Hello Community Economic Development practitioners and supporters, It’s so great to be home! I am just back from a trip to the UK –visiting colleagues I worked with during my time spent working in the social enterprise sector over there. It is interesting to see how the CED agenda has moved forward in the UK [...]

Hello community economic developers and supporters, Today is my last day at work in New Zealand – before I head off to the UK for a break that is part holiday, part opportunity to talk to social economy sector people over there – and soak up some of their accumulated experience and wisdom. The last [...]

Hello community economic developers and supporters, I agree with the concept that has been coming through from a range of sources that people are currently divided into two groups: those who are determined to hang on to “business as usual’ – that is, an economic paradigm based on unlimited growth that has led to environmental [...]

Politics in a Lunchbox – a CED Manifesto? At lunchtime on Wednesday 20 April, as part of the CED Conference, we have invited political representatives from the Green, Labour, Maori and National Parties to participate in a panel discussion about community economic development from a party perspective. Planning for this session has caused us to [...]

Want a taste of what the 2011 CED Conference will be like? Check out the video from last year’s sell out event!

Hello community economic developers and supporters, Hopefully you have returned from a relaxing break and feel newly refreshed to surf the challenges of a brand new year. 2010 was quite a year is so many ways for communities around New Zealand. For me, the 2010 Conference was a full on but inspiring start to last [...]

I found this interesting snippet about a new UK Bill that is part of the “Big Society” move. Local People Leading reports that “On 13 December 2010, the UK Government introduced the Decentralisation and Localism Bill to the UK parliament. This new legislation outlines a set of new powers and measures designed to shift power [...]

Hello community economic developers and supporters, As Xmas and the holiday season looms nearer, planning for the CED Conference for 18, 19, 20 April 2011 is stepping up…. Here is a link to the website where you will find a programme outline and registration details. The 2010 conference was a sell out – with that [...]

There has been interest in people getting together in their local areas to establish local CED networks. Wellington has started the ball rolling. Waitakere is close on their heels – more about that next ebulletin. On Monday 15th November an event was hosted by Wellington City Council to connect and celebrate people working in this [...]

The Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition asks “How can Scotland create a prosperous, sustainable economy inspired by our national values of fairness and social justice? How can Scotland enhance and improve the quality of public services?” and goes on to say… “The answer is social enterprise – businesses which are already transforming lives and communities across [...]