The deadline for early bird registration rates has been extended to April 22, 2010. Register now to save! To register visit: www.ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/summit#registration

After an inspiring evening with Raj Patel, Mondragon International and the United Steelworkers at the Summit opening, the first plenary panel will have leading speakers review the growth and contributions of the cooperative, community economic development and social economy sectors in Canada and around the world:

• Nancy Neamtan, President and Executive Director of the Chantier de l’économie sociale, a Québec-wide network of networks brining together co-operative and non-profit enterprises, local development organizations and social movements
• Cooperative historian Ian MacPherson, Principal Investigator and Co-Director of the Canadian Social Economy Hub, a five-year national research program. He is the author or editor of 17 books and numerous articles on co-operatives and other subjects and has delivered more than 300 presentations around the world.
• From the Philippines, Ben Quinones, Chair of the Coalition of Socially Responsible SMEs in Asia. He chaired the First Asia Solidarity Economy Forum in Manila in October 2007 and is a member of the Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of the Social Solidarity Economy (RIPESS).

Book your travel and accommodation early! Affordable, convenient and comfortable accommodation is available on campus at Carleton University. (www.ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/summit#accommodations)

Declare your organization as part of this movement and join others in the Summit tradeshow. (www.ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/summit#tradeshow)

Did you know that Summit deliberations are already underway? FREE 1-hour telelearning sessions allow anyone interested to learn more about the summit themes and provide feedback before the event. Hear from top Canadian practitioners and researchers on the latest research and the recommendations for action being put forward at the Summit.

The next telelearning session is on Procurement and will be held April 21st at 12:00pm Pacific time, 3:00pm Eastern time. Spaces are limited; you can register by phoning 250-472-4976, or by e-mailing sekm@uvic.ca with your name, location, and work or volunteer position. For more information about this session and for the full schedule of sessions and speakers, see the Summit engagement web page. (www.ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/summit/engagement#telelearning)

Did you know you could post suggested comments and changes to the 2010 National Summit issue papers? Please do so by visiting the wiki: people-centredeconomy.wikispot.org The revised papers will be presented at the National Summit from which a common declaration and action plan will be developed.

We hope you’ll be part of the Summit!