The Sustainable Resource
September 2006
Executive Director's Message
Dear Partner in Sustainability,
Welcome to the fall edition of the Sustainable Resource, SERC's guide to what's happening at the intersection of business and environmentalism in the Greater Toronto Area and around the world. I am particularly pleased with this issue which will inform you with strong pieces written about the recent AIDS conference in Toronto, CSR in Brazil and a compelling review of Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. All this plus updates on SERC activities as well as those of our tenants.
I would also like to thank two people: first, Evelyn Chan, as outgoing editor of the Sustainable Resource. We will all miss Evelyn's incredible work ethic and piercing insights into geopolitical issues of the day. Plus, no one could brew a cup of fair trade organic Mexican coffee like her! Best of luck, Ev, as you move on to focus on Peace and Conflict.
Second, Humera Javed, as our summer intern turned into Sustainable Resource editor and SERC insider. Humera brought such energy, enthusiasm and competence to SERC that we couldn't bear to let her completely disappear back to Laurier. As a result, we are pleased to announce that Humera will not only resume editorial duties of our newsletter but will continue with some of the programming work she began this past summer. Please do not hesitate to contact her at humera@sustainabilityincubator.com
Once again, I invite you to enjoy the articles below and send us your feedback for books and films to review, events to cover and sustainability initiatives to highlight.
Cheers,
Anthony M. Watanabe, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Sustainable Enterprise Resource Centre
Letters from the Editors
It has been a pleasure working at the Sustainable Enterprise Resource Centre (SERC) as the Editor of the newsletter. Being a part of SERC's emergence and expansion has been a great experience. Because of SERC, I have learned about many new initiatives and organizations and I have connected with individuals and entrepreneurs that are making sustainability and profitability possible.
While I will be returning to my academic studies at the University of Toronto, there are exciting programs and workshops in development at SERC and I am happy to have had the opportunity to be part of this experience. I am confident that as the new Editor, Humera will continue to make the newsletter an informative and useful resource for SERC members.
I look forward to connecting with SERC members and associates again in the future.
Evelyn Chan
A note from the new editor...
Evelyn has done a wonderful job in setting the stage for The Sustainable Resource, and I am very excited about my role in providing our readers with information on the latest sustainability initiatives at SERC, in our community, and thanks to our foreign correspondents, even in the world.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself: I am a student at Wilfrid Laurier University, studying Business Administration and Global Studies. Two years ago, while listening to a panel discussion, I experienced a light-bulb moment when I realized that my two seemingly parallel interests in entrepreneurship and social change could in fact be combined!
So, here I am at the Sustainable Enterprise Resource Centre, working directly with practitioners of sustainability, learning more and more about sustainable and social entrepreneurship each day. Working with SERC is like what they say, "Never a dull moment!"
Looking forward to many great issues of The Sustainable Resource,
Humera Javed
SERC News and Events
SERC Workshop: "Social Entrepreneurship - what is it and why is it relevant to you"
On the evening of Tuesday, May 23rd, while the majority of Toronto was heading home after a long day at work, members of the SERC team were busy preparing for their workshop, Social Entrepreneurship/Social Enterprise - what is it and why is it relevant to you? This interactive session was spearheaded by John Baker (Aperio Inc) and Andy Horsnell (Rolfe Larson Associates), both of whom have extensive experience in consulting for not-for-profits and social enterprises. During the workshop, participants were introduced to various aspects of social entrepreneurship including the different business models and structures used in the field.
Party time at SERC!
June 15 was no ordinary day for SERC! The lower level of 18 Eastern Avenue was bustling with guests as the auspicious day marked the first year of the centre's exciting journey. The event attracted over 30 agents of social change, from sustainable entrepreneurs to sustainable consultants.
What's new at the SERC library?
Barbara W. Tuchman once said, "Books are the carriers of civilization. They are engines of change, windows of the world... Books are humanity in print." With such a vision, the SERC library brings its members the best resources, hoping to share keen insight on critical issues and the needed inspiration to move the world forward. We encourage you to use our library- maybe read a report on socially responsible investment, or pick a book on climate change to fill up a lazy afternoon!
Circles of Transformation: Finding Our Way in the "Great Work"
SERC Associate Member Marilyn Daniels, Principal of VisionLegacy Coaching, and the Transformative Learning Centre OISE/UT are proud to announce the publication release of:
By the Transformative Learning Centre Spirit Matters Collective
Co-authored by Marilyn Daniels, Anne Goodman, Edmund O'Sullivan and Heather Reid
Tenant News
Sustainable Condo Tour stops at the Toronto Regional Green Building Festival
Presented by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and EcoSmart, the Sustainable CondoT will tour the Greater Toronto Area and will exhibit at this year's Toronto Regional Green Building Festival. The Sustainable Condo, a full-size display suite, demonstrates how human comfort and environmental responsibility can be achieved by combining smart, innovative design with state-of-the-art green building technologies, materials and products.
Updates from Libra
A summary of updates from SERC tenant Libra Knowledge and Information Services.
The Scene in Sustainability
Green Enterprise Toronto Special Event
David Korten, the author of best-selling books When Corporations Rule the World and the most recent The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community is coming to our town!
SERC's Foreign Correspondent: Tackling Pollution and Climate Change in Sao Paulo
By the year 2030, 75% of Latin America's population is expected to be living in cities, which are increasingly contributing to not only local air pollution, but are adversely affecting the health of the population and that of the region's environment and economy.
Review: An Inconvenient Truth
If you are the average North American chronic movie-goer, expecting the gods at Cineplex to entertain you as usual with their run-of-the-mill 90-minute heart-lightening escapism, then the Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth will definitely seem like a grand bore and a waste of your $11.34. But, if you are the curious George looking for the nitty-gritty on global warming, then this documentary is for you!
Gone Rural: Social Entrepreneurship in Action!
On August 16, 2006, the Canadian and African Business Women's Alliance of Canada hosted a session, "Supporting Business Development and International Trade Opportunities for Women and Youth Living with HIV/AIDS" at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre .The session showcased at the AIDS 2006 Global Village explored how women living with HIV in Africa are building successful enterprises to alleviate poverty and create sustainable livelihoods for their families. More specifically, the presentation focused on Gone Rural, a social enterprise in Swaziland that produces beautiful handcrafted decor and houseware items made from local sustainable grass called 'lutindzi'.
