Tracy K.'s Posts - Urgent Evoke2024-03-29T13:02:44ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedyhttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2209245167?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://www.urgentevoke.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=2n3t7kqq7rigz&xn_auth=noCrisis Communciation & Social Supporttag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-05-08:4871302:BlogPost:1430282010-05-08T21:42:52.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
Important aspects of Crisis Communication - from the sources listed on the info page:<br></br><br></br><span class="content-subtitle" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/Microsites/NiemanGuideToCoveringPandemicFlu/CrisisCommunication/OutbreakCommunicationHowTheSourcesSeeTheStory.aspx">Challenge two: Education is not the sole
purpose of news reporting.</a></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">It is often assumed that the news media should serve primarily as an educator…</span>
Important aspects of Crisis Communication - from the sources listed on the info page:<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic;" class="content-subtitle"><a href="http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/Microsites/NiemanGuideToCoveringPandemicFlu/CrisisCommunication/OutbreakCommunicationHowTheSourcesSeeTheStory.aspx">Challenge two: Education is not the sole
purpose of news reporting.</a></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">It is often assumed that the news media should serve primarily as an educator of the public and of policymakers.</span><br/><a href="http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/Microsites/NiemanGuideToCoveringPandemicFlu/CrisisCommunication/HowDoPeopleReactInAPandemic.aspx"><br/></a><span class="content-subtitle"><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/Microsites/NiemanGuideToCoveringPandemicFlu/CrisisCommunication/HowDoPeopleReactInAPandemic.aspx">Five stages of reaction to a disaster</a> - 1. Self-Preservation: The first reaction to a disaster is fear and initial anxiety. People are afraid. They seek information. They do what is necessary to figure out how to save themselves. 2. Group Preservation: With the right information provided, there is a tremendous effort—usually guided by what we call pro-social behavior—to help others.
</span> <br/>
<br/></span>These two entries are both surprising and important. First, the news media certainly does have the responsibility to provide accurate and unbiased information about what's going on. I think that what citizen journalism has shown us is that in addition to information, people need social support; they need to know that they are ok and so are their loved ones. The media has a responsibility to give that support to their audience, and the audience expects it as well. Traditional media doesn't always do this. Recent disasters - 9-111, Katrina, Haiti - all show how everyday people circulate information and offer social support to those who are in danger or need, and to the people who are looking for them.<br/><br/>To me, this is connected to the first two states of reacting to disasters and Crisis Communication - self preservation & group presentation; people need to know that they are not alone and that there is help on the way. This is done via crisis communication - social networking sites, blogs, mobile sms messages and so forth. This brings people together - local + global = glocal social support -> rebuilds local community and makes new ones.<br/>Indigenous Women and Traditional Medicine in Oaxaca (Mexico)tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-22:4871302:BlogPost:998412010-04-22T01:19:26.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<font color="#003300" face="Verdana" size="3"><i><b>Indigenous<br></br>
Women and Traditional Medicine in Oaxaca (Mexico)</b></i></font> <font color="#003300" face="Verdana" size="3">- <a href="http://www.kivu.com/wbbook/casestudies.html">Case Study</a><br></br>
<span style="font-style: italic;">Traditional medicine and healing are an emergent area of <br></br>
concern. In this region, women form the majority of traditional healers.<br></br>
Medicine people have formed 17 groups in Oaxaca and are now…</span></font>
<font size="3" color="#003300" face="Verdana"><i><b>Indigenous<br/>
Women and Traditional Medicine in Oaxaca (Mexico)</b></i></font> <font size="3" color="#003300" face="Verdana">- <a href="http://www.kivu.com/wbbook/casestudies.html">Case Study</a><br/>
<span style="font-style: italic;">Traditional medicine and healing are an emergent area of <br/>
concern. In this region, women form the majority of traditional healers.<br/>
Medicine people have formed 17 groups in Oaxaca and are now practicing <br/>
their art in their communities. They are evolving various skills from <br/>
indigenous mid-wives to specialized healers. Therapies based on herbs, <br/>
massages, sweats, chiropractic, and other forms are sued for many <br/>
physical and mental diseases.</span></font><font size="3"><br/></font>
<p style="font-style: italic;"><font size="3" color="#003300" face="Verdana">After bitter struggles with official associations of physicians, traditional medicine people finally were able to organize joint meetings in which they shared their experiences and set up plans for collaboration. As a direct result, two reports on traditional medicine have been issued, and the indigenous women have benefited immensely. Their involvement has been a key factor in cataloging the plants, herbs, and practices, and in <br/>
promoting the conservation and availability of curative products and <br/>
practices. With the support of the National Indigenous Institute, <br/>
UNICEF, and NGOs, an overall health program has been established. <br/>
Recognized medicine people and healers train interested indigenous <br/>
villagers as health promoters through courses and workshops, focusing <br/>
on the recovery of communal knowledge about medicinal plants and <br/>
traditional healing practices. The status of indigenous women has been <br/>
enhanced through the creation of a council of traditional medicine where<br/>
their knowledge is recognized, and through the opening of community <br/>
clinics. Not only can they make wide use of their traditional knowledge <br/>
in medicine, but also the exercise of their practice has been greatly <br/>
improved.</font></p>
<p><font size="3"><br/></font></p>
<p><font size="3" color="#003300" face="Verdana">Additional info:</font></p>
<font size="3"><a href="http://chronicle.com/article/Learning-to-Heal-BodyMind/46957/">Learning to Heal Body and Mind From Mexico's Shamans</a><br/><span style="font-style: italic;">Students in occupational therapy traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico, for the U.
of New Mexico's summer course, "Introduction to Mexican Traditional Medicine." They took Spanish-language classes and learned healing methods using local plants and herbs and traditional procedures for spiritual cleansings.</span><br/><br/><a href="http://indigenouspeoplesissues.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1764:women-protect-traditional-medicine-shamans-meet-in-colombia&catid=53:south-america-indigenous-peoples&Itemid=75">Women Protect Traditional Medicine: Shamans Meet In Colombia</a></font>
<font size="3"><br/>Women shamans from around the Americas met in Colombia in late August to
try to outline how best to integrate ancient teachings and wisdom with Western practices to improve the lot of their communities. The shamans, from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela met in the southwestern Colombian city of Pasto Aug. 25-30 in the first ever International Meeting on Andean Cultures. <br/><a href="http://www.idex.org/blog/tag/compitch"><br/>COMPITCH</a><br/><span style="font-style: italic;">COMPITCH’s first priority is health for all communities – to the point
that they will sacrifice their own salaries if it meant the money will help cure someone’s sickness. COMPITCH is continually working and mobilizing to protect the indigenous culture, local biodiversity and the practice of traditional medicine in Chiapas. COMPITCH exists because the Mexican government is not encouraging these crucial elements to <br/>
survive. Someone has to defend every citizen’s right to healthcare, whether it is in the hospital or in nature.</span><br/><br/>
<a href="http://www.grandmotherscouncil.com/projects.html">Grandmothers' Projects (not updated recently)</a><br/></font><font style="font-style: italic;" size="3">The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers has group
projects that represent the whole Council, and they also have projects<br />
as individuals. As women of tremendous energy and resources, the<br />
Grandmothers generate a great deal of energy and enthusiasm around<br />
projects that they sponsor themselves, as well as outside projects that<br />
they endorse.</font> <br/><br/><font size="3">Homeopathic Medicine in the City of Oaxaca, Mexico:
Patients' Perspectives and Observation<br/><a href="http://www.jstor.org/pss/649658">Michael B. Whiteford</a><cite><br/>Medical Anthropology Quarterly</cite>, New Series, Vol.
13, No. 1 (Mar., 1999), pp. 69-78<br />
</font> <br/>The Green Mega Citytag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-21:4871302:BlogPost:997442010-04-21T23:36:35.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
I had trouble with this task. So instead - I found this interactive presentation from Popular Science that has suggestions for things I haven't even thought of or heard about.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.popsci.com/futurecity/plan.html">The Green Mega City</a><br/>
I had trouble with this task. So instead - I found this interactive presentation from Popular Science that has suggestions for things I haven't even thought of or heard about.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.popsci.com/futurecity/plan.html">The Green Mega City</a><br/>World Water Day in Niagara - Paint the Raintag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-21:4871302:BlogPost:996472010-04-21T22:28:05.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
I think this idea is fabulous:<br></br><br></br><a href="http://www.niagara.edu/renu/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paint the Rain: Rain Barrel Art Display, February-May 2010</span></a><br></br><br style="font-style: italic;"></br><p style="font-style: italic;">ReNU Niagara and the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper are proud to present a touring display of rain barrels called Paint the Rain: Rain Barrel Art Display. On January 18, 2010 ReNU Niagara and Buffalo Niagara
Riverkeeper partnered to host a community…</p>
I think this idea is fabulous:<br/><br/><a href="http://www.niagara.edu/renu/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paint the Rain: Rain Barrel Art Display, February-May 2010</span></a><br/><br style="font-style: italic;"/><p style="font-style: italic;">ReNU Niagara and the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper are proud to present a touring display of rain barrels called Paint the Rain: Rain Barrel
Art Display. On January 18, 2010 ReNU Niagara and Buffalo Niagara<br />
Riverkeeper partnered to host a community service project in recognition<br />
of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. The event was called<br />
MLK Day of Service: Paint Rain, as it included a service project of<br />
painting rain barrels to be placed at various community garden sites in<br />
Niagara Falls in an effort to promote the use of rain barrels and<br />
awareness of water conservation in the City of Niagara Falls.</p>
<p style="font-style: italic;"><br/></p>
<p style="font-style: italic;">To continue this spirit of civic engagement and "green living" these beautifully painted rain
barrels with original artwork from local resident volunteers inspired by<br />
nature and environmental themes is scheduled for display at the Niagara<br />
Falls Public Library (February 22-March 15, 2010), the Niagara Falls<br />
City Hall (March 17-April 16, 2010), Niagara University Academic Complex<br />
(April 19-25, 2010), and the Niagara Falls High School (April 27-May20,<br />
2010). Included in the display is a description of the service project<br />
and handouts explaining how rain barrels can be used to recycle rain<br />
water runoff and reduce negative impacts on the environment. Addtional<br />
host sites may be included in April. More details to come.</p>
<br/>It would be a cool event to have the community paint rain barrels - perhaps have contests for creativity. I've seen some pretty interesting fire hydrant paints...<br/>Niagara Disaster Reponsetag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-21:4871302:BlogPost:996422010-04-21T22:24:12.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<a href="http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=1224075">An exercise in disaster</a><br></br>
<br style="font-style: italic;"></br><span style="font-style: italic;">One person died and two more were injured during a sulphur dioxide leak at Vale Inco's Port Colborne plant yesterday morning.</span><br style="font-style: italic;"></br><br style="font-style: italic;"></br><span style="font-style: italic;">The city's emergency response plan kicked into action, with Niagara Regional…</span>
<a href="http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=1224075">An exercise in disaster</a><br/>
<br style="font-style: italic;"/><span style="font-style: italic;">One person died and two more were injured during a sulphur dioxide leak at Vale Inco's Port Colborne plant yesterday morning.</span><br style="font-style: italic;"/><br style="font-style: italic;"/><span style="font-style: italic;">The city's emergency response plan kicked into action, with Niagara Regional Police blocking off streets, firefighters from neighbouring communities responding to the city and residents being evacuated from the area, as the leak spread off the property.</span><br style="font-style: italic;"/><br style="font-style: italic;"/><span style="font-style: italic;">Thankfully though, the death, injuries and evacuation were all on paper: Vale Inco, City of Port Colborne, Port Colborne Fire and Emergency Services, Niagara EMS, police and Niagara Region's CBRN team (Chemical Biological Radioactive Nuclear) held a mock disaster at the plant, called Exercise SO2.</span><br style="font-style: italic;"/><br style="font-style: italic;"/><span style="font-style: italic;">"We do training on a regular basis and look at the most likely issues we could have here in the plant," said Mike Hili, Inco's safety and training supervisor.</span><br style="font-style: italic;"/><br style="font-style: italic;"/><span style="font-style: italic;">Hili said the region's emergency preparedness group needed to conduct an exercise in Port Colborne and Inco saw it as a perfect opportunity to work together with various agencies.<br/><br/></span><a href="http://readme.readmedia.com/Air-Guard-Wing-Prepares-for-Disaster-Response-Exercise/975339">Air Guard Wing Prepares for Disaster Response Exercise</a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br/><br/>On Oct. 30 a simulated 5.9 magnitude earthquake will devastate
Niagara and Erie counties. This real life exercise is designed to bring<br />
together both military and civilian responders primarily from the states<br />
and territories in FEMA Regions I and II. Teams from Pennsylvania,<br />
Massachusetts, Vermont and others will work alongside New York State<br />
military and civilian agencies to coordinate and facilitate all aspects<br />
of the weeklong operation.</span><br />
<p style="font-style: italic;">These exercises will be held around the clock, both on the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, home of the 107th/914th Airlift Wings and off
base throughout the surrounding communities. One such exercise is that<br />
of a simulated structural collapse of a hospital, a building and a<br />
parking garage. In the Town of Tonawanda, construction crews have been<br />
systematically placing a combination of rubble, vehicles and mannequins<br />
to create a variety of training scenarios. This realistic site with<br />
talking mannequins is designed to provide rescuers the ability to<br />
perform both search and rescue, and search and recovery exercises. It<br />
will also provide the platform for medical personnel to evaluate and<br />
evacuate the casualties.</p>
<br/>Niagara Crisis - Data Trackingtag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-21:4871302:BlogPost:983532010-04-21T00:03:50.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p>Natural Disasters: Flooding</p>
<p>The Niagara Region (Canada) is nicely nestled in between Lake Erie & Lake Ontario, with Lake Huron nearby. I think if flooding would certainly be an issue here.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Potential Future Crisis: <a href="http://www.livinginniagarareport.com/?cat=35">Environmental</a></p>
<p>There's several things going on here: the climate is changing and is not dependable. We've had warm winters, dry summers or wet summers - strange extremes that don't reflect…</p>
<p>Natural Disasters: Flooding</p>
<p>The Niagara Region (Canada) is nicely nestled in between Lake Erie & Lake Ontario, with Lake Huron nearby. I think if flooding would certainly be an issue here.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Potential Future Crisis: <a href="http://www.livinginniagarareport.com/?cat=35">Environmental</a></p>
<p>There's several things going on here: the climate is changing and is not dependable. We've had warm winters, dry summers or wet summers - strange extremes that don't reflect the norm. It's affected local produce and wineries, and also what people grow privately.I also think we have an issue with contaminated soil (Love Canal in the U.S. is not so far away), and problems with too much garbage</p>
<p></p>
<p>Crowdsourced Crisis Information:</p>
<p>Benefits-quick circulation of information: text, video, voice, image audio</p>
<p>Constraints-it takes a lot of volunteers to keep the information flowing (ie: <a href="http://irevolution.wordpress.com/2010/03/16/netsourcing-to-turksourcing/">translators</a>); cell phone towers go down (need for sattelite access)</p>
<p></p>
<p>How to use Ushahidi locally?</p>
<p>-map the outbreaks of political violence; terrorists</p>
<p>-map & chronicle outbreaks of disease -natural disasters</p>
<p>-critical response information & communication for Emergency Services (police, fire, ambulance)</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>The digital divide is shrinkingtag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-19:4871302:BlogPost:972432010-04-19T23:30:00.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p>I'm interested in access to the internet for everyone - or at least those who could benefit. The digital divide still exist on many levels; urban-rural, developed/ing countries, women-men, plus things like skills and literacy.</p>
<p></p>
<p>2010:</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.digitalopportunity.org/feature/the-digital-divide-is-shrinking"><strong>The digital divide is shrinking</strong></a></p>
<p><em>In 2009, an estimated 26 per cent of the world’s population (or 1.7 billion people)…</em></p>
<p>I'm interested in access to the internet for everyone - or at least those who could benefit. The digital divide still exist on many levels; urban-rural, developed/ing countries, women-men, plus things like skills and literacy.</p>
<p></p>
<p>2010:</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.digitalopportunity.org/feature/the-digital-divide-is-shrinking"><strong>The digital divide is shrinking</strong></a></p>
<p><em>In 2009, an estimated 26 per cent of the world’s population (or 1.7 billion people) were using the Internet. In developed countries the percentage remains much higher than in the developing world <strong>where four out of five people are still excluded from the benefits of being online</strong>. China alone accounted for one-third of Internet users in the developing world. One important challenge in bringing more people online is the limited availability of fixed broadband access, which is primarily confined to Internet users in developed countries and some developing countries.</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>What's being done:</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.comminit.com/en/node/132215/307"><strong>Putting ICTs in the Hands of Women</strong></a></p>
<p><em>Reflecting on the Kanpur-Lucknow initiative, organisers stress that women's strategic interests in content creation should be the guiding principle. They elaborate: "On the technology side, an important direction for the future towards women's economic empowerment is the creation of content and applications that will serve women's interests....The two-fold agenda of advancing women's rights - comprising a basket of social, political and economic rights - and addressing women's economic interests and livelihood concerns is at the core of mobilizing ICTs for women's empowerment....It is important to construct the two as equally critical and explore ways to bundle one with the other. Building online spaces for women to utilize the power of the Internet to enable community building, sharing development experiences, advancing the rights agenda and advocating against exploitation and oppression is a priority."</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><a href="http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org/ourmeetings/2010/meeting_annual_actionareas.asp?Section=OurMeetings&PageTitle=Actions%20Areas&Action_Area=Enhancing_Access_Technology">Enhancing Access to Modern Technology</a></span><br/></p>
<p><em>Technology could revolutionize the education, health care, and economic opportunities available to the world's poor. Distance learning, remote medical treatment, mobile technology, e-commerce, and innovations in energy production and storage can positively affect lives — despite the lack of infrastructure found throughout the developing world. Thus, they can be rapidly implemented and they can quickly deliver benefits to the poor. At the 2010 Annual Meeting, CGI members will discuss how to identify the best technologies and deploy them on a large scale, so they can reach the people who need them most.</em></p>
<p><em>Subtopics may include Disseminating Medical Technology to the Developing World, Utilizing Technology to Reduce Carbon Emissions, Using Distance Learning and Electronic Curricula to Equip Disadvantaged Students, E-Commerce Solutions to Poverty, Getting Internet to Remote Areas, and Mobile Technology for the Base of the Pyramid.</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.coyotecommunications.com/development/women_internet_access.html">Women's Access to Public Internet Centers in Transitional and Developing Countries</a></strong></p>
<p><em><b>Many women and girls can't or may not access public Internet points</b>. Home and family obligations, lack of transportation, low-literacy and perceived lack of value of technology keep many women and girls from accessing public Internet access points.</em></p>
<p><em>There's also another factor that is rarely talked about that keeps women and girls away from public Internet access points: in developing countries in particular, many of these public access points can be male-dominated, with mostly male users and few -- or no -- female users, and for many women, particularly women in developing countries, this makes the public access point off-limits to them.</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>2020:</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'd like to think that we'll continue to see more women producing content online in developed countries, and we'll see more women in developing countries able to access the internet. For these cultures, I think we're going to skip over the cable issues or phone lines, and it'll be wireless mobile web - even in it's simpler forms of smart phones or the one laptop initiative. We'll see women in places like Africa able to sustain their families by selling items they've made - baskets, linens, blankets, jewelery and more.</p>
<p>Outside of gender differences, I think we'll see a governing body for the internet, one that includes representatives from countries worldwide. We'll see censorship issues lifted in countries like China.</p>
<p></p>Raising Awareness - Women in Crisistag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-11:4871302:BlogPost:885322010-04-11T05:55:25.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p>My 'Urgent Evoke' Mission this week is to spread the word about a venture supporting women's rights and opportunities. I've chosen to share "<a href="http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/change-the-lives-of-650-women-in-crisis/">Change the Lives of 650 Women in Crisis</a>" with my Facebook and Twitter network - and I'll share some more info here.<br></br><br></br><a href="http://www.wehelpwomen.com/">Fresh Start Women's Foundation</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Fresh Start is a nonprofit organization…</em></p>
<p>My 'Urgent Evoke' Mission this week is to spread the word about a venture supporting women's rights and opportunities. I've chosen to share "<a href="http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/change-the-lives-of-650-women-in-crisis/">Change the Lives of 650 Women in Crisis</a>" with my Facebook and Twitter network - and I'll share some more info here.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.wehelpwomen.com/">Fresh Start Women's Foundation</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Fresh Start is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women help themselves. We do that through the work of the Jewell McFarland Lewis-Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center, the first comprehensive Center offering quality services to women seeking self-improvement. Whether you are adjusting to a career change, concerned about financial security, coping with difficult family relationships, or seeking opportunities for personal growth and self-sufficiency, Fresh Start is here to support you on your journey.</em> <strong><i><br/></i></strong></p>
<p></p>Stop the Violence Against Haitian Womentag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-10:4871302:BlogPost:878802010-04-10T17:50:42.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<br></br>
<p>Media feeds from the rubbles and ruin of Haiti report that Haitian women are fearing for their safety and their lives.</p>
<p><br></br><a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/quake-leaves-haitian-women-as-prey-for-rapists/story-e6frg6so-1225842036592">Quake leaves Haitian women as prey for rapists</a> - March 18 2010<br></br><br></br><em>Women and children as young as two, already traumatised by the loss of homes and loved ones in the January 12 catastrophe, are falling victim to…</em></p>
<br/>
<p>Media feeds from the rubbles and ruin of Haiti report that Haitian women are fearing for their safety and their lives.</p>
<p><br/><a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/quake-leaves-haitian-women-as-prey-for-rapists/story-e6frg6so-1225842036592">Quake leaves Haitian women as prey for rapists</a> - March 18 2010<br/><br/><em>Women and children as young as two, already traumatised by the loss of homes and loved ones in the January 12 catastrophe, are falling victim to rapists in the sprawling tent cities housing hundreds of thousands of people. Sexual assaults are daily occurrences in the biggest camps, aid workers say, and most attacks go unreported because of the shame, social stigma and fear of reprisals from attackers.</em></p>
<p><br/></p>
<p><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/taina-bienaime/haitian-women-enter-at-ce_b_519103.html">Kathy Mangones</a>, UNIFEM's Haiti Program Coordinator: "I refuse to accept that violence against women is inevitable. We must work toward changing negative male culture that harms women and with education, it will."</p>
<p><br/><a href="http://www.alertnet.org/db/an_art/55076/2010/03/1-155452-1.htm">Rape blights lives of Haiti's quake survivors</a> <br/></p>
<p><em>Overcrowding and insecurity in the camps housing Haiti's quake survivors have put women and girls at increasing risk of rape and much more must be done to police the makeshift villages effectively, human rights activists say.<br/>Some 1.2 million Haitians are crammed into 460 camps in Port-au-Prince alone, often separated from their neighbours by little more than a hanging bed sheet, forced to bathe in public or to walk through dark passages at night. Other survivors are living on the streets, after losing their homes and families.<br/>Haiti's police and judicial services were decimated by the quake and more than 4,000 prisoners escaped from the main jail. Women have lost their male protectors and many men are jobless and frustrated.</em> <br/><br/>Additional News:<br/><br/><a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/791242--canada-slow-to-accept-rape-risk?bn=1">Canada slow to accept rape risk: Immigration board has rejected refugee claims from fearful Haitian women<br/></a><br/><em>Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board has been slow to accept what international aid agencies have been saying for years: Women are at high risk for being raped in Haiti. In several recent decisions, the board has turned down refugee claims from Haitian women who fear becoming victims of sexual violence if deported, despite a significant body of evidence that rape has long been a systemic problem in the country and has worsened since January’s earthquake, with criminal gangs roaming camps.<br/><br/>Critics suggest some board adjudicators are falling victim to rape myths debunked by the Supreme Court of Canada more than 20 years ago. In many cases, adjudicators have concluded rape is a crime much like any other, and men and women are equally at risk of being victims.</em><br/><br/><br/><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/haiti/project-jacmel/in-haitis-camps-civilians-fight-back-against-sex-crimes/article1515132/">In Haiti's camps, civilians fight back against sex crimes<br/></a></p>
<p><em>A grassroots security movement at Pinchinat is trying to protect women and children, who are vulnerable in the dangerous and poorly lit camp</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=d17ff84bfcaaff97673f55e1cb3ccd78">Haitian Women Demand Role in Rebuilding Their Country</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><em>"We can't build a country on aid. We can't run our lives by projects. The women of Haiti suffer disproportionately in the policy environment, and so we must have a policy shift," she said. "We can't afford to have a business-as-usual attitude. We must ensure that in all rebuilding and reconstruction efforts, women's needs, expertise and contributions are recognized."</em></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Local Vision with Global Potentialtag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-10:4871302:BlogPost:878052010-04-10T17:00:22.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">A First Nations Community has taken the economic crisis into their own hands. Suffering at the loss of income, job and social support services (like many North Americans at this time), residences of the community have joined together to create a local economic system that combines innovation, collaboration, community and technology.…</font></font></p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">A First Nations Community has taken the economic crisis into their own hands. Suffering at the loss of income, job and social support services (like many North Americans at this time), residences of the community have joined together to create a local economic system that combines innovation, collaboration, community and technology.</font></font></p>
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<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">For the past 18 months, the 6000 member community have been devising a plan that bridges local business, economy with culture and community. Two years prior, 42 year old resident James Whitefeather met with community leaders at Salt Spring Island in Vancouver to discuss their success with local currency. "I was fascinated by not only how ambitious their idea was, but how their community stuck together and made it happen. I thought, we can do this too", he recalls. But Whitefeather had a bigger vision - one that bridges the generations in his community - that bridge is mobile technology.</font></font></p>
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<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">Whitefeather has spent the last two years not only sharing his vision with his community, but working with them - and industry members - to make it happen. He notes the difficulty in balancing his Native heritage and beliefs with Western values and norms often accompanying information & communication technologies: "How do you convince a generation of Elders that a gadget will not only help the local economy, but help restore, maintain and share our native culture?". He shakes his head and smiles at the recollection, "I wasn't sure I could do it, but I knew I had to try".</font></font></p>
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<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">Whitefeather's vision included a handheld device that would not only work to exchange local currency or trade items or labour, but also a way to stay in touch, post events, and share stories, pictures and videos. Once the Tribe leaders established the new currency system, and had the support of the local banks, business and shopkeepers (no small feat in itself), Whitefeather had to decide what this device would be. With funding from a large Northern Innovation Grant, and business collaboration with Apple and Telus, each household that agreed to participate was given an iPhone (a lend system for two years), along with several 'smart cards' for quick transactions. "The iPhone made the most sense because we could create applications that were specific to our needs". Those homes that wanted and could afford another iPhone were given discounts and incentives for additional phones. "It was a lot of work, a lot of talk and negotiation to get the corporates to work with us, especially in a holistic way that worked out for both sides. But, we did it. I'm really amazed that it worked out. Two very different worlds collaborating - but it's doable" he said.</font></font></p>
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<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">Whitefeather then prompted people - young and old - to create applications that could process transactions with local currency (similar to PayPal), and process trades and labour exchange (a combination of Bump & Business Card exchangers). Residents could also do community services for reward points. To encourage youth members to participate, Whitefeather solicited the help of Shanna, his 14 year old daughter - an avid player of computer games. The two of them developed a reward system where young people would gain experience (XP) for picking up garbage, raking leaves, removing graffiti and so forth - whatever the community needed. They accumulate XP (which is tracked via the application on the iPhone) and can be 'cashed in' once they have enough for local currency or credit for businesses in the community. Youth members can share their progress with their friends through the application, and they can keep track of who is active in the community. "It becomes a competitive game that keeps us interested, but still doing good deeds for the community", Shanna notes.</font></font></p>
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<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">But a new local currency to promote local economy wasn't the only thing Whitefeather was interested in. They developed an application that allowed community members to share stories of their past, their tribes and their experiences. Combining written stories, podcasts and visuals of photo & video, the application works to thread strands of culture and community together. What was his inspiration? "My Great-grandfather and I sat in my kitchen one evening, and he began a tale of the history of our people. It was my one of my favourite teachings. I had a recording device on the table because I had been recording this amazing bird chirping outside my window that morning. I decided would press record while he was talking. I had completely forgot about the audio file until he died a year later. I played the recording and I was so moved. What a gift I had! I wanted to share this with my family, my community. And that's how I came up with this idea. I shared his oral history, along with my own written stories and pictures."</font></font></p>
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<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">I ask how sharing the iPhone with his daughter works out as I'm taking a picture of his phone. He laughs. "She's getting her own, she's doing odd jobs to save up for one. That pink cover is hers, she's marking her territory".</font></font></p>
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<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><img style="WIDTH: 239px; HEIGHT: 347px" alt="" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2234193199?profile=original" width="242" height="481"/></p>
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<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">Not all community members have totally embraced the new technology - it's not for everyone. "I'm really not interested in these gadgets, but I understand that it might be a useful tool to bring us together and make us stronger " said an Elder from the community "Sometimes we have to think outside of our own framework and embrace other ways doing. For the younger people, this integration of old and new makes sense - it's how they were raised" he added. Those who don't want to use the iPhone can use a 'smart card', similar to a debit card that works with the local currency, although they don't get the reward of the interactivity the iPhone can provide; "I'd rather just go and visit people and talk," he said, "but my 16 year old grandson is always sending messages to his cousin who lives too far to see often. I think this is good for him, and for the family."</font></font></p>Creating Local Currencytag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-09:4871302:BlogPost:863352010-04-09T05:30:08.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<a href="http://www.prosperityuk.com/prosperity/articles/saltsp.html">The Example of Salt Spring Island, Vancouver</a> <br></br><br></br><em>Salt Spring Island, off Vancouver, has a population of 10,000. On the 15 September 2001, Salt Spring Island Dollars were launched at the Island's largest annual gathering, the Farmers Institute's Fall Fair. They are the brainchild of the Sustainable Salt Spring Island Coalition which, in the fall of 2000, had been looking at ways to establish a local currency…</em>
<a href="http://www.prosperityuk.com/prosperity/articles/saltsp.html">The Example of Salt Spring Island, Vancouver</a> <br/><br/><em>Salt Spring Island, off Vancouver, has a population of 10,000. On the 15 September 2001, Salt Spring Island Dollars were launched at the Island's largest annual gathering, the Farmers Institute's Fall Fair. They are the brainchild of the Sustainable Salt Spring Island Coalition which, in the fall of 2000, had been looking at ways to establish a local currency which would avoid the problems of the "alternative" currencies, such as Toronto Dollars, LETS and Hours systems. <br/><br/>They discovered the main problem was that none of the present alternative currencies were 100% redeemable into their national currency, and so many people were unwilling to use them if they couldn't "pay the bills."<br/><br/>However, the Salt Spring Island Coalition reckoned that if the currency could generate a profit then it could go into circulation through a one-to-one exchange with the Canadian dollar. It could be backed 100% by the national currency. To their knowledge this had never been achieved by any local currency, anywhere in the world.<br/></em><br/>Interesting (& long) read about how Salt Spring Island saved it's local enconomy.Digital Currencytag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-09:4871302:BlogPost:863272010-04-09T05:12:40.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p><em>Make a real economic transaction this week using a currency, platform or exchange system you've NEVER used before. Tell a story about your experience. What ideas does it give you for sparking the future of money?</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>I already use many different types of alternative currencies really, and can't think of one i have not: pay pal, MS Points, point cards for grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations - air miles, frequent flyers etc. (oi!). 85% of my purchases are done via…</p>
<p><em>Make a real economic transaction this week using a currency, platform or exchange system you've NEVER used before. Tell a story about your experience. What ideas does it give you for sparking the future of money?</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>I already use many different types of alternative currencies really, and can't think of one i have not: pay pal, MS Points, point cards for grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations - air miles, frequent flyers etc. (oi!). 85% of my purchases are done via debit transactions - the other by pre-paid credit cards& cash (you know, for parking, coffee and my teen's lunch money). I can even email my mother cash - and vice versa. dang that's handy.</p>
<p>I see physical cash disappearing - everything will digital transactions in some shape or form. And we'll see many more points and rewards programs - in unexpected places.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Aqua Alliancetag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-08:4871302:BlogPost:850562010-04-08T04:43:26.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p><a href="http://www.waterforpeople.org">Water for People</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Water For People helps people in developing countries improve quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education programs.</em></p>
<p><em>Around the world, 884 million people do not have access to safe drinking water and 2.6 billion are without adequate sanitation facilities. Every day, nearly 6,000 people who share our…</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.waterforpeople.org">Water for People</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Water For People helps people in developing countries improve quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education programs.</em></p>
<p><em>Around the world, 884 million people do not have access to safe drinking water and 2.6 billion are without adequate sanitation facilities. Every day, nearly 6,000 people who share our planet die from water-related illnesses, and the vast majority are children.</em></p>
<p><em>But the real failures are all the broken pumps, filled latrines, and solutions that aren’t. We want to change all that. The solution? Programs that last and examine entire districts and regions rather than purely households and villages. Create solutions that last, and not only do people benefit for a long period, but organizations don’t have to expend time and energy going back again and again to the same location.</em></p>
<p><em>Our vision is a world where all people have access to safe drinking water and sanitation, a world where no one suffers or dies from a water- or sanitation-related disease. That vision is within reach and we hope you’ll join us.</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>*newsletter</p>
<p>*sent e-card</p>
<p>*possible store purchase in support</p>Inspiring Clean Water Projecttag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-08:4871302:BlogPost:850272010-04-08T04:24:12.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.cleanwaterforhaiti.org/">Clean Water for Haiti</a></p>
<p></p>
<p class="home"><em>Clean Water for Haiti (<acronym title="Clean Water for Haiti">CWH</acronym>) is a volunteer run, faith based missions and humanitarian aid organization started in 2001. As a registered non-profit organization in Canada and the US, <acronym title="Clean Water for Haiti">CWH</acronym> works to provide sustainable solutions to the water crisis in Haiti.…</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.cleanwaterforhaiti.org/">Clean Water for Haiti</a></p>
<p></p>
<p class="home"><em>Clean Water for Haiti (<acronym title="Clean Water for Haiti">CWH</acronym>) is a volunteer run, faith based missions and humanitarian aid organization started in 2001. As a registered non-profit organization in Canada and the US, <acronym title="Clean Water for Haiti">CWH</acronym> works to provide sustainable solutions to the water crisis in Haiti.</em></p>
<p class="home"><em>Through Biosand filter projects <acronym title="Clean Water for Haiti">CWH</acronym> is able to provide a simple, effective, and affordable solution to the lack of clean water sources for Haitian families. The household slow sand Biosand filter is a simple design that uses basic readily available materials, allows for easy production, and is easy to transport. There are no moving parts, they do not require electricity and can be used by even the youngest members of the family. With minimal maintenance a Biosand filter can work effectively for over 20 years and we can produce, deliver and install filters for our community filter project for about $40 US.(Please see our training section for more information about how your organization can provide filters for the area of Haiti that you are working in).</em></p>
<p class="home"><em><acronym title="Clean Water for Haiti">CWH</acronym> staff provide essential education and support to filter recipients and their communities. By educating people in proper filter use and good sanitation and hygiene practices, we are able to give them resources, not only for clean water, but also so they can take proactive steps to prevent the spread of disease which gives them control over their own health.</em></p>2020 Celebrations - Powered by the Suntag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-08:4871302:BlogPost:849072010-04-08T02:22:06.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
It's a summer celebration, the family gets together in the backyard. Our portable music devices are powered by solar recharging devices (something like these: <a href="http://www.solio.com/charger/">Solio</a>), so we have great music playing all afternoon, and into the evening. All our cooking is done outside on the BBQ or fire pit; friends and family have brought treats and plenty to eat. As the sun sets, the solar lights come on and offer us a warm glow to continue our festivities.
It's a summer celebration, the family gets together in the backyard. Our portable music devices are powered by solar recharging devices (something like these: <a href="http://www.solio.com/charger/">Solio</a>), so we have great music playing all afternoon, and into the evening. All our cooking is done outside on the BBQ or fire pit; friends and family have brought treats and plenty to eat. As the sun sets, the solar lights come on and offer us a warm glow to continue our festivities.New Way for the Everydaytag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-08:4871302:BlogPost:848912010-04-08T02:10:28.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p>Inspired by my home, which is powered by windmills & solar - I would like to think of something that recycles trash for power. Other things I've looked at (besides of the obvious using less, turning off lights or using candles) are things like <a href="http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/biofuels/biodiesel-fuel/">Biodiesel Fuel</a>:</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Biodiesel Fuel can be produced from a variety of natural crops including rapeseed, soybean, mustard, flax, sunflower,…</em></p>
<p>Inspired by my home, which is powered by windmills & solar - I would like to think of something that recycles trash for power. Other things I've looked at (besides of the obvious using less, turning off lights or using candles) are things like <a href="http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/biofuels/biodiesel-fuel/">Biodiesel Fuel</a>:</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Biodiesel Fuel can be produced from a variety of natural crops including rapeseed, soybean, mustard, flax, sunflower, canola, palm oil, hemp, jatropha and waste vegetable oils. This fuel source is said to reduce engine wear and produce less harmful emissions. Biodiesel is used as an alternative fuel source, but requires engine modifications. There is still a great deal of debate about the pros and cons of biodiesel.</em></p>
<p></p>
<p>or:</p>
<br/><a href="http://fuelandfiber.com/Hemp4NRG/Hemp4NRGRV3.htm">Hemp as Biomass for Energy</a><br/><br/><em>Hemp advocates claim industrial hemp would be a good source of biomass to help address our energy needs. Since the oil crisis in the early seventies much work has been accomplished in the area of energy production using biomass. Biomass is any plant or tree matter in large quantity. These decades of research have lead to the discovery of several ways to convert biomass into energy and other useful products.</em> <br/><br/><em>Ways biomass can be used for energy production<br/>Burning: <br/>· Co-fired with coal to reduce emissions and offset a fraction of coal use<br/>· Burned to produce electricity<br/>· Pelletized to heat structures<br/>· Made or cut into logs for heating</em><br/><br/><p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="http://www.serftosurf.com/hempfacts.htm">Hemp as an Ecological, Renewable Fuel Source</a>. Hemp can also produce 10 times more methanol than corn, the second best living fuel source. Hemp as fuel is renewable whereas oil is not.</font></span></p>
<p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hemp as fuel is environmentally beneficial: It enriches and prevents erosions, it burns clean and sulfur-free while oil's sulfur content causes acid rain.</font></span></p>
<p></p>Power Playertag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-08:4871302:BlogPost:848572010-04-08T01:34:51.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/kamwamba-windmill/">Teen’s DIY Energy Hacking Gives African Village New Hope</a><br></br><br></br><br></br>
<p><em>Some people see lemons and make lemonade. William Kamkwamba saw wind and made a windmill.</em></p>
<p><em>This might not seem like a mighty feat. But Kamkwamba, who grew up in Masitala, a tiny rural farming village off the grid in Malawi, was 14 years old in 2001 when he spotted a photo of a windmill in a U.S. textbook one day. He decided to…</em></p>
<a href="http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/10/kamwamba-windmill/">Teen’s DIY Energy Hacking Gives African Village New Hope</a><br/><br/><br/>
<p><em>Some people see lemons and make lemonade. William Kamkwamba saw wind and made a windmill.</em></p>
<p><em>This might not seem like a mighty feat. But Kamkwamba, who grew up in Masitala, a tiny rural farming village off the grid in Malawi, was 14 years old in 2001 when he spotted a photo of a windmill in a U.S. textbook one day. He decided to make one, hacking together a contraption from strips of PVC pipe, rusty car and bicycle parts and blue gum trees.</em></p>
<p><em>Though he ultimately had big designs for his creation, all he really wanted to do initially was power a small bulb in his bedroom so he could stay up and read past sunset.</em></p>
<p><em>But one windmill has turned into three, which now generate enough electricity to light several bulbs in his family’s house, power radios and a TV, charge his neighbors’ cellphones and pump water for the village’s fields and household use.</em></p>
<p><em>Now 22, Kamkwamba wants to build windmills across Malawi and perhaps beyond. Next summer he also plans to construct a drilling machine to bore 40-meter holes for water and pumps. His aim is to help Africans become self-sufficient and resolve their problems without reliance on foreign aid.</em></p>
<div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); OVERFLOW: hidden; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; TEXT-DECORATION: none" id="TixyyLink"><br/>Amazing.<br/></div>Increasing Food Security - The Localtag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-08:4871302:BlogPost:847492010-04-08T00:00:54.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p>I've decided to try and share some of my knowledge of growing plants and vegetables with my son. As a child, I help the family with the small garden we had - and we ate what we grew. We had numerous failures (insects) but many delicious successes - I want to share that with my son. It's almost planting time here, and we're getting prepping the soil in between bouts of heavy rain. He'll be involved in what to plant and the reasoning behind it, and I'll also be sharing some information about…</p>
<p>I've decided to try and share some of my knowledge of growing plants and vegetables with my son. As a child, I help the family with the small garden we had - and we ate what we grew. We had numerous failures (insects) but many delicious successes - I want to share that with my son. It's almost planting time here, and we're getting prepping the soil in between bouts of heavy rain. He'll be involved in what to plant and the reasoning behind it, and I'll also be sharing some information about local food markets with him. He's already been to a couple of farmer's markets with me. He was also lucky enough to have some experience with his father when he had a farm, and took care of a pony, chickens and rabbits. It was a good thing for him. I want to make sure that this knowledge sharing continues.</p>
<p></p>
<p>What else could I do?</p>
<p></p>
<p>I'd like to see people who grow like to cook, bake or can well - be able to share that (for profit or trade). Something like setting up a neighbourhood network where people can list what they have - canned peaches, fresh pumpernickel (whatever), and then people can perhaps pick up on a weekend. I'd much rather pick up a fresh loaf of bread from a friend than go the grocery store. The neighbours can connect via social media sites (ie facebook & twitter) to update on goods and share knowledge or tips on growing, harvesting etc. I'd like to see this span across the city to promote local growing, but really at the micro level. This isn't for everybody - there's considerable trust involved (but I do think that we can instill accountability and responsibility in this), but it might be really fun, interesting, economical etc for others.</p>A Spring Dinner in March 2020tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-07:4871302:BlogPost:846892010-04-07T23:17:44.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p>I have some land outside of town where I live with my boyfriend, son and mother. I plant as much fruits and vegetables as I can, and eat what I grow. We buy our beef & pork from a local farm, our turkey and chicken from Dave's brother, and we pick up cheese from the mennonites in a small town 100 km north.</p>
<p>On this evening, we're sharing a dinner of BBQ lamb (from a cousin out of town), potatoes & seasonal veggies (my own), bread from the neighbour, and red wine from the…</p>
<p>I have some land outside of town where I live with my boyfriend, son and mother. I plant as much fruits and vegetables as I can, and eat what I grow. We buy our beef & pork from a local farm, our turkey and chicken from Dave's brother, and we pick up cheese from the mennonites in a small town 100 km north.</p>
<p>On this evening, we're sharing a dinner of BBQ lamb (from a cousin out of town), potatoes & seasonal veggies (my own), bread from the neighbour, and red wine from the vineyard 2 km away. For dessert, apple pie (also with own apples). Everything tastes delightful because it is fresh and we either grew it ourselves or know the person who who did. We worry less about the food when we are in control of producing it - we know how it's grown, what it's fed and how long it's been stored.</p>
<p>Sometimes throughout the year, friends and FOAFs get together for large cook outs. here we often trade canned or baked goods and other items of need. It almost feels like a large family - a community of people who are neighbours and friends. Years before people may have called this community survival socialist or that we're hippies in a commune. Instead, I think of our ancestors who lived contently on the land, without the need to destroy the environment, how tribes and villages of people survived food shortages, illness and disease.</p>Local Food Securitytag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-07:4871302:BlogPost:835342010-04-07T06:51:29.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p><strong>Food Security in Ontario, Canada</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>OPHA (Ontario Public Health Association)</p>
<p></p>
<p><em><a href="http://www.opha.on.ca/our_voice/workgroups/food_security.shtml">The OPHA Food Security Network</a> was created in 1993 in response to a resolution which prompted OPHA to develop an advocacy strategy to ensure that food security for all residents of Ontario would be addressed by the government. The group committed itself to working toward the following food…</em></p>
<p><strong>Food Security in Ontario, Canada</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>OPHA (Ontario Public Health Association)</p>
<p></p>
<p><em><a href="http://www.opha.on.ca/our_voice/workgroups/food_security.shtml">The OPHA Food Security Network</a> was created in 1993 in response to a resolution which prompted OPHA to develop an advocacy strategy to ensure that food security for all residents of Ontario would be addressed by the government. The group committed itself to working toward the following food security goals for Ontarians:</em></p>
<ul>
<li><em><b>Food consumption patterns</b> that maximize health and minimize disease;</em></li>
<li><em>Guaranteed <b>means to access</b> affordable, nutritious, and personally acceptable food;</em></li>
<li><em>A sustainable, safe, high-quality <b>food supply</b>;</em></li>
<li><em>A healthy and sustainable <b>natural environment</b>.</em></li>
</ul>
<p><em>The group focuses its activities on:</em></p>
<ul>
<li><em>Raising public awareness about food security in Ontario through the media.</em></li>
<li><em>Advocating for public policies which support food security.</em></li>
<li><em>Participating in conferences, coalitions and networks which promote food security.</em></li>
</ul>
<p>FoodNet Ontario</p>
<p></p>
<p><em><a href="http://foodnetontario.ca/wp/">FoodNet Ontario</a> is a province-wide network of organizations and individuals working together to create sustainable local food systems and achieve (community) food security in communities across Ontario.</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Niagara Food Security</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>Most of the food security issues for the Niagara Region deal with sustaining local economy and encouraging people to buy as much local food as possible. It shouldn't be difficult, but local residents aren't buying local - despite the high quality of the goods (albeit, perhaps more expensive).</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://niagarapresents.net/">Niagara Presents</a>: a community based network that provides co-operative product development, marketing and distribution support to independent Niagara-based growers and processors of specialty foods.</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.niagaralocalfoodcoop.ca/">Niagara Local Food Co-operative</a>: an innovative marketing and distribution system for local farmers, agricultural producers, and consumers. Essentially we are a virtual farmer's market. Instead of driving to the market on specific days, or driving from farm to farm, you can order online at your convenience</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://eatingniagara.blogspot.com/">Eating Niagara:</a> a website devoted to local eating and agriculture in Ontario's Niagara Region.</p>
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<p>I like the Niagara Co-op's iniative to offer local goods online; one can easily view the products and prices, order them and then pick them up. I think this is innovative for Niagara (perhaps not to other larger cities).</p>Imaging the Self in 2020tag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-07:4871302:BlogPost:834932010-04-07T05:55:06.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p>I live in an area outside of town with my partner David & dog and many cats. My mother lives on the property in her own flat. My son is completing his PhD in Quantum Physics at a nearby university, and lives in the basement apartment. We have some land where I plant fruits and vegetables - rather than buy from the store (in the last five years we've seen an increase in ads for 'organic' foods that were later proven to be false & mass produced, and foods that have been genetically…</p>
<p>I live in an area outside of town with my partner David & dog and many cats. My mother lives on the property in her own flat. My son is completing his PhD in Quantum Physics at a nearby university, and lives in the basement apartment. We have some land where I plant fruits and vegetables - rather than buy from the store (in the last five years we've seen an increase in ads for 'organic' foods that were later proven to be false & mass produced, and foods that have been genetically modified). We buy our beef & pork from a local farm, our turkey and chicken from Dave's brother, and we pick up cheese from the mennonites in a small town 100 km north. Having said that, we own mobile devices that keep us constantly connected to the outside world via wifi satellite internet. We have gaming gadgets and platforms that we share and play with together.</p>
<p>Our home isn`t huge, but comfortable with enough room for a house guest in times of need. We`ve rennovated the home (and property) to try and make it more energy efficient: solar panels, wind turbines on the property and composts. In short, we try and live a very <em>green</em> life - and we rely more on sustaining ourselves. We also trade items with our network of friends - some of whom are local, where others we connect with online to arrange longer distance trades. Our network of friends share knowledge and information with one another & collaborate often. We`re green geeks. For me, going back to basics and being self sufficient are not only better for the environment and the local economy, but also better for health reasons given the problems with the food.</p>
<p>I work as Professor at a nearby university still teaching and researching people, communities, societies & cultures. I teach young adults how to critically unpack world issues (and the everyday mundane) and to recognize the problematics, how to consider the significance & implications of these issues, and how to incite social change. Having tenure has freed up time to conduct various research projects and paper writing, where I can spend time with the people and communities I research and teach about.</p>Forging Aheadtag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-07:4871302:BlogPost:834602010-04-07T04:30:20.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p><strong>Choosing a Hero to shadow</strong></p>
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<p>Who: Kjerstin Erickson is the founder of <a href="http://forgenow.org/">FORGE</a>.</p>
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<p>She is 24 years old. She is a student at Stanford. And in her spare time, she works in three refugee camps in Zambia, helping 60,000 refugees build better lives. Interesting <a href="http://www.socialedge.org/blogs/forging-ahead/blogs/global-x/archive/2007/07/24/kjerstin-erickson">interview here</a>.</p>
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<p><em>FORGE’s bottom-up…</em></p>
<p><strong>Choosing a Hero to shadow</strong></p>
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<p>Who: Kjerstin Erickson is the founder of <a href="http://forgenow.org/">FORGE</a>.</p>
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<p>She is 24 years old. She is a student at Stanford. And in her spare time, she works in three refugee camps in Zambia, helping 60,000 refugees build better lives. Interesting <a href="http://www.socialedge.org/blogs/forging-ahead/blogs/global-x/archive/2007/07/24/kjerstin-erickson">interview here</a>.</p>
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<p><em>FORGE’s bottom-up approach is to facilitate a process through which post-conflict communities come up with their own unique and entrepreneurial solutions desgined around their specific challenges, needs, and assets. The options are limitless, and yet its consistently difficult to get people to think beyond the traditional interventions that they’ve always seen. Breaking established thought and dependency patterns is no easy task. It takes immense patience, creativity, and faith. And yet once it does happen,</em> <strong><em>it’s pure magic.</em></strong></p>
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<p>Why: I really admire the initiative, innovation and motivation of this woman. An incredible vision and undertaking. What really struck me about this social entrepreneur is reflected in the passage above: this bottom-up approach focuses on people in the communities. They're involved with the identifying the problems and the solutions, rooted from their own social world & contexts. This is a good fit for own views about social innovation.</p>
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<p>How: I signed up for a newsletter and I'm also following them on twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/socialedge">@socialedge</a></p>
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<p>The 'take-away': "The reality is that [Africans] are dynamic, social and economic actors who have the potential and desire to control their own lives, livelihoods, and futures."</p>Understanding Culturestag:www.urgentevoke.com,2010-04-06:4871302:BlogPost:831742010-04-06T22:33:38.000ZTracy K.http://www.urgentevoke.com/profile/TracyKennedy
<p><strong>Don’t fight culture, <span>Listen to the right people, talk to the people who have the problem – and LISTEN to what they have to say -> Understand by observing the environment, infrastructure, culture and lives of people by being there.</span></strong></p>
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<p><span>How does this change the world?</span></p>
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<p><span>One of the dangers in constructing potential innovations for social change is how we think about innovation and change. Suggestions for social changes…</span></p>
<p><strong>Don’t fight culture, <span>Listen to the right people, talk to the people who have the problem – and LISTEN to what they have to say -> Understand by observing the environment, infrastructure, culture and lives of people by being there.</span></strong></p>
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<p><span>How does this change the world?</span></p>
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<p><span>One of the dangers in constructing potential innovations for social change is how we think about innovation and change. Suggestions for social changes stem from where people are geographically located, and cultural & social context. Prominient social issues vary from neighbourhood to neighbourhood - from city to city - and from country to country. We must be careful not to generalize our needs and experiences to the rest of the world, or apply our own worldviews and idologies to the rest of the planetary population (social scientists refer to this as ethnocentrism).</span></p>
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<p><span>There is an overarching global drive to make positive social changes in the world - but there may be different kinds of changes that need to be made. I see all innovation initiatives (where some may be simmilar and others different - say, between countries or cities) as puzzle pieces, part of the larger puzzle that is solved by everyone collectively - albeit perhaps in different ways with different foci.</span></p>
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<p><span>We need to understand the communities we are trying to change for the better - but how can we do that without the input of the people who live in those neighbourhoods, towns, cities, countries? How can we - as outsiders - look upon their problems and offer help when we might not truly understand what the problem is? How can we possibly conceptualize effective social innovation without understanding the very people we want to help - the societies we want to make better for everyone? People are a wealth of knowledge, we need to listen and learn.</span></p>
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<p><span>We muyst actively seek to investigate and research the people and cultures to truly understand the issues, and effectively work towards resolutions and innovations with those people; collaboration.</span></p>