Welcome to the Think Space

On January 22nd, MBD staff began the process of developing the Community Economic Think Space.
Objective:
The think space will be to explore and analyze the in-depth impacts of microenterprise development, foster grassroots community building, and create awareness of the issues surrounding community economic growth and health. Finally, the think tank will involve every member of the community in the creation and implementation of solutions to community-wide issues.
Goals:
To include, inform, and influence policy makers
To provide people with a forum to advocate for themselves and their communities
To develop and implement solutions to community issues
The Think Space will be...
A forum for community members, service providers, funders, and policy makers to come together and share ideas, identify issues, and push the edges of community economic development. The think space will create awareness of the issues of community business owners, moblize support, and foster community engagement from all sectors of the community. The think space will be fueled by the needs of the community members, providing a voice and involving them in all phases of the project. The think tank will also identify best practices within Microenterprise to help ensure that efficient, relevant, and timely services are being provided to entrepreneurs in Colorado. Additionally, it will make connections to other industries working towards overall community economic development, and develop a broader strategy for reaching a common goal.
Above all, the think space will be a centralized and focused forum for idea sharing and learning in the community, whatever that community may grow to be, and it will be driven by the needs of that community.
The Community will...
-Provide input on economic issues facing business owners and other members of the community
-Advocate for themselves and the community
-Plan and attend regular, community-led information sessions
-Take lead roles in the implementation of intiatives and solutions
-Actively engage in networking and idea-sharing tools
MBD Clients will...
-Form key focus groups to brainstorm focus areas
-Identify strategies for including people in the think space
-Disseminate information to the greater community
MBD Staff will...
-Help to identify key members of the community
-Drive internal efforts through participation in the innovation box and staff learning opportunities
-Identify and research industry 'hot topics'
-Facilitate community forums and keep momentum going
The Community Economic Development Think Space is designed to think beyond the status quo when it comes to holistic community development; to push the envelope and create strategies that will influence policy, improve community networks and services, and utlimately redefine what community economic development means.
Let us hear what you have to say!
This is merely the begining of the conversation, and we invite all those who have ideas and concepts to share to do so by utilizing this blog and by taking part in the upcoming community forums.

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Your Voice at the UN -- May 1, 2007

The second full day coordinating with interest groups and preparing to lobby government delegates! I am having the time of my life, but I'm exhausted!

I noticed today that I am very comfortable talking about certain aspects of sustainable development, and hardly feel qualified on others (even though I am asked to speak on behalf of the Youth Caucus for those issues too!). I think what has happened is that I have been entrenched in one field the past three years--developed in depth knowledge about microenterprise, issues around economic development and organizational development.

I don’t think I behave as a delegate today as I would have when I was a student of political science without on the ground experience with the work of implementation. While I know about economic development and have been the bridge to linking these concepts to energy and waste reduction and air pollution within the context of microenterprise, this Convention is a tremendous learning opportunity for me about many other environmental issues!

Today I attended the strategy meeting of the NGO’s. I love to network with these folks as I’m more familiar with this work culture from my own experience. I also assisted in crafting the Youth Caucus statement on Industrial Development. We had a 1 minute slot on the floor of the UN to communicate what we feel needs to change in the current policy proposal, and what our priorities are for sustainable development. Read our statement here.

Today’s definition:

Poverty is a condition in which a person or community is deprived of, and or lacks the essentials for a minimum standard of well-being and life. Poverty may also be defined in relative terms. In this view income disparities or wealth or power disparities are seen as an indicator of poverty.

Poverty reduction (or poverty alleviation) is any process which seeks to reduce the level of poverty in a community, or amongst a group of people or countries. Poverty reduction programs may be aimed at economic or non-economic poverty. Some of the popular methods used are education, economic development, and income redistribution. Poverty reduction efforts may also be aimed at removing social and legal barriers to income growth among the poor.

Sustainability Stat of the Day: Did you know that the current crisis in Darfur, Sudan involving ethnic cleansing is fundamentally linked to a water shortage? This climate-change related issue helped spur the ethnic and racial tension in Darfur, and many argue that the solution must address water to create a lasting peace at all. (http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=10888)

Thanks all for now. I leave for the UN every morning at 7:45 and often don’t get back until 11 or midnight. Pauses in the blog mean only there is work being done here!

Signing off,

Caitlin

Posted by CaitHedberg at 2:04 PM

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