Introduction

"Local development", "Regional development" and "Territorial development", concepts regularly used in specialized literature, are subject to diverse interpretations and debate. Here, these concepts are used to define the set of social, cultural and economic processes that promote the economic dynamism and improvement of life quality of the population in a territory (metropolitan area, urban center, region, province, municipality, etc.).

To do so, it is necessary to train its institutions, professional groups, community organizations, businesspersons, government employees, managers, and others, with relevant information and knowledge in order to organize and mobilize it through its material, institutional, political and human resources. This way, the population will be able to define its priorities and to exploit its comparative advantages to reach competitiveness and to participate in globalization.

"Academia Interregional sobre Economía Social y Solidaria" Centro Internacional de Formación de la OIT, Turín Comité Económico y Social Europeo (CESE) Turín, 25 al 29 de octubre 2010

La Academia reunirá expertos a nivel mundial sobre Economía Social y Solidaria buscando difundir y valorizar las lecciones aprendidas en África, América Latina, Asia, Europa y Estados Árabes. Se buscará involucrar los participantes, utilizando metodologías y técnicas innovadoras de enseñanza construidas para las diferentes sesiones temáticas, en áreas relevantes dentro el concepto de Economía Social y Solidaria (ESS).

La Academia OIT en ESS estará estructurada para una amplia tipología de participantes provenientes de los ministerios que tienen a su cargo la Economía Social y Solidaria; organizaciones representativas de los empleadores y de los trabajadores; gobiernos locales y agencias de desarrollo local; líderes, gerentes y promotores de organizaciones de la economía social y solidaria; instituciones de investigación y de la Universidad; organizaciones de Naciones Unidas y de otros partners para el desarrollo.

La Academia en Economía Social y Solidaria será ofrecida en ingles, español y francés. Por favor visite el sitio web siguiente para más detalles: http://socialeconomy.itcilo.org

Institutions of Democratic Governance Network (IDG-Net)

Around the world the link between democratic development and social and economic development is clear. Eager to promote democracy, many countries are establishing new institutions designed to support their move towards more effective and sustainable democracy. These entities can benefit from sharing knowledge, experience and resources. The newly created Institutions of Democratic Governance Network (IDG-Net) will share and promote knowledge, resources and experience, with support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Founding members include the Institute of Governance Studies (Bangladesh), the Centre for Good Governance (India) and the Institute On Governance (Canada).

The mandate of IDG-Net is to support governance institutions as they promote accountable, transparent, fair, participatory and strategic governance, especially in developing countries. The network will help members to promote democratic development by sharing resources and collaborating to enhance the quality, quantity and impact of the learning events which they offer to participants from government and civil society; the relevance and effectiveness of the research which they conduct; the technical assistance which they offer in support of initiatives which promote more democratic governance; the effectiveness of their internal governance and operating systems and structures.

Who can participate? Organizations eligible for membership in the network seek to strengthen democracy. They are generally engaged in research, training, and/or technical assistance. They regularly involve both government and civil society organizations in their activities. Members of the network seek to enhance one or more elements of governance and democratic development, ranging from accountable public institutions, to human rights, rule of law and open and accountable political systems.

Contact Information

For further information on IDG-NET, and how to join or sponsor the network, please contact:

Kathleen Lauder
email: klauder@iog.ca
http://www.idgnet.org

Institute On Governance

The Institute On Governance (IOG) is an independent, Canadian, non-profit think tank founded in 1990 to promote better governance for public benefit. IOG provides an independent source of knowledge and advice on governance issues. Through research and services it helps public organizations and societies realize their objectives by putting good governance into practice. Both in Canada and internationally, IOG explores, shares and promotes good governance principles, standards and practices. The Institute runs professional development programs, and provides advice in a range of areas. It is currently focussed on the following areas: Aboriginal Governance, Accountability & Performance Measurement, Board Governance, Building Policy Capacity, Health Governance, and Values Ethics and Risk. The Institute also conducts research and analysis on governance-related topics that extend beyond its principal themes. Publications and project information related to other knowledge areas are also available for downloading.

International Learning Events

The Institute On Governance is actively engaged overseas, undertaking research and providing advisory services to organizations or governments. The design of its international learning programs is therefore based on international experience as well as on Canadian practice. Learning events currently offered by the IOG include:

• Transforming Public Sector Leadership Program
• Communications Training
• Open Windows
• Governance of Corporate Entities and Implications for Multilateral Donor Institutions
• Programs for Foreign Delegates
• Study Tours
• Study Program for senior foreign officials: How the Canadian Government Works

For more information on International Learning Events contact: info@iog.ca

http://www.iog.ca

Subscribe to the IOG Newsletter

Habitat Exchange

The Habitat Exchange is an initiative of the Centre for Human Settlements (CHS), University of British Columbia. The Habitat Exchange is a venue for the dissemination and discussion of best practices, appropriate technologies, action plans and other tools relevant to the pursuit of ecologically sound and socially equitable urbanization. The Habitat Exchange aims to be a portal for learning and collaboration. It is an online venue for governments, NGOs, academics and civil society across the globe, for the peer review of urban development practices, and for the free exchange of information and ideas. Ideas for future partnerships are welcome.

More information: http://www.chs.ubc.ca/archives/?q=node/2

Community Based Research Canada (CBRC)

Community Based Research Canada (CBRC) is a network of people and organizations engaged in Community-Based Research to meet the needs of people and communities. CBRC came into being through the Community University Expo Conference held in Victoria, BC in May of 2008. At that event a group of Canadian universities, research networks and community organizations launched CBRC with a declaration that stated: This coalition of Canadian universities, research networks, and community organizations at CUexpo2008 in Victoria, British Columbia, is intended to enable and empower citizens across Canada to access, produce, and put into action knowledge that will make their communities more sustainable, fairer, safer, healthier, and prosperous. It will share among individuals, organizations, and communities a diversity of perspectives from civil society, higher education institutions, businesses and governments, promote public accessibility to knowledge, and work in solidarity with others engaged in community based research in all parts of the world.

More information: http://communityresearchcanada.ca/?action=who_are_we

Innovation and Regional Development Network

The Smart Practices Innovation Network pursues the activities of the Réseau québécois sur l'étude et la promotion des systèmes d'innovation (RQSI). The network is first of all a group of persons who have an interest in the innovation process and regional development. Secondly, it is an intelligence gathering tool through which these persons can stay up-to-date on the best innovative practices and economic development in OECD countries. It is finally an extensive database that repertories initiatives, practices, public policies, research programs and documents on innovation and regional economic development.

More than 200 selected publications on Regional Development: http://rqsi.ulaval.ca/ang/index.php

Urbanisation, Culture et Societé (INRS-UCS)

INRS Urbanisation, Culture et Societé is, arguably, the largest university-based social siecnce research centre in the Province of Quebec. UCS-INRS is part of the University of Quebec system and offers Master's and Ph. D. degree-granting programmes. The Centre Urbanisation, Culture et Societé houses a team of thirty-four full-time social scientists (professors/ researchers) working on a wide range of issues. The major research areas are: cities and regions; population; culture, science and technology. Researchers at the Centre use both qualitative and quantitative techniques and make a wide use of social statistics. The Centre encourages comparative research on urban, social and cultural issues, with a focus on Quebec. Projects often have a strong public policy and institutional content.

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Research results are disseminated through various channels, including the Centre's website. Projects are chosen on the basis of scientific worth and social relevance and funded via research grants and contracts.

The Centre Urbanisation, Culture et Societé acts as a forum for researchers in the region working in related fields. Faculty members have developed numerous networks with colleagues and experts around the world. The Centre's researchers work with partners in Canada and other nations on an on-going basis, including with developing nations.

Faculty members teach and supervise students in graduate programmes offered jointly with other university institutions. Training courses for practitioners are also provided as the need arises. Postdoctoral fellowships and research internships aim to prepare young researchers for careers in different environments.

A research support staff of approximately twenty provides essential services covering information technologies, statistical analysis, cartography and G.I.S., as well as library and secretarial services.

The Centre Urbanisation, Culture et Societé has offices in Montreal and in Quebec City. For more information, visit the Website:

http://www.inrs-ucs.uquebec.ca

SAREL

INRS-UCS is home to more than a dozen research groups, of which SAREL (Spatial Analysis and Regional Economics Laboratory) is one of the most important. A diversity of research subjects are covered by the members of SAREL. The unifying theme remains the use of spatialised data and the integration of spatial dimensions in analysis. SAREL research activities are clustered around three main areas.

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Area 1: The Transformation of Metropolitan Spaces

Research in this area aims at a better understanding of the internal spatial dynamics of metropolitan areas and their surroundings. Research undertaken within this area has, for example, covers the following topics:

• Evolution of the employment centers in the principal Canadian metropolitan areas;
• Comparative analysis of the internal urban structures of Canadian and US metropolitan areas;
• Analysis and modeling of residence-work flows (excess commuting);
• Spatial accessibility to employment centers;
• Economic environment and labour markets in Montreal;
• Accessibility to services and facilities in Montreal;
• Identification and analysis of poverty zones in Montreal;
• Evolution of poverty zones in Montreal.

Area 2: Regional Employment Dynamics

Research in this area aims at a better understanding of factors related to regional economic growth and industrial location in North-America (Canada, United States and Mexico). Research undertaken within this area has, for example, covers the following topics:

• Analysis of industry location model in North-America; comparisons between Canada, United States and Mexico. Are processes and patterns the same in the three nations?;
• Comparative analysis of the evolution of industrial structures by regions (Quebec, Canada, United States and Mexico);
• Construction of an explanatory model of regional employment and income growth in Canada;
• The positioning of Montreal on several economic indicators compared to other North-American metropolitan areas;
• The analysis of migratory movements inside Canada, in particular for university graduates; the relationship with growth, employment structure and other socio-economic and geographic variables.

Area 3: Methodological Development

Work in this area aims at developing methodological approaches and tools for spatial analysis, supporting research in the two preceding areas. Other work involves the production of interactive atlases as a tool for disseminating research results. Specifically, work covers the following aspects:

• The structuring of spatial databases;
• Development of statistical methods and tools for the analysis of spatial data;
• Editing of interactive atlases, accessible via the Internet, for the dissemination and the transfer of research results.

For more information, visit the SAREL Website:

http://laser.ucs.inrs.ca/EN/Home.html