Title: Comprehensive Strategies for Deep and Durable Outcomes
Series: A Comprehensive Approach to Reducing Poverty
Speakers: Eric Leviten-Reid, Mark Cabaj
Location: via conference call
Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2009, 12:00:00 PM, Eastern
Details: What are the different ways to pursue comprehensive approaches to poverty reduction? What are the strengths and limitations of such approaches for achieving deep and durable outcomes? Mark Cabaj will interview Eric Leviten-Reid about a new paper exploring these questions. The paper offers a lens for thinking about comprehensive approaches that will be developed more fully through a series of case studies conducted with Vibrant Communities partners.

Visit tammarackcommunity.ca for more information and to register

Telelearning Session 13: Microfinance in a Canadian Context

The provision of financial services to low-income clients is an under-examined facet of the economic system. Proponents of microfinance believe that meeting the financial needs of such community members can be a sustainable answer to solving the problems associated with poverty in our society. Join us as we explore some of the issues surrounding microfinance in Canada, including:

• What is the significance of microfinance programs in the Canadian context?
• What is the need for microfinance programs?
• Under what conditions do microfinance programs thrive in Canada?
• What are the challenges faced by Canadian microfinance programs?

Sign up today to participate in this engaging telelearning session, featuring Susan Henry (Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Alterna Savings) and Anahi Rivadeneira (Microfinance Program Officer at Vancity), with facilitation by Seth Asimakos of the Saint John Community Loan Fund.

Spaces are free, but limited - Register today!

Call Logistics:

* Session Date: Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
* 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 March 8th 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 telelearning@socialeconomyhub.ca 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.

Telelearning Session 12: International Microfinance

In recent years, donors and international aid organizations have been turning to microfinance as a way of providing their self-employed clients with financial services to support their businesses and households. These services have expanded to include not only loans and savings, but also insurance, money transfers and electronic banking as well. Join us as we explore some of the issues surrounding international microfinance, including:

• What is the difference between international and domestic microfinance?
• Under what conditions do international microfinance programs thrive?
• What are the challenges faced by international microfinance programs?

Sign up today to participate in this engaging telelearning session, featuring Nanci Lee (Writer, Microfinance Consultant, and Educator) and Dr. Julie Drolet (Writer and Assistant Professor at Thompson Rivers University), with facilitation by Annie McKitrick of the Canadian Social Economy Research Partnerships.

Spaces are free, but limited - Register today!

Call Logistics:

* Session Date: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009
* 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 March 1st 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 telelearning@socialeconomyhub.ca 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.

PEER LEARNING NETWORK TELECONFERENCE:

Thursday, February 19, 2008

@ 9:30 - 11:00 PST, 11:30 - 1:00 CST, 12:30 - 2:00 EST, 1:30 - 3:00 ATL

TOPIC

Youth Mentorship-Reproducing models that work

Speakers: Kayla Hrynewich, Program Coordinator & Addictions Counsellor with Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op in Saskatoon and Somkhuun Thongdee, Executive Director, Alberta SengSan Association with the Multicultural Youth Leaders Co-op in Edmonton.

Each speaker will give a brief presentation describing their model of youth mentorship. They will then each answer the question:

If I were to move to another community and wanted to reproduce our model of youth mentorship, these are the 5 key things that would be needed.

Our discussion will provide an opportunity to discuss these models in more detail and for others to share their experiences.

Additional information will be emailed to you closer to the event with the teleconference phone number and code.

Please RSVP to Paul Chamberlain by replying to this email or calling 416.760.2574. Please specify if you are comfortable participating in the tele-learning session in French, English or both languages so we can accommodate everyone.

We will also be asking that you complete a short survey after the session so that we can evaluate and improve the sessions.

The U.S. Solidarity Economy Network invites you to the first national

Forum on the Solidarity Economy: Building Another World

March 19-22, 2009 w Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst

Co-convened with Universidad de los Andes (Venezuela) & RIPESS-NA (Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of the Social Solidarity Economy - N. America)

An Historic Opening
The current economic crisis and the possible death throes of neoliberalism (corporate-led globalization), offers us an historic opening to advance a new framework for economic development. We have an opportunity to push for a fundamental transformation in our economic and social system, one that puts people and planet before private profits and power.

This four day conference will include an inspiring range of solidarity economy tours, workshops, plenaries and cultural events. We invite solidarity economy practitioners and resource organizations, social movement activists, workers, academics, students, researchers, cultural workers, journalists and other fellow travelers, to come and be part of the growing global movement to build the solidarity economy.

What is the solidarity economy?
The Solidarity Economy (SE) is an alternative framework for economic development that is grounded in principles of solidarity, equity in all dimensions, participatory democracy, sustainability and pluralism. The solidarity economy framework seeks transformation rather than band-aid solutions, yet rejects one-size-fits-all blueprints. It isn't abstract theory nor pie-in-the-sky utopianism. Rather, it pulls together and builds upon the many elements of the solidarity economy that already exist. Some are new innovations, some are old. Other elements have yet to be realized or even imagined, and the journey of creation is ongoing.

Join us!
The time to advance real solutions, built on real experiences and successes is now. Another world is possible and necessary. Join the movement and together, we can build upon the foundation that already exists to make that ‘other world' a reality!

For more details and background please visit our website: http://www.ussen.org

Or contact: Emily Kawano, Coordinator, U.S. Solidarity Economy Network, 413-545-0743, emily@populareconomics.org