Why some people care, and why some people don't
I have a great deal to write about lately. So much so, that at times, my fingers cannot go fast enough for me to keep up and my mind is spinning in all directions. Imagine my delight, when, on a recent trip to Saskatoon, my book companion was none other than that old sage herself, Shirley Maclaine. Her latest book, Sage-ing While Age-ing, turned out to be just what I needed to calm my mind.

A summer spent cycling for (micro)credit: Three UBC Students head to Mexico to raise awareness and funds for a local microcredit fund
Think you’re having an interesting summer? Last Saturday, three UBC students got on their bikes and began a seven week cycling journey that will take them from Vancouver to Tijuana, Mexico, all to raise funds and awareness for microcredit.

Unleash the potential of the world's poor farmers
As world leaders grapple with the burgeoning food crisis, we would do well to heed the starkly contrasting stories of two goatherds. First, Alimatou Mahama, whom I met in a small village in northern Ghana. Alimatou had been granted access to microcredit, training and veterinary services through an aid project to improve the productivity of her herd. Her income increased and she was able to provide more food for her family.

Microfinance has macro impact
It's early afternoon in the hazy Mozambican capital of Maputo and the Opportunity International bank should be "aberto" for business. But it's locked tight. The closure goes against the spirit of this Canadian-funded microfinance bank, which provides credit, insurance and services to the poor in a country where 36 per cent of residents live on less than $1 a day. But it's necessary today.

The Co-operators reports its 2007 profits are up
The Co-operators Group Ltd. announced a net income of Cdn$154.8 million in 2007, up from Cdn$133.4 million the previous year. "The strong financial performance allowed the organization to make an unprecedented contribution of more than [Cdn]$1 million to The Co-operators Foundation, through which it reinvests in Canadian communities," the company announced in a press release.

Homeless farm plan sparks $6-million race
Residents want to buy Woodwynn land in Central Saanich to halt proposed therapeutic institution
A controversial proposal to house homeless people on Woodwynn Farm in Central Saanich has ignited a race to raise $6 million to buy the historic property.

Engaging youth to buy, eat locally
A forum aimed at engaging youth in developing sustainable food projects will take place on May 21 at the downtown Market Square. From 4 to 6 p.m., Foodshed Project will host the Youth Forum on Sustainability and is encouraging people to attend to voice their ideas and solutions on food system issues and how to get youth involved.

Regina's Core of the future: Action plan looks at ways to enhance Regina's inner city
The proposed future of Regina's Core neighbourhood is mapped out in a recently released document. The Core Neighbourhood Sustainability Action Plan is a 93-page document that breaks down the positive and negative aspects of the community and presents strategies for remedying problems and building on strengths.

Awards celebrate excellence in credit union system
Credit Union Central of Canada presented its annual National Credit Union Awards for outstanding achievement during a ceremony Wednesday night that concluded its annual conference. Because of the quality of this year's entries, the judges selected two winners for the 2008 Community Economic Development Award - Coast Capital Savings of Surrey, B.C. and Vancity Credit Union of Vancouver.

Aboriginal Women face challenges in the Canadian Economy
Women's work as producers and caregivers of life is not often recognized in our money-based economy. But certain groups of women have an especially difficult time fitting into a market model of economics in which the exchange of money is the only recognized economic activity. Aboriginal women face economic discrimination on the basis of gender as well as race and culture.