1:30pm - 2:45pm Eastern Time

Building affordable housing that promotes sustainable practices for the built environment is a goal of many towns and cities across Canada – particularly in emphasizing a focus on fostering community, business investment, jobs and smart growth.

But is it realistic, one might ask, to expect local governments and non-profits to attain such goals through the use of local planning practices and partnerships alone? We say, yes it is!

Hear from The Sustainable Communities’ partnership of the Government of New Brunswick and the Harbourside Cohousing seniors project in British Columbia who are each making sustainable, affordable community integrative design work.

Register for Building Sustainable Communities

The Sustainable Communities’ partnership of New Brunswick has developed a truly integrated planning approach called ‘Building Sustainable Communities with Design’ (or SCD Approach).  It provides community leaders with information on how:

• they are performing regarding fiscal impacts and density promoted;
• they can position themselves at the world level to attract investments and knowledge workers, and;
• to build to respond to climate change issues and implement sustainable building practices when developing communities.

Harbourside Cohousing is also showing that building sustainable development is possible today, and has responded to the needs of an aging population in creating their ‘Senior Cohousing’ project in Sooke (BC). The project will showcase how it came to fruition through collaboration with future residents on a shared commitment to a:

• ‘Built Green Canada Gold’ standard of sustainability and energy efficiency by design that promotes healthy aging in place;
• collaboration with the architect and cohousing project manager to create a built form that nurtures an innovative culture with connections to broader society, while enhancing use of green space, and;
•  offers affordable strata-titled housing in a supportive environment for aging residents to thrive.  

Join this interactive webinar to learn more about alternative development models, concepts and principles around the SCD Approach, response to seniors’ cohousing projects, and examples of implementation.

Speakers:

Margaret Critchlow, Director, Canadian Senior Cohousing Society & founding member, Harbourside Cohousing (BC)

Daniel Savard, Planner & Member, Sustainable Communities Partnership, Department of Environment & Local Government, Government of New Brunswick (NB)

SOURCE: Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA)

This summit is hosted by the Simon Fraser University Community Economic Development program and the City of Vancouver.

Keynote Speakers and Panel Discussions

As the program is finalized more Speakers and Panels will be added to the list. Here is a sample of some of the topics that will be explored:

• Indigenomics: Economic Development and Reconciliation
• How rising commercial rents are hurting local businesses and what business associations, in partnership with municipalities, can do about it
• How can we create entrepreneurship ecosystems for rural women social entrepreneurs? 
• Best Practices for Community- Benefit and Impact Agreements
• What is the pathway of least resistance for re-localizing investment funds within BC towns and neighbourhoods?

Register for Hopeful Economics

Social Innovation Challenge | April 22

Pitch your concept, discover new partners, and compete for a chance to win start-up funding!  Focusing on proposals that have financial sustainability, positive social impact, an  environmentally friendly focus, or are spiritually grounded. Cash prizes, tablets and coaching packages will be awarded to five pitches. Everyone will create connections with many other like-minded people and supporters.

• Participation is limited to conference attendees. Purchase your ticket today. 
• Pre-registration is required. Contact us for more information here.
• This is hosted by www.socialinnovationchallenge.ca and The United Church of Canada

Rojava: A Flame in the Darkness | April 20

Explore the revolutionary co-operative models emerging from Rojava, Syria with Leman Kewan Hasano and John Restakis at an evening event, accompanied by a contemporary Syrian Art Exhibit. 

Learn more about Hopeful Economics

2pm to 3pm Eastern Time

Presently, 36 million independent workers in the United States work outside the traditional employer-employee model. By 2020 this number is projected to swell to between 50 and 75 million.

This Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) webinar, The Gig Economy, will explore the following: 

• Map the current and emerging landscape of independent work
• Identify the most promising and troubling elements of independent work
• Generate ideas on what could make independent work more stable and sustainable for workers, especially vulnerable and/or lower skilled workers
• Highlight promising innovations that are already underway and might be ripe for scaling
• Share strategies for supporting independent workers and dig into some of the most promising innovations

Register for The Gig Economy webinar

This webinar is highly relevant for social entrepreneurs, researchers, philanthropists, policy makers, leaders of private and public businesses, and, of course, independent workers themselves. It is inspired by SSIR's article, "The Freedom, Insecurity, and Future of Independent Work" and brought to you in conjunction with The Bridgespan Group. 

Thanks to the generosity of The Rockefeller Foundation, this webinar is complimentary. Registration to this webinar will include access to the live webinar, unlimited access to the webinar as many times as you’d like for twelve months at your convenience, and downloadable slides. 

12:00pm Eastern Time

How can worker co-operatives be equals in their decision-making without sacrificing effectiveness? Blue Scorcher Bakery has been organizing themselves using sociocracy with great success, and will share their experiences in this webinar. Diane from NCDC is on their board (top circle) and will be available as well.

Interviews with

• Joe from Blue Scorcher Bakery, Astoria, Oregon
• Diane Gasaway, Northwest Cooperative Development Center

See a case study on their implementation here.

You will receive a zoom link within 24h after registration.
($5 recommended donation)