Lynch PC OC, former Clerk of the Privy Council as the keynote speaker. Distinguished plenary speakers include Drs Jan and Cornelia Flora (Iowa), on rural community economic development, and Dr. Tony Charles (SMU, Nova Scotia) on management of coastal resources. Presenters include Mike Toye, Brendan Reimer, Stewart Perry, Rankin MacSween, Rupert Downing, Greg MacLeod and more.

Academics and practitioners form home and abroad will be making many exciting presentations.  The conference includes the following themes:
 
• Creativity and Innovation
• Civil society and community development
• Co-operatives, social firms, and sustainable business models
• Place-based business in a competitive world
• Eco-business and sustainability
• Sustainable Aboriginal economies
• Entrepreneurial Financing
• International initiatives in community business

Special Meeting on CED in Atlantic Canada

A pre-conference networking and planning session will be held on July 10, from 1-4:30pm.  The afternoon will include presentations by Executive Director Mike Toye and Regional Director Brendan Reimer, examining CCEDNet-Manitoba’s success and possible strategies to advance CED in Atlantic Canada.  For more info, email Philippe Ménard-Côté.

Venue

The conference will be held on Cape Breton University’s campus.  Located on Canada’s east coast, CBU (www.cbu.ca) makes its home in Sydney, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Sydney is easily accessible, serviced with Air Canada and Westjet direct flights from Toronto in the summer and Air Canada flights from Halifax year around.

Cape Breton is known for its natural beauty, pace of life, history, and friendly people. Cape Breton Island has been chosen as one of the Best Trips for 2013 by National Geographic  The folks at Travel + Leisure magazine World's Best Awards 2009, pretty much summed it up for us naming Cape Breton Island the number one, ‘must-see’ island to visit in North America and number three on its top islands of the world list. It is also named as the #2 Sustainable Tourism Destination by National Geographic Traveler magazine. Home to the world renowned Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island's breathtaking scenery leaves an imprint on all visitors.

This July, our famous Fortress of Louisbourg is celebrating its 300th anniversary and the Fortress is staging a few special events. The Fortress will recreate the bustling, multicultural, harbourside market that was a daily part of life in 18th century Louisbourg.

Conference  Registration

$ 190 + HST $28.50     = $218.50  Before  May 15, 2013
$ 225 + HST $33.75     = $258.75  After May 15, 2013
$  80 +  HST $12.00     = $  92.00 Student
$  40 +  HST $  6.00     = $  46.00 Spouse/Companion (to attend opening reception and Surf & Turf dinner only).

The registration fee covers access to all conference sessions, opening reception, our famous Surf & Turf extravaganza (Cape Breton lobster and beef) by the harbour, lunches, and nutrition breaks.  Interesting speakers and Cape Breton hospitality & music included too. 

Conference registration is now open and you can register for the conference online or offline.  For conference information and registration:  

>> Conference Website

January 24, 2013
1:00 - 2:00pm ET (12-1pm CT)

Presenters are 

• David Sloan Wilson, SUNY Distinguished Professor of Biology and Anthropology at Binghamton University, is renowned for his work examining the applications of evolutionary theory, including through The Neighbourhood Project: Using Evolution to Improve My City, One Block At A Time. 
• David Currie, Executive Director of the Binghamton Regional Sustainability Coalition 

[REGISTER HERE]

BACKGROUND

PRESENTERS

Margie Mendell
Concordia University

Christian Novak
FMA – Frontier Markets Advisors

Christian has over 20 years of experience in the financial sector, including more than 10 years of experience in impact investments and sustainable development projects. He has authored several papers and has been an active speaker on impact investing.

Thursday, February 14, 2013
Speaker: Liz Brooks-Allen
Location: via conference call
11:55 am - 1:00 pm ET

[REGISTER HERE]

Thursday, January 31
2:00 pm EST

Looking to Start in Social Media?

[REGISTER HERE]

More info:

The sessions will all be at 2:00 pm EST and should be approximately 15 minutes in length. Links will be sent out to everyone that's registered prior to the session. If there are any issues, you can email us at greenit@greencommunitiescanada.org. We suggest entering the room fifteen minutes prior to the session in case there are any issues. 

This webinar is part of a 3-part series on getting started with social media.

The Starting in Social Media Webinar Series is being co-hosted by Green Communities Canada, a member of the Canadian CED Network.