Joint CSR and Community Investment Forum

Take part in a growing movement of credit unions, co-operatives, community investment organizations and co-op developers working together to make a difference in their communities through the National Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Community Investment Forum.

Learn more about the latest CSR and community investment initiatives, and take part in two or three days of stimulating dialogue, shared learning and networking.

Visit www.csrforum07.com or contact Miruna Nichita miruna_nichita@cooperators.ca

MARK YOUR CALENDARS - Building Sustainable Co-op Futures: May 23-26, 2007

The 5th Annual Building Sustainable Co-op Futures conference is being held in Guelph, Ontario, Canada on May 23-26, 2007 on the University of Guelph Campus. To find out more on how to get involved and/or more info about the conference itself, please contact me at clushman@ontario.coop. Click here for more information.

Cheers,
Cynthia Lushman
Education Officer
Ontario Co-operative Association
450 Speedvale Ave., West, Suite 202
Guelph, On., N1H 7Y6

Ph: 519-763-8271, x24
Toll Free: 1-888-745-5521
Email: clushman@ontario.coop
Web: www.ontario.coop

The Social Economy Centre (OISE/UT) Lunchbox Speakers' Series - Aboriginal Social Economy Issues: March 28th, 2007

An Aboriginal Perspective on the Social Economy

Panel: Alice Corbiere, Rosalind Johnston and Jose A. Reyes
Wednesday, March 28^th, 2007, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm.
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto
252 Bloor Street West,
Toronto, Ontario
Room 12-199

The three panelists leading this discussion are Alice Corbiere, Rosalind Johnston and Jose Reyes of the Community Economic and Social Development (CESD) programme at Algoma University College.~ The panel will suggest that the current definition of the social economy may not be sufficiently inclusive to reflect the holistic worldview of indigenous peoples nor reflect the reality of First Nations governance.~ They will connect examples of First Nations development to international perspectives, and question whether the social economy research can be a tool for challenging the imposition of colonial models on indigenous peoples.

This event will be webcast and we will accept questions via e-mail from remote participants. Go to the following webpage for detailed instructions to set up for and view the webcast: http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca/english/webcast.php

Bring your lunch and a mug; coffee, tea and water will be provided. To RSVP, or for more information, go to http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca/english/lectures.php or contact Sherap Winn at swinn@oise.utoronto.ca or (416) 923-6641, extension 2087

Mark you Calendars: Other sessions will include: April 25 - Social Responsibility in Credit Unions May 16 - Fair Trade. For more information, visit http://sec.oise.utoronto.ca/english/lectures.php.

Part of the Solution: Community-Based Green Co-operatives

The Community Development Collaborative Program (UT), the Transformative Learning Centre, the Social Economy Centre and the Adult Education and Community Development Program (OISE/UT) present

"Part of the Solution" The role of community-based green co-operatives in advancing sustainable development and energy literacy

Fiona Duguid, WindShare Co-operative and doctoral candidate, University of Toronto
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
12.00-1.30 pm
OISE/UT, 252 Bloor St West,
Room 7-162

After five years of development, WindShare Co-operative in Toronto, Ontario became the first urban wind turbine in North America and the first co-operatively owned and operated wind turbine in Canada. The development of WindShare Co-operative has spurred the growth of a green energy co-operative sector in Ontario. This presentation focuses on the roles of community-based green energy co-operatives in advancing sustainable energy development and energy literacy.

WindShare Co-operative provided the structure whereby members felt a part of the solution in terms of sustainable energy development. From this study it was found that policies and practices at all levels of government should encourage the advancement of green energy co-operatives to support Canada’s efforts at public involvement in addressing climate change.

Fiona Duguid is completing her doctorate in the Adult Education department at the Ontario Institute for the Study of Education at the University of Toronto. Her research looks at sustainable energy development through green energy co-operatives. She is working with WindShare Co-operative and with the Toronto Renewable Energy Co-operative.