The fact that the economy isn’t working for most of us is finally getting some attention and policy proposals to close loopholes and other stopgap solutions are making the rounds. However, those that study complex systems – natural or human-made – say the same thing: once corrupted, a complex system has an almost impossible time fixing itself. The best way to transition to a truly democratic economy is to find or create safe spaces outside the dominant system where something wholly new can emerge from the ground up. This emergence is BALLE’s theory of change, which has been deeply influenced by the work of Margaret Wheatley and Deborah Frieze.

In this webinar we’ll explore Frieze’s "Two Loops" theory of systems change – in which a new system emerges as the old one is declining – as a framework for a new economy. We’ll discuss where we are in the shift to a new economic model and take a look at the work being done on the ground to fight for rights in the current system while bolstering those who are forging a new path forward.

This webinar will kick off BALLE’s "Year of Illumination" – a monthly series of webinars, videos, articles, and other stories and conversations that will shed light on What Works and help Localist Leaders replicate and build upon proven solutions towards an economy with equity at its core. Join us for this foundational conversation to bring greater context to the role you and your organization play in this process.

Register now

SPEAKERS

Deborah Frieze, Co-Founder, Boston Impact Initiative

James Johnson-Piett, Principal and CEO, Urbane Development

MODERATOR

Christine Ageton, Chief Program Officer, BALLE

9am – 12pm Central Time

Join the conversation towards a Winnipeg food strategy

Food is a connecting point, it impacts the way we live, work and play. From our local economy and community-building, to healthy citizens and a greener environment, food touches all sectors. Cities across Canada are recognizing these linkages and realizing the enormous potential for food to transform a city, through thoughtful consideration and planning.

Now it’s Winnipeg’s turn. Food Matters Manitoba, the Canadian CED Network – Manitoba and MAFRA are hosting a multi-stakeholder event to discuss the potential of a Winnipeg Food Strategy and how it could transform our city. Given your background and perspective, we think you would be a great addition to this discussion. Please join us February 20th, 2015 from 9am – 12pm at Convocation Hall, University of Winnipeg. A local Manitoba lunch to follow the event.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Kelsey Evans at kelsey at foodmattersmanitoba.ca or (204) 943-0822 ext. 201

Register here

Further Information

Read this op-ed from Kreesta Doucette, Executive Director of Food Matters Manitoba: Healthy diet, healthy population

Grab a cup of coffee & listen in on how food can transform the way we live, work and play in our city.

On February 10th from 7 PM all are welcome to come to the Free Press News Café (237 McDermot Ave) in the Exchange District to listen in on our panel discuss what the future of food in Winnipeg could look like.

Moderator:
Mary Agnes Welch | Public Policy Reporter, Winnipeg Free Press

Panelists:

• Dr. Paul Komenda | Director of Research, Seven Oaks
• Talia Syrie | Restauranteur, The Tallest Poppy
• Bob Somers | Principal, Scatliff+Miller+Murray
• Dr. Jaime Cidro | Aboriginal Health Researcher, University of Winnipeg

This event is hosted in partnership with the Canadian CED Network – Manitoba and MAFRA. With additional support from the University of Manitoba, Assiniboine Credit Union, Green Action Centre, Province of Manitoba, Alliance, and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.

[ register here ]

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First Nations are ideally suited to growing green economies and creating local jobs and healthy communities. This one-of-a-kind conference and trade show will profile successful business models from Manitoba and across Canada, with a special focus on the growing role of social enterprise business in driving Canada’s green economy.

• Learn how Communities are applying Social Enterprise to transform Poverty and Unemployment into Economic Opportunity
• Network with Industry and Educational Leaders to understand the power existing within your Community
• Explore practical Alternative Energy Solutions that will save money and create employment
• Implement sensible financing for investments in efficient and sustainable energy which removes the high upfront cost barriers
• Discover how creating a community food source can lead to increased health for the Community and its members
• Realize sustainable solutions that will drive economic development and empower communities

REGISTER TODAY!

Or register by fax or email

View the Agenda

ACCOMMODATIONS

Reserve your room(s) online at The Marlborough Hotel with special rates of $84/ night and $94/ night, or call directly at (204) 942-6411 or 1-800-667-7666.

SUBMIT A ‘GREEN BUSINESS’ IDEA

For a chance to win $5,000 submit a 'green business' idea!
Submit your 3-page ‘Green Business’ summary to AkiEnergy at GoToRegister.ca by March 1, 2015 for a chance to win $5,000 in start-up support!

For more information or to register, please contact Jennifer Wood, Dawn-Rae Planners, Conference Coordinator

Toll Free: 1-866-936-0385
Fax: 1-866-936-2034
Email: AkiEnergy at GoToRegister.ca
Website: www.GoToRegister.ca/AkiEnergy

11:00am - 12:30pm Pacific Time
Cost: $45

Register to Attend Join acclaimed cultural historian and futurist Riane Eisler for a dynamic dialogue about how you can take a stand for a new story of human possibility and become a leader in the movement to a more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable world.

In this 90-minute live online session, Riane Eisler, author of The Chalice & the Blade and The Real Wealth of Nations, will illuminate the outdated dynamics of gender and power undermining our well‐being and economic prosperity. She’ll answer your questions about what role you can play in the shift to more caring and sustainable social systems that support the relationships that matter most to us all – equitable and empowering relationships with our families, our communities, and our natural environment.

Riane will answer questions including:

• How are outdated systems of gender and power still guiding our economic policies?   
• How can we recognize and change these patterns?
• What would an economy that recognizes the value of the life-sustaining work of care still mainly performed by women look like?
• How would a caring economy put an end to the systematic impoverishment of women and children and generate greater economic prosperity for everyone, not just the 1%?
• What can you do to support these essential changes?

Bring your questions and concerns to this interactive online discussion on Thursday, February 19th from 11:00am – 12:30pm PST. You are invited to submit a question for Riane in advance of the session. You may share a question when you register, or send a question to annamberg.cps at gmail.com no later than February 16th, 2014. Questions will also be taken in real time during the webinar, as time permits.

REGISTER

For more information about Riane Eisler go to www.rianeeisler.com

* Leadership & Learning Program Alumni may attend at a $15 discount. Contact Ann for information and discount code

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern Time

The Mobilizing Local Capacity to End Youth Homelessness Program (MLC) is a national five-year pilot project that supports small and medium-sized communities across Canada to develop plans to prevent, reduce and end youth homelessness. The MLC draws on local resources, energies and capacity to raise awareness of the issues surrounding youth homelessness, and facilitates linkages to foster effective networks and collective action to address the housing and social support needs of youth.  

Kingston, ON and Kamloops, BC were the first two communities selected to participate in the MLC program, led respectively by the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington and the City of Kamloops. We will be joined by them both in discussion on the multi-year community-wide processes they underwent that involved solid research, direct involvement of youth and broad community consultations as they bring their community plans to action.

The inaugural community action plans to prevent, reduce and end youth homelessness were launched in the Fall of 2014, and are available at the following links: Youth Out Loud: Taking Action to End Youth Homelessness in KFL&A and A Way Home: A Plan to End Youth Homelessness in Kamloops. Or visit Eva's Initiatives.

The MLC is the result of an exciting partnership between The National Learning Community on Youth Homelessness, Eva’s Initiatives and the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association, with generous funding from the Catherine Donnelly Foundation.

Speakers:

Bhavana Varma is the President & CEO of the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington.  She joined the United Way in St. Catharines soon after she and her husband moved to Canada. She moved to Kingston in 1999 as the CEO of the local United Way. 

Bhavana works closely with a large team of volunteers and a small staff team on fundraising and community impact.  Working with community partners, Bhavana has developed and led shared community plans for poverty reduction, homelessness and youth homelessness.

Carmin Mazzotta is the Social and Community Development Supervisor for the City of Kamloops. His portfolio involves social planning, community engagement, and capacity building across a range of priority areas; two of these – youth issues, and housing and homelessness – are particularly relevant here.

Carmin works closely with local non-profit organizations, service clubs, community associations, and key stakeholders from the private sector, including land developers, property managers and local businesses, to address social issues and needs in the community through a collaborative, action-oriented approach.

Carmin has been involved in the planning and development of a number of municipal and community-based plans, including A Way Home: A Plan to End Youth Homelessness in Kamloops.

Space is limited. REGISTER NOW!

Please note that, as always, webinars are free for CHRA members. For non-members, the cost is $40 + tax.