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Global Perspectives on Programmatic Solutions to Bridging the Digital Divide
Webinar April 24, 2018 @ 11 am CST
Join ACSRC Research Assistants Madison Pearson and April Heinrich as they share information on this exciting research project.
The provincial and federal governments have made efforts to ensure equitable access to broadband technology and services for all Canadians. From 2011 to 2015, the CRTC's Broadband Expansion Fund allocated funds upwards of $350 million dollars to broadband expansion (CRTC, 2009). In 2005, the Government of Alberta had invested $193 million into the Alberta SuperNet, a large-scale broadband network (Cybera, 2016). More recently, the governmentfunded, non-profit organization Cybera has connected educational institutions and businesses across the province to encourage innovative research and development.
Our project asks: What programs and initiatives exist that effectively support broadband adoption in rural communities? The current literature suggests broadband availability does not necessarily guarantee adoption or measurable benefits (Whitacre, Gallardo, & Strover, 2014). While the literature is diverse, the common assumption is that different models of cost sharing or incentivization will correlate with increased uptake.
This literature review cross references sources based on the determinants of broadband adoption that it addresses and the way in which it addresses them (interventions). This approach is valuable because it systematically sorts the literature in a way that makes specific policy suggestions easily found - simply cross reference the intervention used with the determinant (e.g. literature focusing on public-private partnerships in rural areas is found by cross referencing public-private partnerships and rural areas).
To register please click the link below.
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Education and Training Opportunities
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Grant Writing Workshop *Repeat delivery due to high demand with only 1 space left*
May 16, 2018
Camrose, AB
For small organizations and communities, grant writing can present a real challenge in terms of time, completion,
budgeting, and submission.
Join Dr. Lars Hallstrom, the recipient of over 80 research, knowledge mobilization,
infrastructure and collaborative grants, for this popular
six-hour activity-based workshop.
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Program Evaluation Workshop *NEW*
May 17, 2018
Camrose, AB
Program evaluation can help to inform decisions about programs and services, and funding agencies often require an evaluation component as part of the granting process.
Join us for this interactive workshop for people who have little experience with program evaluation.
For more information please click the link:
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Strategic Leadership - only 2 spaces left, registration closes April 23, 2018!
April 26, 2018
Camrose, AB
Developed and delivered by Doug Griffiths best-selling author of
13 Ways to Kill Your Community
, 'Strategic Leadership' e
xamines the different types of political leadership and how to employ them effectively.
Evaluate and discuss the role of democracy in municipal politics and challenges it can present in complex decision making.
For more info and to register see the link below.
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Getting Ready for Cannabis
May 2, 2018 (sold out)
Two sessions added due to high demand
May 24, 2018 and
June 6, 2018
Camrose, AB
Join Carol Zukiwski, Partner with Reynolds Mirth Richards & Farmer LLP, and Dave McGarva, Managing Principal of Tantus Solutions Group Inc, for this 6-hour seminar to lead participants through a discussion of the common areas of municipal operations that may be impacted with the introduction of legal cannabis.
For more info and to register see the link below.
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Social Sustainability
June 7, 2018
Camrose, AB
Concepts like social networking, social capital, and social asset mapping are crucial components of sustainability in rural communities. Explore how to use innovation and collaborative approaches to enhance social sustainability in your community.
For more info and to register see the link below.
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Books and Other Resources
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Survey Results: Resident Attraction and Retention in New Denver, BC
A recent survey of the New Denver area, in the Kootenays Region of British Columbia, shows that the vast majority of residents are satisfied with their quality of life, plan to stay, would recommend the area to others, and see a bright future for the community. Overall, things are good.
The
Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute partnered with the
Village of New Denver to conduct a study to explore well-being and community development in the region. This project included a survey of residents in New Denver and area, aiming to gain an understanding of resident satisfaction, factors influencing quality of life, perceptions of community well-being, and interest and ideas for future services and infrastructure.
Most residents support modest population growth, and suggest that more resources be spent on economic development initiatives. Increasing employment opportunities and sprucing up the downtown are important, however a focus on tourism does not appear to be generally supported. Concerns relate to housing availability and affordability, with a potential increase in vacation properties. There is a fear of losing the small town rural character and sense of community that has attracted and retained many of the current residents.
A full copy of the Resident Attraction & Retention in New Denver & Area report can be
.
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Municipal Guide to Cannabis Legalization
Developed by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) in collaboration with RMA and other organizations.
With cannabis legalization fast approaching, municipalities have their work cut out for them. To help municipalities do what they do best-protect and strengthen communities-FCM has launched the
Municipal Guide to Cannabis Legalization. This guide was created in partnership with RMA, other provincial-territorial associations, legal advisory groups, and policy experts.
The Municipal Guide to Cannabis Legalization offers an extensive exploration of issues that municipal governments will need to consider, including case studies, policy options, and sample bylaw language. The fast approaching cannabis legalization presents a challenge for municipalities across Canada and because of that, FCM developed this guide. The guide covers key issues consistent across jurisdictions, as well as regional variations, identified by the advisory group of experts. It is a thorough document that will support work on key areas of municipal involvement, including land use management, business regulation, public consumption, workplace safety, and enforcement issues.
To read the guide please click the link below.
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2018 Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation Conference
October 9012, 2018 Saskatoon, SK
Call for Contributions
The 2018 Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation Conference - Health and Shared Prosperity brings together practitioners, policy makers, community leaders, and researchers interested in rural issues. This conference is a unique opportunity to share ideas and successes, learn from other, and hear the latest on issues that matter to communities and people who call rural Canada home.
The conference organizing committee is accepting proposals for oral presentations, panels, capacity building sessions, and posters for the upcoming conference in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan from
October 10-12, 2018. We are looking for submissions related to:
- Accessing Health
- Feeding Success
- Prosperous Labour Forces
- Sharing Prosperity
- Eco-Health
The deadline for oral presentations, panel presentations, and capacity building sessions is
May 16, 2018, 11:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time. The deadline for poster presentations is
September 14, 2018 at 11:59 PMPacific Daylight Time.
For conference details, submission for proposals, click the link below.
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Come Together Alberta Conference
May 15-17, 2018 Edmonton, AB
AUMA's Welcoming and Inclusive Communities initiative is pleased to announce it will be hosting the Come Together Alberta Conference May 15-17, 2018, in Edmonton.
The conference theme, Creating Hope and Taking Action, will include sessions that will provide municipal leaders, community leaders and related stakeholders with inspiration and knowledge to take action to create more welcoming and inclusive communities, where residents, employees and visitors are not at risk of racism, discrimination or social exclusion. Click
here to see the full agenda. If you would like to advertise the event in your workplace,
please use this poster.
Who should attend?
- Municipal elected officials
- Municipal administrative leaders and coordinators
- Community organizations
- Cultural organizations
- Libraries
- Housing organizations
- Educational institutions
- Human resource practitioners
- Anyone with an interest in overcoming social exclusion in local communities
Questions? Email wic@auma.ca
To register for the conference click the link below:
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For upcoming events, conferences and workshops visit the events calendar on the ACSRC website. This calendar holds events offered by the ACSRC and other organizations with a common goal of sustainable rural communities.
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Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities
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