Action-Research: a comment by Greg Macleod

Published in 2004, this argument defends the evolution of university curriculum in the social sciences away from the obscure and towards relevance to Canadian communities.

As McLeod says:

" Derek Bok, former president of Harvard University contends that university based science has become mainly concerned with the needs of large business rather than the needs of society. (Bok, 2003) Universities need money, and wealthy industry needs science, so it seems an irresistible marriage. On the opposite side are those who claim that the role of the university should be to seek truth and prepare young people to be responsible and democratic citizens. Is the university to serve big business or is to seek simply knowledge for its own sake? Perhaps there is room in the university for these two dimensions. However, we would like to propose a third position..."

Worth reading.

Lucien Bouchard lauds the cooperative model...

In a recent address to 200 cooperators, former premier Bouchard states that coops hold up against "mondialization", while talking of the bitter Olymel case. I admit I find it hard to sympathize for a pork factory, but 891 jobs are 891 jobs.

Upcoming symposium on the Social Economy at OISE

April 26 and 27 will see a "green" conference on the Social Economy, organised by Jack Quarter, a one of the key pioneers on this topic in Canada, among others.

An Ontario blog keeps track of all "social economy" in Ontario

This blog is one to consult now and again.

Making Mega-Projects Work for Communities

This entry is to mark the deposit of a Community University Research Alliance (CURA) grant to study the impact of the 2 billion dollar McGill Mega-Hospital on the surrounding neighbourhoods. The project aims at action-research that will make a real difference in St-Henri, NDG and Westmount.

Baby is born...

...the first baby arrived Sept 9, 2006. A kind of social economy, no? ;-)

Chantier is 10 years old...

The tenth anniversary of the Chantier, a kind of a snow plow for all things "social economy" in Quebec, opening the way politically and economically for experimentation in this field.

The Social Economy `*hub*...

A rather evocative name for this national network.

Definition of Social Economy

This definition is a good starting place.

This periodical is a staple in the social economy and community economic development movement in Canada. Great place to start reading up on How Things Work.

Non-profit restaurant...

Robin des bois is creating a little stir here in Montreal. Run almost entirely on volunteer labour, all profits (and tips) go to local charities... This redefines "social economy" in many ways. Can we run other businesses this way?

A site that brings together renewable and ethical stuff...

Subscribe to this site www.novae.ca for a weekly update drawing from French and English sources...

Federal perspective on the social economy

And so the feds are thinking the social economy is a good idea. Danger.

A new architecture for seniors benefits...

Check out this article from Caledon...

Montreal's guide to public consultation...

Here is a resource developed by the City for community groups (and others) who want to conduct public consultations...