Dream No Little Dreams conference a success!
 
Held in Calgary at Parkdale United Church on November 24, 2011
Co-sponsored by YWCA Calgary and Action to End Poverty in Alberta
 
101 people from many regions of Alberta, including representatives from municipal and provincial government, Alberta Health Services, University of Calgary, business, not for profit organizations, and people with lived experience of poverty took part in the one-day conference.
 
All commented on the excellent, passionate and inspiring speakers and liked the opportunity to learn and meet with others interested in developing a strategy to end poverty in Alberta.
 
To read the complete conference summary with presentation highlights click here.
 

The costs of poverty in Alberta.

There is no doubt that poverty costs societies – it has well-documented social costs and therefore stands to reason that there are accompanying economic costs. The Vibrant Communities Calgary project team of researchers and communication specialists and the multi-stakeholder advisory committee are confident the report will provide the best estimation of quantifiable costs by replicating the research method used in 5 previous provincial poverty reports.

The costs of poverty calculated in our report are: costs incurred by the health system, the justice system, opportunity costs and intergenerational costs. Look for the launch of the report, video and other accompanying actions in February. We value your interest and feedback on alternative policies to create a poverty free future in Alberta.

  Around Alberta: Updates

 
December 16: Sharlyn White and I met with new Human Services Ministry DM Steve MacDonald and ADM’s Karen Ferguson and Shannon Marchant re: AEPA update and social policy framework timetable.
 
January 17: Medicine Hat hosting another roundtable discussion. Liz Weaver will be joining the conversation. AEPA is invited to: 1) bring people up to date on the provincial front and 2) assist in facilitating small group/table discussions.
 
January 20: Calgary kicks off work on its Municipal Poverty Reduction Strategy  Liz Weaver is assisting in the initial meeting. The City and United Way Calgary are co-sponsoring the initiative.
 
February 2&3: Lethbridge hosting a Discover Diversity Conference. AEPA is invited to make a presentation.
 
Yours truly, Joe Ceci MSW, RSW Coordinator, Action to End Poverty in Alberta