Kim Bater is the Chair of the Canadian Rockies School District and an innovator and leader in innovative public education governance in Alberta. The Inspiring Hearts and Minds project of this Board is a breath of fresh air. It is ahead of its time and will prove to be a model for other school boards to consider and adapt as they move towards a more modern, effective accountable and transparent governance structures.
Kim is running for re-election and has posted a helpful blog on why we need school board trustees. I recommend you read it.
New generative governance is an concept envisioned by the Inspiring Action on Education process instigated and developed by Dave Hancock Alberta's Minister of Education. This re-visioning process for public education in Alberta also sees more public engagement and awareness of the role of citizens in setting the goals and means to achieve them in an even more vibrant, inclusive, effective and responsible public education system in Alberta.
Alberta is recognized as the second best public education system in the world, just behind Finland. Alberta and Finland are working together at the teacher levels and increasingly at political and administrative levels. Kim Bater is part of this collaborative effort with Finland and the OECD and has taken the Inspiring Hearts and Minds to Europe to show what is being done in his district at the school board level.
COME TO REBOOT ALBERTA 3.0 "TAKING ACTION FOR A PROGRESSIVE POLITICAL CULTURE IN ALBERTA" If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Local Elections Are On in Alberta - How Will You Vote?
Local election nominations are now closed and the municipal and school board elections will happen on Monday October 18 all over Alberta. I smell democracy in the air. I can't say yet if we have more candidates running this time than usual and fewer acclamations - but I sure hope so.
I want to congratulate and thank all those Albertans who have taken the time to run for local municipal and school board office all over the province. Our democracy only works if we have citizens who are prepared to contribute their time and talents to serve the greater good - for the benefit of the rest of us.
There is a lot of legitimate disillusion with politics in Alberta and elsewhere these days. Giving up on politics has the net result of diminishing democracy and that is too dangerous to consider. Our government and governors are only as good as the quality of commitment of citizens who stand for office and the engagement of citizens how get informed on the issues and actively engaged in figuring which candidates best align with their values.
While the current elections are local I strongly believe the values Albertans have are consistent with those they look for in provincial and federal elections. We have the research that shows the values lens that Albertans want their politicians to use when making policy and political decisions that impacts individuals lives. I recommend Albertans view the characters and content of the candidates campaigns using the same primary values we found from the Reboot Alberta random sampling of Albertans.
Best of luck to all the candidates and as for citizens...best you get back into the political culture of your community, province and country. To abdicate this duty means you will be governed by the decisions and even the whims of others. In a democracy you always get the government you deserve - especially if you failed, refused or neglected to vote.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta come to Reboot Alberta 3.0 November 5-6 in Edmonton at the Delta South hotel. Register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
I want to congratulate and thank all those Albertans who have taken the time to run for local municipal and school board office all over the province. Our democracy only works if we have citizens who are prepared to contribute their time and talents to serve the greater good - for the benefit of the rest of us.
There is a lot of legitimate disillusion with politics in Alberta and elsewhere these days. Giving up on politics has the net result of diminishing democracy and that is too dangerous to consider. Our government and governors are only as good as the quality of commitment of citizens who stand for office and the engagement of citizens how get informed on the issues and actively engaged in figuring which candidates best align with their values.
While the current elections are local I strongly believe the values Albertans have are consistent with those they look for in provincial and federal elections. We have the research that shows the values lens that Albertans want their politicians to use when making policy and political decisions that impacts individuals lives. I recommend Albertans view the characters and content of the candidates campaigns using the same primary values we found from the Reboot Alberta random sampling of Albertans.
- Accountability
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Fiscal Responsibility
- Personal Responsibility
- Transparency
Best of luck to all the candidates and as for citizens...best you get back into the political culture of your community, province and country. To abdicate this duty means you will be governed by the decisions and even the whims of others. In a democracy you always get the government you deserve - especially if you failed, refused or neglected to vote.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta come to Reboot Alberta 3.0 November 5-6 in Edmonton at the Delta South hotel. Register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
How is the Alberta Economy Working for You?
Took a moment to look back at the Canada West Foundation and Western Centre for Economic Research that was done March 2010 of economic thought leader all over western Canada. The summer slowdown of the usual informed activist engagement in such matters is only part of the reason. We have had a lot happening to divert our attention from the economy like the British Petroleum Gulf of Mexico well blow-out, the abolishment of the vital Long Form Census, the Gun Registry political wedge ranting and the mass arrests of demonstrators at the very expensive G20...oh yes...and the Queen's visit. There was some $2Billion of taxpayers money borrowed and blown on bogus security and fake lakes. That made us all feel good and safe as a reckless abuse of political power and responsible fiscal management.
Back in March almost 70% of the 124 Alberta based thought leaders believed our economy would be Much Better (9.7%) or Somewhat Better (59.7%) over the next six months. Well the six months are over and the next thought-leader survey will be out in October. and I wonder where the new collected wisdom on the prospects for the Alberta economy in the pending six months will be now.
BTW the Albertan thought leaders were the most pessimistic about the economic prospects for Canada but still 60.2% thought it would be Somewhat Better and nobody thought it would be Much Better. The federal stimulus money was manipulated to support Conservative candidates and took a long time to get out but I believe overall it has helped avoid a depression and lessen the impacts of a severe recession.
Equally interesting was the thought-leaders overwhelming support for a national securities regulator. All of the west saw 69.1% in favour and even in Alberta 68.3% favoured this proposal. The official stance of the Alberta government is opposed to a national securities regulator.
An overwhelming 98.7% believed that Canada must pursue new export markets outside the US and 63.6% believed finding news markets should be the highest priority for western Canada. In terms of the American centred debates over dirty oil from the oil sands that cannot happen soon enough.
There is an ongoing concern of a double dip recession in the US that will impact many of Alberta's markets if it happens. The other alternative is a long slow growth of the US economy but nobody knows what is rally going to happen. Confidence in the future is a strong predictor of the economic outcomes, good or bad. We know from some of our research are Cambridge Strategies that there is not a lot of confidence in our federal MPs to take care of Alberta's interests in Ottawa these days and that makes the mood going forward even more unpredictable.
Looking forward to the next version of this western Canada Economic Expectations survey next month. IN the mean time why not take the poll on this blog and lets see how readers of this blog predictions align with the experts.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Back in March almost 70% of the 124 Alberta based thought leaders believed our economy would be Much Better (9.7%) or Somewhat Better (59.7%) over the next six months. Well the six months are over and the next thought-leader survey will be out in October. and I wonder where the new collected wisdom on the prospects for the Alberta economy in the pending six months will be now.
BTW the Albertan thought leaders were the most pessimistic about the economic prospects for Canada but still 60.2% thought it would be Somewhat Better and nobody thought it would be Much Better. The federal stimulus money was manipulated to support Conservative candidates and took a long time to get out but I believe overall it has helped avoid a depression and lessen the impacts of a severe recession.
Equally interesting was the thought-leaders overwhelming support for a national securities regulator. All of the west saw 69.1% in favour and even in Alberta 68.3% favoured this proposal. The official stance of the Alberta government is opposed to a national securities regulator.
An overwhelming 98.7% believed that Canada must pursue new export markets outside the US and 63.6% believed finding news markets should be the highest priority for western Canada. In terms of the American centred debates over dirty oil from the oil sands that cannot happen soon enough.
There is an ongoing concern of a double dip recession in the US that will impact many of Alberta's markets if it happens. The other alternative is a long slow growth of the US economy but nobody knows what is rally going to happen. Confidence in the future is a strong predictor of the economic outcomes, good or bad. We know from some of our research are Cambridge Strategies that there is not a lot of confidence in our federal MPs to take care of Alberta's interests in Ottawa these days and that makes the mood going forward even more unpredictable.
Looking forward to the next version of this western Canada Economic Expectations survey next month. IN the mean time why not take the poll on this blog and lets see how readers of this blog predictions align with the experts.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Hunter Lovins in Calgary September 21st and 22nd.
Sick of seeing Alberta portrayed as the bad guy in the news? Meet with others who want to find real, effective solutions and create a truly sustainable Alberta with Newsweek Magazine’s Green Business Icon Hunter Lovins September 21st and 22nd in Calgary.
The group Citizens Advocating the Use of Sustainable Energy (CAUSE) along with Cambridge Strategies Inc. a range of other sponsors is presenting lectures with Hunter Lovins of Natural Capital Solutions. Hunter is a true leader in combining sustainability with business - among her many other areas of expertise –
During her visit to Calgary, Hunter will make two presentations focusing on sustainable energy solutions for Alberta:
- Tues. September 21st, 4:00 pm, ConocoPhillips Theatre (ENMAX CEO Gary Holden to act as MC. Coffee reception to follow).
- Wed. September 22nd, 7:00 pm, University of Calgary MacHall Ballroom.
Get details and your tickets now through http://www.cambridgestrategies.com/rsvp/form.php to discuss current electricity challenges, the business case for climate protection and how Alberta can be a leader in energy solutions rather than always playing catch up to our critics.
Natural Capitalism Solutions is recognized internationally for its work in the field of sustainability and is led by Lovins, who has over 40 years experience in business, sustainability, change management, globalization, climate change, economic development and energy and resource policy,
Natural Capitalism develops innovative and practical ways to increase efficiency and environmental practices, as well as economic sustainability, for a long list of government and corporate clients and shows how to restore and further enhance natural and human capital while increasing prosperity and quality of life.
Natural Capitalism develops innovative and practical ways to increase efficiency and environmental practices, as well as economic sustainability, for a long list of government and corporate clients and shows how to restore and further enhance natural and human capital while increasing prosperity and quality of life.
Hunter developed the Economic Renewal Project and helped write many of its manuals on sustainable community economic development. She is currently a founding Professor of Business at Presidio Graduate School, one of the first accredited programs offering an MBA in Sustainable Management.
Hunter has consulted for governments and the private sector, briefing senior management at such organizations as Walmart, the International Finance Corporation, Interface, Inc., Bank of America, Calvert Social Investment Fund, Royal Dutch/Shell Group and numerous utility companies and the U.S. Defense Civil Preparedness Agency of the Pentagon, Environmental Protection Agency, numerous states and cities, and the governments of Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Jamaica, Germany, and New Zealand.
Hunter has also co‐authored nine books and dozens of papers and has received several honorary doctorates. Her best‐known book, Natural Capitalism, released in September 1999, was the subject of a Harvard Business Review summary. She is currently working on Climate Capitalism, to be released by Farrar, Strauss, Giroux, in spring 2011.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
Monday, September 13, 2010
Suncor About to Reclaim Pond 1
Suncor Energy is about to reclaim Tailings Pond #1 at the end of September 2010. There has been a lot of work done and even more to go but this video is the kind of information Albertans as owners of the oil sands need to see to appreciate and understand what is involved, what is being done and how reclamation works.
This is an actual reclamation of a tailings pond and I think the first in the history of the oil sands...but I could be wrong. I will find out and let you know later. Recent Cambridge Strategies research on the values of Albertans on what should guide and drive the development of the oil sands noted reclamation type, habitat and ecological monitoring were the top choices for about 60% of us. This video addresses all but the ecological monitoring but I am sure that is not being ignored in the reclamation efforts.
In the meantime as we start to consider the reclamation and habitat protection and replacement around oil sands more seriously, give this video by Suncor on their initial efforts a view.
Full disclosure I am a Suncor shareholder and have done work for them in the past but not presently.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
This is an actual reclamation of a tailings pond and I think the first in the history of the oil sands...but I could be wrong. I will find out and let you know later. Recent Cambridge Strategies research on the values of Albertans on what should guide and drive the development of the oil sands noted reclamation type, habitat and ecological monitoring were the top choices for about 60% of us. This video addresses all but the ecological monitoring but I am sure that is not being ignored in the reclamation efforts.
In the meantime as we start to consider the reclamation and habitat protection and replacement around oil sands more seriously, give this video by Suncor on their initial efforts a view.
Full disclosure I am a Suncor shareholder and have done work for them in the past but not presently.
If you want a progressive political culture in the Next Alberta register now for RebootAlberta 3.0 at www.rebootalberta.org
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