Local Living Economy Conference

Posted by on February 28, 2004

Bringing together the leading thinkers (and doers!) of the Local Living Economy movement

Independent businesses and banks, family farms, community newspapers, artists and craftsmen, and healthy ecosystems that once flourished in many communities are now disappearing. However, local business owners and engaged citizens have the power to regain local control of our economy and revitalize the unique character of our communities. Join business and community leaders from across the country who are working together to increase prosperity and equity in our society, strengthen local communities, and preserve our natural environment.

The Thursday night kick-off is a bountiful buffet dinner & dancing under the stars at the famed White Dog Cafe. The conference will be held Friday and Saturday at the University of Pennsylvania. On Sunday we offer a workshop for leaders of local business alliances.

Registration includes *seven* amazing meals prepared by local chefs with food from regional family farms. Register by March 20th for discount rates! http://www.livingeconomies.org

TOPICS INCLUDE:
* Best practices of local business networks
* Local Living Economy business models
* Bringing capital back to our communities
* Public policy changes for a positive future
* Education for sustainability
* Equity & diversity in sustainable businesses
* Organizing Local First campaigns
* Connecting local economies globally

*FEATURED SPEAKERS:
* Marcellus Andrews, Economist at Baruch College/CUNY School of Public Affairs
* Tim Bowser, Director, FoodRoutes
* Wendy Brawer, President & Founder, Green Map System
* Edgar Cahn, Founder & President, Time Dollar Institute
* Kevin Danaher, Global Exchange & Green Festivals
* Jerome Goldstein, President of JG Press and Publisher of In Business Magazine
* David Korten, Author of When Corporations Rule the World & Chair of Positive Future Network
* Thomas Linzey, The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund
* Miriam MacGillis, Director of Genesis Farm & Center for Earth Literacy
* Stacy Mitchell, Institute for Local Self-Reliance & Author of The Home Town Advantage
* Helena Norberg-Hodge, Executive Director, International Society for Ecology and Culture
* Jeremy Nowak, President and CEO of The Reinvestment Fund
* Will Raap, Founder, Gardeners’ Supply Company and the Intervale Foundation
* Mark Ritchie, Executive Director, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
* Michael Shuman, Author of Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in a Global Age
* Jim Slama, President of Sustain & Founder, Sustainable Chicago
* Woody Tasch, Chairman and CEO, Investors Circle (invited)
* Judy Wicks, Owner, White Dog Cafe & Co-chair, BALLE
* Susan Witt, Executive Director of the E.F. Schumacher Society

“Going local does not mean walling off from the outside world, it means nurturing locally owned businesses that use local resources sustainably, employ local workers at decent wages, and serve primarily local consumers. It means becoming more self sufficient and less dependent on imports. Control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back to the community where it belongs”
– Michael Shuman, Author of Going Local

To register, go to: http://www.livingeconomies.org

BALLE is a national organization that creates, strengthens and connects business networks dedicated to building strong local living economies. It currently serves 20 networks in the US and Canada including the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, sponsor of this conference.

Questions and comments can be sent to: merrian@sbnphiladelphia.org

Register by March 20th for early bird rates!
http://www.livingeconomies.org

Creating Local Living Economies
*2nd Annual Conference of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
Thursday May 20th to Sunday May 23rd in Philadelphia, PA