The Connexions Calendar

www.connexions.org/CxCalendar.htm

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The Connexions Calendar is produced and distributed in association with SOURCES.
SOURCES helps organizations publicize their issues, promote themselves to the media, and send out unlimited news releases. To learn about becoming a SOURCES member see the FAQ or use the online form.

In 2011, the Environment and Diversity Project supported six organizations as they embarked on their own initiatives that that would help them better reflect and engage ethno-cultural and/or Aboriginal communities.

Join us for a series of one-hour webinars as these organizations impart their findings from their projects, and learn from them as they share their experiences in striving to be more diverse and inclusive.

- Monday, March 5, 1:30 - 2:30pm EST - Ontario Environmental Network (OEN) "Working with Indigenous Communities"

- Wednesday, March 21, 1:30 - 2:30pm EST - FutureWatch
"Changing Faces"

- Wednesday, April 4, 1:30 - 2:30pm EST - Greenest City
"Managing our Diversity Initiative"

- Tuesday, April 17, 1:30 - 2:30pm EST - Halton Environmental Network (HEN)
"Connecting with Ethno-Cultural Communities in Halton"

- Wednesday, May 2, 1:30 - 2:30pm EST - Women's Healthy Environments Network (WHEN)
"Engaging Newcomer Women and Families"

- Wednesday, May 16, 1:30 - 2:30pm EST - Bonnechere River Watershed Project (BRWP)
"Working with Algonquins of the Pikwakanagan First Nation"

Webinar is free but registration is required. We are taking registration for the March 5th webinar session.
To register, please send an email to registrations@sustainabilitynetwork.ca (with your full name and affiliation).

Time:  1:30 pm - 2:30 pm EST
Website:  http://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/
Categories:   Environment

Four-Season Permaculture Design Course

An internationally recognized 72-hour training in the ethics, principles, methods, techniques and practices of Permaculture Design.

Course Begins with: Introduction to Permaculture - Feb 25-27 (optional)
Four Season Permaculture: Winter (Mar 31 - April 2), Spring (May 26-28), Summer (Jul 28-30), Fall (Sep 22-24)
Design Project Presentation & Graduation Party - Nov 24-25

Learn about Permaculture Throughout the Seasons, with a Focus on Temperate Climates


This course is an experiential training designed to take a permaculture student through the four seasons of nature's rhythms. You will acquire the skills to meet the challenging cultural, environmental and energy-supply changes that face us. You will learn how to use the same principles that create healthy ecological systems that are self-sustaining and apply them to your homes and gardens. You will learn principles for sustainable energy systems and water supplies, healthy communities, meaningful and fulfilling work, ecological economies and inner permaculture movements for change.

This course will:
* take permaculture students through the four-seasons of nature's rhythms
* teach students to observe and to use the principles that create self-sustaining ecological systems, and integrated them in their homes and gardens
* bring permaculture principles to energy systems and water supplies, healthy communities, meaningful and fulfilling work, ecological economies and inner permaculture.

Location:  London, ON
Website:  http://www.thelivingcentre.com/cms/four-season-permaculture
For information contact:  Shantree Kacera, info@thelivingcentre.com
Phone:  519-652-9109
Categories:   Environment

Every May, members of the Association of Day Care Operators of Ontario (ADCO) participate in ADCO's annual Kids Helping Kids Walkathon event to raise money for Ontario's four regional children's hospitals. The staff, children and families at each centre coordinate their own special Walkathon day and direct the funds to the children's hospital of their choice--Toronto, London, Hamilton or Ottawa. Centres across the province participate. Since 1987, the event has raised over a million dollars.

Time:  Contact individual centres for exact dates and times
Venue:  ADCO Member Centres Across Ontario
Website:  http://www.adco-o.on.ca
For information contact:  Joan Willms, Walkathon Chair
Phone:  416.291.2058
Categories:   Children & Youth; Health/Health Care

55th Annual International Association for Great Lakes Research conference in collaboration with the St. Lawrence River Institute Ecosystem conference. IAGLR 2012 will feature plenary speakers and focused sessions that highlight studies of the basic ecology, chemistry, and physics of the Great Lakes. Other sessions will report environmental issues related to water levels, water quality, invasive species, and climate change, and the unique characteristics, importance, and problems of connecting channels and rivers, components of the Great Lakes system that are understudied and not well understood.

Venue:  Nav Centre
Location:  1950 Montreal Road, Cornwall, ON
Website:  http://iaglr.org/conference/
For information contact:  Christina Collard, christinacollard@gmail.com
Categories:   Environment

Twenty years after the Earth Summit in Rio, the linkage of sustainable development to economic growth requires profound rethinking. It has not offered a convincing solution to one of the most dramatic crises in history: how to avert ecological collapse while enhancing social justice and improving life’s prospects. In advance of Rio plus 20, our Conference seeks to challenge and move beyond the sustainable development agenda. A degrowth perspective will help us visualize and build towards a truly prosperous world.
Drawing from previous degrowth conferences in Paris and Barcelona in 2008 and 2010 respectively, the Montreal conference will focus on the particular situations and dynamics of the Americas. What does degrowth mean for our Hemisphere with its rich geographical, cultural, social and economic diversity? How can degrowth models apply to different contexts from the Arctic to Tierra del Fuego? What does degrowth mean for the indigenous peoples of the Americas and their aspirations for their lands and peoples? How can degrowth concepts be made audible, understandable and acceptable to rich North Americans?
This gathering will bring together academics, activists, environmentalists and indigenous peoples to discuss our needs and hopes for diverse and more equitable societies in the Americas, on a post-growth healing earth.

Location:  Montreal, QC
Website:  http://montreal.degrowth.org/
For information contact:  montreal@degrowth.net.
Categories:   Environment; Economic Development

The Permaculture Design Course is a 72 hour intensive course combining theory with practical hands on learning. Participants will learn Permaculture design principles & techniques. The course includes lectures, discussions, hands-on, slide shows, field trips and design projects. We will examine the underlying assumptions of the current culture of consumerism and economic globalization, and encourage exploration of ways to contribute to the emergence of a culture of sustainability, compassion and equity. The Permaculture Design Certificate course covers a broad range of subjects to provide a holistic overview of Permaculture systems and sustainable living. Some of the topics/ themes to be covered:
* Evidence for change & the ethics of sustainability
* Principles of Permaculture
* Observation & landscape analysis
* Ecological planning & design methods
* Organic food production and food security
* Climatic factors in design
* Soils: Natural soil improvement
* Integrated animal systems
* Water: harvesting, conservation,and management
* Agroforestry & forest gardening
* Appropriate technologies & renewable energy systems
* Mapping & design exercises
* Techniques and design strategies for both urban & rural applications
* Ecovillages & sustainable human settlements

Location:  Vancouver, BC
Website:  http://ourecovillage.org/
For information contact:  Info@ourecovillage.org
Phone:  250-743-3067
Categories:   Environment

Organic Fair Farm and Garden in partnership with Cowichan Green Community (CGC) are hosting a Food Revolution Day event on May 19th . They are joining over 800 groups from 45 countries that have signed up to take action and support the Jamie Oliver Foundation in its launch of its first-ever Food Revolution Day, a global day of action to inspire, educate, and empower people everywhere to stand up for real food.

Time:  Food Revolution Day Activities: Healthy & Delicious Cooking Demonstrations (11AM, 1PM & 3PM), Dark C
Location:  Cobble Hill, BC
Website:  http://foodrevolutionday.com
For information contact:  vanessa@cowichangreencommunity.org
Phone:  250-748-8506
Categories:   Food & Beverage; Environment

Palestinians and communities in solidarity will march from Clark Park at 14th and Commercial at to Grandview Park, where a rally will follow. The march calls for the right of return of Palestinian refugees, and an end to the ongoing ethnic cleansing, occupation, mass imprisonment and apartheid in Palestine. The events will also stand against Canada's own genocide against indigenous people. For more information, please email nakbavancouver@gmail.com.

Time:  2 p.m.
Venue:  Clark Park to Grandview Park
Location:  Start at 14th and Commercial, Vancouver, BC
For information contact:  Hanna Kawas
Phone:  604-992-4346
Categories:   Social Change, Social Justice, Alternatives; International; Human Rights, Law, Legal

The Project ECOSPHERE, Quebec’s most important environmental event, expects over 200 exhibitors and will present no less than 30 conferences.
We wish to mention the participation of the famous astrophysicist, Hubert Reeves, and that of world-renowned environmentalist David Suzuki, as guest speakers. Sabine Karsenti and Emmanuel Bilodeau are the spokespeople of this highly anticipated rendezvous.
We invite the public to discover the current businesses and organisations that work in a variety of sectors, such as: green architecture, new technologies, clean energy, ecological agriculture, nature conservation, sustainable transportation, fashion and design as well as alternative medicine. These passionate exhibitors will explain their innovative products and services to you, those that will allow you to accentuate your green curve, and they will propose concrete actions to take together a step towards a healthier world. There will also be information on ecological housing, self-construction, masonry heaters, and geothermal heating.
Also on the menu: shows, animation, activities for the entire family, cooking and do-it-yourself workshops, ecological photo exhibitions from the Biosphere as well as the presentation of documentaries such as Surviving Progress, in the presence of director Mathieu Roy. Visitors may also take advantage of the healthy and creative restaurants, daycare center as well as a large farmers market.

Venue:  Technopôle Angus
Location:  2600 Rue William Tremblay, Montreal, QC
Website:  http://projetecosphere.org/?lang=en
For information contact:  info@ecosphere.org
Phone:  450-538-5005
Categories:   Environment

Come by Patagonia Toronto and join Good Food Revolution founder and managing editor Malcolm Jolley for an after-work gathering celebrating artisan food of Ontario. Enjoy some of the most delicious edibles to come out of our Province!
Doors open @ 6pm and begins @ 6:30pm. The event is FREE, but space is limited so please RSVP by calling the store (416-861-1102) or on Facebook @ facebook.com/PatagoniaToronto.
500 King Street West

Time:  Doors open @ 6pm and begins @ 6:30pm.
Location:  500 King Street West, Toronto, ON
Website:  http://www.patagonia.com
For information contact:  Cory Gould, cory_gould@patagonia.com
Phone:  416-861-1102
Categories:   Food & Beverage; Farming

Are you a Runner or a Walker?

Are you looking for a way to have some healthy fun with family or friends, and make a contribution to a cause you believe in? Then, we may have just the right thing for you!

After a very successful 2011 campaign (many thanks to everyone who walked, ran or donated!), USC Canada is expanding our Run for Biodiversity (R4B) campaign to 4 cities this year, and we're looking for runners and walkers to join our R4B fundraising team in 2012!

Please note: we've just found out that the Ottawa races are filling up very fast, so if you are planning on participating, we do recommend that you don't delay and register today! The Ottawa half-marathon is already 84% sold out, and the marathon and 10km races are close to 50% sold out.

If you do register, or simply want more information about how you can support farmers in this way, please send an email to David Rain at R4B usc-canada.org*

Who is USC Canada?

USC Canada helps farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America grow more food for their families, in ways that are kind to the environment and that nurture biodiversity. We were founded in 1945 by Dr Lotta Hitschmanova, one of Canada's most beloved humanitarian leaders.

Location:  Ottawa, ON
Website:  http://run4biodiversity.org
For information contact:  David Rain
Categories:   Environment; Sports & Games; Farming

2012 Plant Walks: Herbs and Wild Foods in the City

Join Amber Westfall for a series of plant walks. Learn the basics of plant identification, safe and sustainable harvesting practices, preparations and uses of locally growing, wild plants.

Saturday May 26, 2-4pm
Spring tonics and tender greens
Windsor park, meet in the parking lot

Saturday June 23, 2-4pm
Flower Power
Kilborn Allotment Gardens, Pleasant Park parking lot

Saturday July 21, 2-4pm
The Herbs of High Summer
Location TBD

Saturday August 18, 2-4pm
Wild Sun Teas and Sumacade
Location TBD

Saturday September 29, 2-4pm
Fruits and Roots
Location TBD

Walks are $15 each. Space is limited to 20 participants.
Must register in advance.

Location:  Ottawa, ON
For information contact:  Amber Westfall, wildfoodinthecity@gmail.com
Categories:   Nature & Outdoors; Education; Farming

Oak and Orca Bioregional School is hosting its 10th annual Bioregional Fair. This is a FREE community event-there is something for everyone. The fair will offer a variety of children's crafts and activities, free workshops and demonstrations to inspire, educate and connect people in the community; a silent auction featuring local and eco-friendly items; healthy lunch and bake sale; used book sale and more. For more information contact Caroline by phone 250-812-8782 or email caroline [at] gatherings.ca

BIOREGIONALISM is the practice of intimately exploring, knowing and caring for the natural and human communities within a region defined by nature. As 'bioregion" literally means territory of life, the goal is to learn about and connect with a place based on all its life-forms. This is achieved by appreciating the ecology, history, culture and cycles of the seasons where we live. Named after a tree and an animal in our bioregion, OAK & ORCA BIOREGIONAL SCHOOL encourages children to be strong, self-directed learners with an interest in sustainable communities.

Rain or shine the Fair will go on!!!

Location:  Victoria, BC
Website:  http://www.oakandorca.ca/biofair
For information contact:  Caroline, caroline@gatherings.ca
Phone:  250-812-8782
Categories:   Education; Children & Youth; Environment

Oak and Orca Bioregional Fair
Sun May 27, 2012
2738 Higgins Street (near Cook and Hillside) Victoria, BC

Come to the Oak and Orca Bioregional Fair!!!

Oak and Orca Bioregional School is hosting its 10th annual Bioregional Fair, SUNDAY MAY 27, 2012 11AM-3PM. This is a community event-there is something for everyone.

The fair will offer a variety of children's crafts and activities, free workshops and demonstrations to inspire, educate and connect people in the community; a silent auction featuring local and eco-friendly items; healthy lunch and bake sale; used book sale and more.

BIOREGIONALISM is the practice of intimately exploring, knowing and caring for the natural and human communities within a region defined by nature. As 'bioregion" literally means territory of life, the goal is to learn about and connect with a place based on all its life-forms. This is achieved by appreciating the ecology, history, culture and cycles of the seasons where we live. Named after a tree and an animal in our bioregion, OAK AND ORCA BIOREGIONAL SCHOOL encourages children to be strong, self-directed learners with an interest in sustainable communities.

Rain or shine the Fair will go on!!!

Time:  11AM-3PM
Location:  2738 Higgins Street (near Cook and Hillside), Victoria, BC
Website:  http://oakandorca.ca/biofair
For information contact:  caroline@gatherings.ca
Phone:  250-812-8782
Categories:   Education; Environment; Farming

For many activists, writing induces more anxiety than all other work. As a result, we often avoid it altogether. This pattern produces organizational challenges - many activist groups have only one or two regular writers - but the more significant consequences are longer-term. For all its frustrations, writing makes us clearer thinkers and, by extension, better activists; we don't want to miss out on these benefits. In this workshop, participants will be encouraged to think carefully about the writing process itself, effective methods for improvement, and approaches to (alternative) publishing.
Suggested donation: organizations and wage earners: $20; unwaged: $10. No one turned away for lack of funds.

Time:  Time: Sunday May 27, 10am - 1pm OR 3pm - 6pm.
Venue:  St. George Campus, University of Toronto
Location:  Exact room location given within a week of the training date to those who have registered. We will also post the exact room location on this website., Toronto, ON
Website:  http://www.toolsforchange.net
For information contact:  Clare O'Connor
Categories:   Education; Politics & Political Organizations; Arts & Culture

Want to own a home in a green community?
Want to live in the west end?
Ready to buy soon?
The Toronto ecoHousing Community is planning a 20- to 30-unit community, and we're looking for additional members. At this information session, we'll share:
- Info on cohousing (as opposed to a co-op or a condo);
- Details on the group's members and history;
- Our vision, to do list, and time line.
Space is limited. Childcare and light snacks provided. RSVP by Friday May 25th to info (at) torontoecohousingcommunity.ca
Creating a sustainable cohousing community downtown
http://torontoecohousingcommunity.ca

Time:  6 - 8 p.m.
Location:  60 Lowther Ave (near St. George subway station), Toronto, ON
Website:  http://torontoecohousingcommunity.ca
For information contact:  info@torontoecohousingcommunity.ca
Categories:   Environment; Social Services

7th ITU Symposium on ICTs, the Environment and Climate Change

The main purpose of this event is to move forward the agenda on using ICTs to monitor climate change, mitigate and adapt to its effects. The symposium in Montreal will focus on the issue of ICTs, the environment and climate change in the world and the needs for the use of ICTs to promote environmental sustainability.

Remote participation will be available (registration on-line)
http://www.itu.int/cgi-bin/htsh/edrs/ITU-T/workshop/edrs.registration.form?_eventid=3000382

Location:  Montreal, QC
Website:  http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/climatechange
For information contact:  ITU/TSB Green Standard Secretariat, greenstandard@itu.int
Categories:   Environment; Internet

The Man Who Planted Trees, by Scotland's Puppet State Theatre Company
The Ottawa International Children's Festival presents The Man Who Planted Trees by Scotland's Puppet State Theatre (for ages 7 and up). It is a unique blend of comedy, puppetry and inspiring storytelling and shows us the difference one person can make in the world. The performance lasts 60 minutes and tickets are $12.50 per person (groups of students pay less).
Show times are as follows:
- Wednesday, May 30th: 9am and 11am
- Thursday, May 31st: 1:15pm
- Friday, June 1st: 9am and 11am
- Saturday, June 2nd: 2pm and 4pm
- Sunday, June 3rd: 9am and 11 am
Location: Barney Danson Theatre - War Museum
The Festival site (LeBreton Flats Park) also includes environmental workshops for kids (seed planting, beekeeping, bicycle safety and more).For more information, please visit ottawachildrensfestival.ca. If you have any questions or if you are interested in purchasing tickets, please contact Patrick (Paco) Darvasi at (613) 241-0999 or at paco (at) ottawachildrensfestival.ca

Time:  Wednesday, May 30th: 9am and 11am • Thursday, May 31st: 1:15pm • Friday, June 1st: 9am and 11am
Venue:  Barney Danson Theatre - War Museum
Location:  Ottawa, ON
Website:  http://ottawachildrensfestival.ca/
For information contact:  Patrick (Paco) Darvasi, paco@ottawachildrensfestival.ca
Phone:  (613) 241-0999
Categories:   Arts & Culture; Children & Youth; Environment

Ottawa has the highest per capita square footage of office space of any market in Canada. The city also has a housing sector with an above average amount of multi-unit residential properties.
With most new developments targeted to achieve top levels of LEED certification, higher building performance, greater energy efficiency, and many other features of green properties, what does the future hold for the older stock?
Renewing older buildings can provide many financial and environmental benefits that conventional buildings do not. These attributes include energy and water savings, reduced waste, improved indoor environmental quality, greater employee comfort and productivity, and lower operations and maintenance costs.
Mounting evidence supports the contention that greener buildings can command relatively higher rents and asset value, enhance occupant health and well-being, improve employee productivity, attract tenants more quickly, reduce tenant turnover, and cost less to operate and maintain.

Location:  Ottawa, ON
Website:  http://www.sustainabuild.com/ottawa
For information contact:  Maria Encarnacion, york@mmart.com
Phone:  416-512-3807
Categories:   Real Estate; Environment

Come check out Patagonia Toronto on May 31st as Toronto food-advocate Brad Long of Cafe Belong and Veritas joins us to discuss the fine balance between local, organic and sustainable foods. Together we will explore the history and future of the local food movement and talk about what these terms should mean to us as consumers. Learn how to vote with your grocery dollar!
Doors open @ 6pm and begins @ 6:30pm. The event is FREE, but space is limited so please RSVP by calling the store (416-861-1102) or on Facebook @ facebook.com/PatagoniaToronto.

Time:  Doors open @ 6pm and begins @ 6:30pm.
Location:  500 King Street West, Toronto, ON
Website:  http://facebook.com/PatagoniaToronto
Phone:  416-861-1102
Categories:   Food & Beverage

It is a huge understatement to say that the goods movement sector is vital to Ontario's economy. Without trucks, trains, ships, planes, vans, cars, bikes and foot messengers, we wouldn't have the products and services we need to survive and prosper. But inadequate transport infrastructure, increasing traffic congestion, fuel costs and hours on the road threaten the sector's profitability, the province's investment opportunities and, ultimately, our quality of life.
This packed day of learning and interactive discussion is divided into three distinct sessions so you can focus on each mobility pricing measure separately. You will have plenty of time for Q&A and to network with our speakers and other delegates. Proceedings will be captured and added to a Transport Futures communications tool kit to be released in 2013.

Location:  Toronto, ON
Website:  http://www.transportfutures.ca/goods
For information contact:  info@transportfutures.ca
Phone:  519-767-3339
Categories:   Education; Transportation & Travel

Canada's premier event for Persons with Disabilities, Seniors with Special Needs and Professionals working in related areas.
People in Motion features 63,000 square feet of exhibits which include adapted vehicles, mobility aids, barrier-free design, rehabilitation services, home health care products, accessible travel, leisure activities, technical aids, employment information, corporate services and government programs. People in Motion is Canada's most comprehensive exhibition for people with disabilities of all ages, as well as their families and friends.This event is fun and enlightening.

Time:  10AM-5PM
Venue:  Queen Elizabeth Building
Location:  180 Princes' Blvd, M6K 3C3, Toronto, ON
Website:  http://www.people-in-motion.com
For information contact:  sales@piminc.ca
Phone:  905-271-9800
Categories:   Disability Issues; Seniors; Health/Health Care

Winnipeg will be host to the annual national CASE (Canadian Association for Supported Employment) conference this coming June. It is expected that over 250 delegates will attend the conference at the Delta Winnipeg Hotel to discuss strategies and successes of supporting persons with disabilities to work. The conference will bring together service providers, advocates and educators to share tools, resources and innovative practices in supported employment. CASE is a national network of service providers and citizens who are concerned about the full participation of persons with disabilities in the Canadian labour force.
Supported Employment is a term used to describe supports provided to individuals with disabilities to acquire employment in integrated settings. The concept of supported employment has made it possible for individuals with moderate-to-severe levels of disabilities to become active, wage-earning members of the workforce.
Across Canada, people with disabilities experience high rates of unemployment and poverty. Organizers hope to engage local businesses and service providers in this opportunity to learn about supported employment and explore the benefits of inclusion and diversity in the workforce.
The conference is being organized by the Manitoba Supported Employment Network, which is a non-profit organization committed to promoting and strengthening supported employment activities.

Venue:  Delta Winnipeg Hotel
Location:  Winnipeg, MB
Website:  http://supportedemployment.ca/en/
For information contact:  sage.skills@tlcwpg.ca
Phone:  204 257 0813
Categories:   Labour, Workplace, Unions; Disability Issues

The conference will examine how the transfer of science publishing into the digital environment affects editors in their daily work and how they can exploit new technologies to improve their services to authors, their journals and their businesses/organizations. This topic will be addressed in four plenary sessions and multiple parallel sessions. We welcome suggestions for topics for sessions and submitted papers within this general theme. Practical workshops will be organised as below, if there is sufficient demand.
Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia, renowned for its mix of the old and the new. The enchanting centuries-old streets, towers and squares include many vibrant restaurants, cafes and clubs that give Tallinn its energy and buzz. Helsinki is an hour away by boat and there are easy links from Sweden and Riga. Several European airlines, including EasyJet and RyanAir, fly direct to Tallinn.
The 48-hour schedule for the main conference (Friday afternoon to Sunday lunchtime) allows delegates a concentrated and affordable meeting with the option of extending their visit to Tallinn should they wish.

Please submit a title and outline by 10th June 2011
Please submit a title and 200-word abstract by 15th September 2011
Please submit a title and 200-word abstract by 1st April 2012

Early member registration €199
Late member registration €229 (Deadline for early registration is 1st May 2012)

Location:  Tallinn, Estonia
Website:  http://www.ease.org.uk/publications/2nd%20circular%20Tallinn%202012.pdf
Categories:   Publishers & Publishing; Journalism, Writing, Literary, Language

Ecofest Barrie is a community collaboration that brings together individuals and organizations from many walks of life under the common theme of building a sustainable future. We come together to celebrate nature and share ideas on protecting our planet while creating a healthy, prosperous, inclusive community.
This year's festival offers something for everyone. Our cafe will be a lush, green setting to enjoy fresh meals prepared with ingredients sourced locally. Free programming throughout the event will feature cooking demonstrations, healthy living talks, live music from local artists, a special Green Mile featuring alternative transportation options, green artisans and businesses and discussions with decision makers on local environmental issues. Bring the kids to enjoy our Kids Zone with a live hip-hop performer, games and crafts. Trashfusion, our alternative fashion design competition, should not be missed!

Location:  Barrie, ON
Website:  http://www.ecofestbarrie.ca
For information contact:  Ecofestbarrie@gmail.com
Categories:   Environment; Arts & Culture

The Canadian School of Peacebuilding has been created to serve practitioners, professionals, activists, students, non-governmental organizations and faith-based groups engaged in peacebuilding. Its goal is to serve peacebuilders around the world by bringing them together in a collaborative learning community, nurturing and equipping them for various forms of peace practice and exposing them to some of the most significant, emerging ideas and teachers in the field. The fourth annual Canadian School of Peacebuilding will consist of two 5-day sessions, each with three courses running concurrently. We invite you to participate in your choice of courses for personal inspiration, professional development, or academic credit. The Canadian School of Peacebuilding is an institute of Canadian Mennonite University.

Session I (Jun.18-22)
* Great Leaders of Peace: Stories of Aboriginal, Canadian and International Leaders
* Peace Skills Practice
* Speaking Out... And Being Heard - Citizen Advocacy

Session II (Jun.25-29)
* Participant Driven Processes: Cultivating Change, Respecting Difference
* Faith, Music and Inter-Ethnic Reconciliation
* Women and Peacebuilding

Venue:  Canadian School of Peacebuilding
Location:  500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, MB
Website:  http://csop.cmu.ca/
For information contact:  csop@cmu.ca
Phone:  204-487-3300
Categories:   Human Rights, Law, Legal

The Transformative Learning Centre is based at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. The TLC Approach to Transformative learning involves experiencing a deep, structural shift in basic premises of thought, feelings, and actions. It is a shift of consciousness that dramatically and permanently alters our way of being in the world.
The Transformative Learning Centre Summer Institute is a participatory learning event that brings together Canadian and international activists, academics, practitioners and community members to share ideas and facilitate learning. Throughout the three weeks, participants take part in interactive short courses and workshops combining theory and practice, on topics such as dream work, ecological wisdom and the PeaceMeal Project!
The theme for the 2012 TLC Summer Institute is DEEP LEADERSHIP! Democracy, Environment, Education and Peace!
Summer Institute Workshops and Courses:
We are offering a wonderful variety of 20 hour workshops, an 8 workshop, a 5 hour workshop as well as an 8 hour course and 5 courses at this year's Institute. There are a lot of offerings to choose from!
For a complete listing of our workshops, courses and dates:
http://tlc.oise.utoronto.ca/Summer_Institute/Workshops_and_Courses.html

Location:  Toronto, ON
Website:  http://tlc.oise.utoronto.ca/index.html
For information contact:  Nishi Saluja & Michelle Mangat, oise.tlc@gmail.com
Phone:  416-978-0785
Categories:   Education; Environment

The Canadian Water Summit is for the first time moving west. The third annual event will be held in Calgary in June 2012 to explore the competing water needs of cities, agriculture and energy.
In October, Alberta Premier Alison Redford added an explicit water focus to the Ministry of the Environment’s portfolio when appointing Minister Diana McQueen, underscoring the importance of the resource. Minister McQueen quickly showed her commitment to her new duties by announcing upcoming public discussions on Alberta’s system for allocating water resources – a system that has been operating for 100 years.
The Third Annual Canadian Water Summit will be held on June 28, 2012 at the Telus Spark Science Centre, 220 St. George's Drive NE, Calgary, Alberta, in cooperation with Calgary Economic Development. The day-long event will share best practices and emerging lessons in Alberta with North Americans who are looking to safeguard resource security for the decades ahead. Confirmed sponsors for the Summit already include Molson Coors, Royal Bank of Canada, and the Telus Spark Science Centre. The event will showcase water challenges and expertise with a focus on innovation in the energy and agricultural sectors. Early bird registration will be available January 16, 2012 at www.watersummit.ca .

Location:  Calgary, AB
Website:  http://www.watersummit.ca/
For information contact:  Kaitlynn Dodge, kaitlylnn@brown-cohen.com
Phone:  4164841132x5
Categories:   Education; Economic Development

The Canadian Water Summit is for the first time moving west. The third annual event will be held in Calgary in June 2012 to explore the competing water needs of cities, agriculture and energy.

The Third Annual Canadian Water Summit will be held on June 28, 2012 in Calgary, Alberta, in cooperation with Calgary Economic Development. The day-long event will share best practices and emerging lessons in Alberta with North Americans who are looking to safeguard resource security for the decades ahead. Confirmed sponsors for the Summit already include Molson Coors, Royal Bank of Canada, and the Telus Spark Science Centre. The event will showcase water challenges and expertise with a focus on innovation in the energy and agricultural sectors. Early bird registration will be available January 16, 2012 at www.watersummit.ca .

The Canadian Water Summit was created in 2009 to facilitate partnerships between leaders from business, government, NGOs and academia to help realize Canada's potential to be a world leader in water expertise and technology innovation. The Summit has been held in Toronto for the past two years.

Venue:  Telus Spark Science Centre
Location:  220 St. George's Drive NE, Calgary, AB
Website:  http://www.watersummit.ca
For information contact:  Kaitlynn Dodge, kaitlynn@brown-cohen.com
Phone:  416-484-1132 ex.5
Categories:   Environment

We had a wonderful 2011 Mariposa Folk Festival, and we couldn’t have done it without a great audience. Thank you for your support!
Mariposa Folk Festival 2012 will take place July 6-8. Tickets go on sale soon!
Congratulations to Bridget White, winner of the 50/50 draw ($3541 prize) at Mariposa Folk Festival.
Congratulations to Donna Hewitt of Orillia and Laura Repo of Toronto, the two winners of a Mariposa 50th Anniversary autographed Larrivée guitar.

Location:  7 Mississaga Street West, L3V 3A5, Orillia, ON
Website:  http://www.mariposafolk.com/
For information contact:  publicist@mariposafolk.com.
Phone:  (705) 326-3655
Categories:   Arts & Culture

The Eco Retreat will be at La “Cite-Ecologique”, the largest Eco-Village in Canada, located in Ham-Nord in the pleasant region of Bois-Francs in Quebec, Canada.

This summer program will empower young adults to learn from each other and share new ideas to build a sustainable lifestyle and pave the road for a better future.

You will participate in activities that bring mindfulness into everyday living, reconnect with your inner self, find balance and awareness through yoga, meditation, and many other fun-filled activities.

To sign up or learn more, visit: www.citeecologique.org

Venue:  La Cite Ecologique
Location:  689 Rang 8, Ham-Nord, Quebec, QC
Website:  http://citeecologique.org/businesses/ecoretreat.php
For information contact:  Ariana Cornellier, ariana@citeecologiquenh.org
Phone:  386-956-9597
Categories:   Environment; Skills & Training

The Harvest Moon Society is holding a full 72-hour accredited Permaculture Design Course in Clearwater, July 8-22, 2012 as a part of the Harvest Moon Society Prairie Culture education program. Jesse Lemieux from Pacific Permaculture will be instructing.

Highlights of the Harvest Moon Permaculture Experience:
-Lean on a permaculture demonstration site.
-Participate in hands-on permaculture implementations.
-Farm tours where participants will see permaculture principles in action.
-Great food, much of which will have been produced on site, supplied by local sustainable farmers and the rest bought sustainable local independent businesses.
-Link into a growing Permaculture community in Manitoba, Canada and around the world.

Venue:  HMS Lerning Centre
Location:  clearwater, MB
Website:  http://www.harvestmoonsociety.org/education/permaculture/
For information contact:  Jenny Anderson, education@harvestmoonsociety.org
Categories:   Environment

Earth Wisdom Permaculture

An internationally recognized, 72-hour training in the ethics, principles, methods, techniques, and practices of Permaculture Design Course
The Earth Wisdom Permaculture course provides you with the skills to meet the challenging cultural, environmental and energy-supply changes that face us. It teaches how to reconnect with the 'Original Instructions' revealed within nature so that we are empowered to create positive, active and practical solutions for personal, community and environment benefit.

This intensive on the land experience gives you a comprehensive introduction to the principles and ethics of Permaculture, design techniques, natural building, rural and urban gardening and community design. It meets international standards as a foundation course for all permaculture practitioners and teachers.

There will be a balance between classroom time, hands-on experimental learning and personal empowerment work. This training will be useful for people with varying levels of experience - from backyard gardeners to design professionals.
Participants become certified as a Permaculture Designer and receive a Permaculture Design Certificate recognized worldwide.

Discover how easy it is to implement sustainable solutions to your Life and Community!

Venue:  The Living Centre
Location:  5871 Bells Road, London, ON
Website:  http://www.thelivingcentre.com
For information contact:  Shantree Kacera, info@thelivingcentre.com
Phone:  519-652-9109
Categories:   Environment

Create a self sufficient lifestyle in harmony with nature

This intensive 13 day course offers practical training in permaculture design principles and techniques to create sustainable environments that provide self-reliance in food, shelter, energy, fulfilling employment and supportive community. This training will be useful for those from beginning, backyard gardeners to design professionals. Field trips and practical sessions for design and gardening are included. Evening seminars and socials complete the day sessions. Topics include: Ecological Landscape Design, Organic Gardening, Edible Landscaping and Forest Gardening, Poultry Care, Appropriate Technology, Ecovillage Design, Ecoforestry, Soil Fertility and Composting, Fruit and Nut Production, Water Harvesting and Uses. Immerse yourself in a sustainable community on a permaculture designed farm at Whole Village Ecovillage.


Contact us before June 8 for a $100 discount on the course tuition!

Venue:  Whole Village Ecovillage
Location:  20725 Shaws Creek Rd, Caledon, ON
Website:  http://www.wholevillage.org/
For information contact:  Brenda, bdolling@wholevillage.org
Categories:   Environment

The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) is a nonprofit organization of more than 3,700 educators, students and practitioners from around the globe. Founded in 1912, by Willard Grosvenor Bleyer, the first president (1912-13) of the American Association of Teachers of Journalism, as it was then known, AEJMC is the oldest and largest alliance of journalism and mass communication educators and administrators at the college level.
AEJMC holds an annual conference in August, featuring sessions on teaching, research and public service in the various components of journalism and mass communication - from advertising and public relations to electronic and online journalism to media management and newspapers. Pre-convention workshops deal with teaching advertising, media ethics issues, incorporating diversity in the curriculum, teaching media management, and teaching visual communication.

Venue:  Chicago Marriott Downtown
Location:  540 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, the US
Website:  http://www.aejmc.org/home/events/annual-convention/
Categories:   Journalism, Writing, Literary, Language

The World Library and Information Congress 2012, 78th IFLA General Conference and Assembly, will take place at the Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre in Helsinki, Finland.

Venue:  Helsinki Exhibition & Convention Centre (HECC)
Location:  Helsinki, Finland
Website:  http://conference.ifla.org/sites/default/files/files/wlic2012/final-announcement.pdf
Categories:   Journalism, Writing, Literary, Language

This conference is organized to share and discuss recent developments in clean energy sector. Many exciting new process technologies have been in recent years developed in the filed of clean energy, and many have been adopted by the industry. ICCE 2012 will provide a forum for the exchange of latest technical information, for the presentation of the new developments in the clean energy area and for the debate and shaping of future directions and priorities in sustainable development and energy security.

Venue:  Laval University
Location:  2325, rue de l'Université, Quebec, QC
Website:  http://iaemm.com/ICCE_Home/
For information contact:  ICCE2012@iaemm.com
Categories:   Environment

The National College Media Convention is the largest gathering of college journalists and advisers in the world. Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Advisers partner to prepare nearly 400 practical and professional learning sessions, from high-profile keynotes to specific, problem-solving breakouts, hands-on workshops and discussion groups. College Broadcasters, Inc., arranges a slate of broadcast-oriented speakers. Other convention activities include an exhibit hall with vendors who sell to student media, ACP’s Best of Show contest, receptions, awards convocations, critiques and a newspaper job fair.

Breakout sessions for newspapers, online outlets, broadcast stations, yearbooks and magazines are planned to meet the publishing and broadcasting needs of all college and university student media. Some are specifically for college dailies, some for journalists at community colleges and private schools. Others are for those looking for the latest information from the FCC affecting their campus radio station or how to use the latest software. Whether it’s ethics and law, technology and design, advertising and business operations, photography and art or just the basics of news writing and reporting, this convention covers all the bases.

Venue:  Sheraton and Towers
Location:  Chicago
Website:  http://www.studentpress.org/acp/conventions.html#acpcma
Categories:   Awards, Scholarships, Prizes; Journalism, Writing, Literary, Language; Publishers & Publishing

Organic Connections Conference and Trade Show moves to the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina. Four Plenary sessions, Eight Breakout sessions and Youth programming opportunities will set the stage for networking at the Trade Show and meal times.

The theme for 2012 is "A Vision for the Future". We are entering a new era in agriculture with changing market conditions, a national regulation firmly entrenched, long time producers thinking about retirement, and new, energetic people wondering where to start. Our conference program is designed specifically to help families prepare and plan for a productive future on the farm. There will be a good mix of practical agronomic and marketing information, some tantalizing new and different strategies and ideas, and a few things thrown in just for fun. If you are a veteran Organic Connections participant then you will remember that we take having fun and celebrating the contributions made by our farm families very seriously!

Time:  7PM to 10PM Thursday, November 1 | 9AM to 11PM Friday, November 2 | 8AM to 5PM Saturday, November 3
Venue:  Conexus Arts Centre
Location:  200 Lakeshore Drive, Regina, SK
Website:  http://www.organicconnections.ca
For information contact:  info@organicconnections.ca
Phone:  306-543-8732
Categories:   Biotechnology; Children & Youth; Farming

The National College Media Convention is the largest gathering of college journalists and advisers in the world. Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Advisers partner to prepare nearly 400 practical and professional learning sessions, from high-profile keynotes to specific, problem-solving breakouts, hands-on workshops and discussion groups. College Broadcasters, Inc., arranges a slate of broadcast-oriented speakers. Other convention activities include an exhibit hall with vendors who sell to student media, ACP’s Best of Show contest, receptions, awards convocations, critiques and a newspaper job fair.

Breakout sessions for newspapers, online outlets, broadcast stations, yearbooks and magazines are planned to meet the publishing and broadcasting needs of all college and university student media. Some are specifically for college dailies, some for journalists at community colleges and private schools. Others are for those looking for the latest information from the FCC affecting their campus radio station or how to use the latest software. Whether it’s ethics and law, technology and design, advertising and business operations, photography and art or just the basics of news writing and reporting, this convention covers all the bases.

Venue:  Marriott
Location:  New Orleans
Categories:   Awards, Scholarships, Prizes; Journalism, Writing, Literary, Language; Publishers & Publishing