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Welcome to the May edition of Community and Economic Matters. This last month has seen a major initiative in citizen engagement in Australia with the convening of the Australian 2020 Summit by the Prime Minister. 1000 Australians were invited to Canberra for the weekend 19-20 April, and dialogued around 10 major themes. This event was preceded by School Summits (over 500 participated), a Youth Summit (100 participants and Local Summits. The initial Report of the 2020 Summit outlining the key discussion results can be downloaded from the Summit’s website – www.australia2020.gov.au

As an organisation, the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. joins other organisations and social capitalists in applauding this government initiative. Conversation is the most powerful tool available for building social engagement, and such events as the Summit need to be become part of the necessary process of reinventing the relationship between government and their citizens. While the Prime Minister has announced his intention to continue his national conversation through the Australia 2020 Website, we hope all levels of government will embrace innovation to encourage greater citizen engagement and contribution.

If you prefer, you can click on the links below to go direct to that topic. 
Quote Top ^

“Business is about relationships. Money is simply a tool. Business is about relationships with everyone we buy and sell to, and work with, and about our relationship with Earth itself”

(Judy Wicks, Co-Founder of Business alliance for Local Living Economies)
Vicki Buck – one of the world’s inspiring contemporary social and economic entrepreneurs Top ^
The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has always admired greatly, and learnt much from the social and economic innovation and entrepreneurialism of Vicki Buck from Christchurch, New Zealand. Her civic leadership of the City of Christchurch through most of the 1990’s was legendary, and her subsequent initiatives in education and business continue to inspire us. It is great seeing the acknowledgement she recently received in New Zealand.

Click here to download an article that appeared to the February 08 edition of New Zealand's 'Tourism News'.
Return of Jim Diers Top ^
Many Australian community and economic practitioners have benefited immensely from presentations by Jim Diers. The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will again coordinate a visit to Australia by Jim in September.

Click here to download Jim's bio data. If you would like to utilise Jim during his visit, email Peter Kenyon at pk@bankofideas.com.au and click here to download a summary of the themes that Jim could present/workshop on.
Inaugural ABCD Oceania Conference 2008 Top ^
The inaugural International Conference of ABCD (Asset Based Community Development) Oceanic will be held in Newcastle, NSW from 3-5 December 2008. This will be an amazing event.

Click here to download the initial flyer about this event.
Centre for Social Impact Top ^
This new Australian institution has been created through a partnership between a number of Universities. It seeks to support the contribution of the Third Sector to the Australian economy and society through teaching, research and public advocacy. Social entrepreneurialism is a major area of focus.

Click here for more details and read a brief article.
Village Well Top ^
One organisation that has been a continuous source of inspiration to the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has been the Melbourne based group Village Well. Lead by the dynamic and creative Gilbert Rochecoute, Village Well are international leaders in the field of community place making – they are passionate about creating places that offer a vibrant community life, flourishing local economy and a healthy natural environment. Their multi talented team offer a range of innovative services to local communities and businesses. For more information, click here to check out their website.
Local Living Economies and Visit of Judy Wicks Top ^
An initiative of Village Well is the coordination of a visit to Melbourne, Victoria by Judy Wicks, CEO of the White Dog Café in Philadelphia and Co–Founder and Director of the US-wide Business Alliance Network for Local Living Economies (BALLE) and the sustainable Business Network of greater Philadelphia. Judy was named by Inc. magazine as one of America’s 25 most fascinating entrepreneurs “because she’s put in place more progressive business practices per square foot than any other entrepreneur”.

Judy will be delivering a free public lecture on 21 May in Melbourne around themes relevant to how local businesses are meeting the challenges of globalisation, climate change and peak oil to create sustainable communities that sustain life, economic viability and the natural environment, and are deeply rooted in their natural and cultural place. On Thursday 22 May, Judy and a group of Australian business leaders in “Going Local” will deliver a workshop. Click here to download more details

John Stanley and his Story about a $15,0000 Bag of Tomatoes Top ^
John Stanley and his consultancy company- ‘John Stanley and Associates’ is one of the great assets of our home community Kalamunda. John is most sought after presenter in the retail/customer service fields. Last year he presented at events in 22 countries. Click here to read his wonderful story how a bag of tomatoes literally cost $15,000!!!! -great message about customer service. This story appeared in the new magazine of the Kalamunda Chamber of Commerce. Also attached to the tomatoes story are details on the services of John Stanley and Associates. Strongly recommended for any community and/or business wanting inspiration to lift retail and customer service standards.

For more information, click here to visit John's website.

Connecting Up 2008 Conference – 19 – 20 May, 2008 Top ^

Entitled ‘Online and Off to the Future for Nonprofits!’ this Conference seeks to bring together people, to share initiatives about how community and non-profit sectors are using technology to change their worlds.

For more information, click here to go to their website.
Pigs Will Fly Top ^
This is a free fortnightly email bulletin by Gail Plowman. It is truly a ‘can-do community blog’ – well worth subscribing to and full of useful links and references on a diverse range of themes e.g. ‘Caring for Cultural Heritage’, ‘Collaboration’, ‘People, Planet and Profit’, ‘Technology’ etc

For more details email Gail at editor@pigswillfly.com.au.

ruMAD? Top ^
Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is a strong supporter of Education Foundation's ruMAD? and has had past involvement with Benalla young people through its Youth at the Centre program and thought we would share the following extract from the Foundation's most recent quarterly review which is a wonderful illustration of youth creativity in this program.

The Benalla VCAL Cooperative Group hosted their YB-MAD (Youth of Benalla Making A Difference) Celebration on the 15th March as part of the Benalla Festival. The YB-MAD crew focused on youth depression and wanted to show the young people of their community that positive things do happen and that there are plenty of fun activities to engage in. They hosted free African dance, drumming and salsa workshops along with a Brazilian and Cuban dance show – a huge success and real credit to the students.

Click here to check out pictures and more information.
Dr Judy Esmond - Volunteering Top ^
Judy is a leading international authority on volunteering. For those working with volunteers, her free monthly email note is strongly recommended. Click here to check her website and for subscription arrangements.

Incidentally, Judy has a wonderful publication - "Beyond Just Words- 502 Inspirational Quotes for those who Serve" . We loved the quote from this publication in her last email note - "You grew up the day you have your first real laugh at yourself"

Pangea Day - May 10, 2008 Top ^
Pangea Day taps the power of film to strengthen tolerance and compassion while uniting millions of people to build a better future.

In a world where people are often divided by borders, difference, and conflict, it's easy to lose sight of what we all have in common. Pangea Day seeks to overcome that — to help people see themselves in others — through the power of film.

On May 10, 2008 — Pangea Day — sites in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro will be linked live to produce a program of powerful films, visionary speakers, and uplifting music. The program will be broadcast live to the world through the Internet, television, digital cinemas, and mobile phones.

Of course, movies alone can't change the world. But the people who watch them can. So following May 10, 2008, Pangea Day organizers will facilitate community-building activities around the world by connecting inspired viewers with numerous organizations that are already doing groundbreaking work.

Many thanks for our good friend Mal Bryce for bringing this great initiative to our attention so we can share it with subscribers. Click here for more information.
World Youth Day Top ^
It is now less than a 100 days before the biggest youth gathering in Australia’s history when over 500,000 young people gather in Sydney for the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day. The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has sought to help with the fund raising of a number of groups in Australia supporting the participation of local young people. The Kutjugka Catholic Church based in Balo, West Kimberley is one such group. This remote community is supporting 21 of their young people to participate. The cost of participation from this part of Australia to Sydney is very expensive. Think about sponsorship.

Contact Father Eugene on 08 91686969 or kutjungk@bigpond.com if you can help.

Click here to download details on a magnificent piece of religious Indigenous dot art that the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is undertaking a silent auction to raise funds. Painted by Balgo artist Nancy Gill, it is a stunning piece.

If you would like to bid, send details to Peter Kenyon – pk@bankofideas.com.au. All bidders will be kept in touch on the bidding process. Final binning date will be 15 May, 2008
2008 Communities in Control Conference Top ^

This annual event coordinated by Our Community always attracts in excess of 1500 people. This year the Conference will feature Tim Flannery (2007 Australian of the Year), Kate Gilmore (Executive Deputy Secretary – General of Amnesty International in the UK) and Brett Solomon (CEO of National Indigenous TV Australia). Dates 15 – 17 June, costs only $165.00, location is Melbourne.

For more details click here to visit the Conference website.
Death of Bill Angel Top ^
The death of Bill Angel on the 10th April, 2008 is a time of great sadness for many of us who have benefited from his wisdom, example and friendship.

Bill Angel for many years headed the youth unit at the United Nations (both in Vienna and New York), where he ensured a continuous focus on the importance of youth development.

Upon retiring from the UN, Bill created ICNYP – International Council on National Youth Policy as an international NGO promoting the importance and understanding of national youth policy formulation, implementation and evaluation.

His tireless voluntary efforts created interest and support across the globe for the importance of integrated national agendas, policies and strengths around the contributions and issues of young men and women.

His death occurs 10 years after he provided the vision and leadership for the First Meeting of Youth Ministers in Lisbon (1996) which provided a clear mandate and directions regarding the centrality of national youth policies in national and international development.

His publication ‘The International Law of youth Rights – Source Documents and Commentary’ is still the classic text in the field.

The Board of ICNYP is committed to remembering and honouring the legacy left by Bill Angel. Discussions are underway, regarding the creation of an annual William Angel Award for Best Practice in National Youth Policy Formulation and Action’.

In addition, discussions are being held with the Austrian Youth Ministry regarding an International Conference on National Youth Policy in April 2009 that will honour the memory and contribution of Bill Angel.

Our condolences go to his wife Mona.

Some Classic Prediction Quotes Top ^
“I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won’t last out the year”.
(Editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957)

“I think there is a world market for maybe 5 computers”.
(Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM, 1943)

“640k ought to be enough for anybody”.
(Bill Gates, 1981)

“There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home”.
(Ken Olsen, founder of Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977)

“But what …is it good for?”.
(IBM Engineer in 1968 commenting on the microchip)

Moyne, Victoria Top ^
Entering the Shire of Moyne in south west Victoria, one encounters wonderful town entrance statements, full of colour and local symbols. They were designed five years ago by a group of senior students recruited from local schools. Young people are an incredible asset which local communities cannot ignore.
Dowerin, Western Australia Top ^
Left is the picture of the entry statement to the town of Dowerin (Western Australia), developed by young people as part of the ruMad? Program and C.R.E.A.T.E. Initiative. Click here to download a copy of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. ‘Principles to Enable Youth Participation’.
Copyleft Policy Top ^
Below is the copyleft statement from the C.R.E.A.T.E (Creating Rural Enterprising Attitudes Through Education) Program of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S.

Copyleft Policy

This resource file, either in full or in part, must be copied, quoted, reprinted, given away, borrowed and circulated. Parts may be torn out, extracted, summarised, misquoted and taken out of context. In short, all the contents are public property. Please use in any way to enhance the knowledge and skills of rural young men and women to believe in, and contribute to positive rural futures.
Top ^

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Bank of I.D.E.A.S.

(Initiatives for the Development of Enterprising Actions & Strategies)

 14 Bird Rd, Kalamunda WA 6076

  Ph: 08 6293 1848 Fax: 08 6293 1137 E: pp@bankofideas.com.au