Talking about children…

17 04 2014

ngugi_wa_thiongo“Talking about the survival of children is not an act of charity. Children are the future of any society. If you want to know the future of any society look at the eyes of the children. If you want to maim the future of any society, you simply maim the children. Thus the struggle for the survival of our children is the struggle for the survival of our future. The quantity and quality of that survival is the measurement of the development of our society.”

Kenyan novelist Ngugi wa Thiong’o





Thanks to all who volunteer!

7 04 2014

Volunteer Week Logo





Happiness…can change the world

18 03 2014

March 20 marks the United Nations International Day of Happiness. The Kingdom of Bhutan, known for adopting Gross National Happiness as a measurement of its people’s prosperity, started the initiative for a day devoted to happiness. All 193 UN member states then adopted the resolution creating a day to inspire action for a happier world. On the first celebration of the Day, in 2013, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “let us reinforce our commitment to inclusive and sustainable human development and renew our pledge to help others. When we contribute to the common good, we ourselves are enriched. Compassion promotes happiness and will help build the future we want.”

This year, March 20 will also mark the long-awaited first day of Spring (spring equinox) –  something to be very happy about after a long and snowy winter!

For more, visit http://www.dayofhappiness.net or www.facebook.com/Intl.DayofHappiness





Marking International Women’s Day

8 03 2014

A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult. – Melinda Gates





GoldieBlox – engineering for little girls

14 02 2014

Debbie Sterling, an engineer from Stanford, found few women in her university class and decided young girls needed more encouragement to experiment with engineering and innovative design concepts. Her research led to the revelation that 87% of the world’s engineers are males, and to the development of a combination storybook and toy building set designed specifically for little girls – Goldie Blox. Her original crowdfunding launch successfully reached its $150,000 target in less than 5 days (watch the launch video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-AtZfNU3zw) and GoldieBlox is now a series. The first building set, incorporating a belt drive, is available online and at select Target and ToysRUs stores along with #2  (wheel and axle) and #3 (hinge) in the series. goldieblox

For more about GoldieBlox, check out the web site: www.goldieblox.com

Thanks, Debbie, for recognizing the need to cheer on young inventors, and for tapping into young female minds with something more than pink packaging.





Neighbourhood and Maternal-Infant Health in Hamilton

3 02 2014

Mother-ChildA few months ago, the team of researchers conducting the Neighbourhood Study of Maternal and Infant Health in Hamilton hosted an invitational meeting to present their findings and to gather input from community members interested in this work. Their research focus looked at whether or not neighbourhood variations could be found in selected maternal-child health indicators. Does it matter if a new mother has lived in particular neighbourhood for a long time? Does neighbourhood play a role in pre-term birth?

The meeting was intended to get people talking about the research findings (including maps showing health indicators, like obstetrical complications, by census tract) and to hear from those who work in these neighbourhoods as well as those whose primary interest is maternal or infant health. It was seen as a starting point for sharing what the researchers learned, and seeing what the community might do to further their work or implement their findings.

 

The meeting was facilitated by Karen Smith. The link to the summary report is here: Neighbourhood Study of Maternal and Infant Health in Hamilton INVITATIONAL MEETING SUMMARY REPORT





Calling all dreamers…

18 01 2014

IdealistAmi Dar and the team at idealist.org are about to start something, and practical dreamers everywhere will want to hear about it. On March 11, 2014 they will launch “a new network – online, on the ground, in cities, villages, schools and workplaces” to join together people all over the world who want to work together on 3 global challenges. But the challenges aren’t hunger, or poverty, or disease, or world peace (or then again, maybe it is about that…). The challenges Ami and team have in their sights are big challenges, but they may surprise you. As he puts it, “These challenges are quiet—you’ll seldom hear about them in the media—but they affect all of us. And if we can tackle them, all our other problems will be easier to deal with”.

  1. A big gap between our good intentions and our actions.
  2. Our problems are connected, but we are not.
  3. The world is full of good ideas that don’t spread quickly enough.

The goal is to bring together a network of people to tackle these challenges – “an ecosystem of possibility”. To find out more about the project, the March 11 launch, and how to join in, here’s the link: http://www.idealist.org/March11

 





Reflections

11 01 2014

Looking back on a year that had many highlights…moments that stood out from among my photos:

The quiet beauty of my garden

Entering my third year with the Council, one of development and bold planning

Entering my third year with the Council, one of development and bold planning

Polivery IV

Speaking at Polivery IV, Ontario government policy innovation and leadership conference

A memorable fishing trip with my father

The pretty side of the ice storm

The pretty side of the ice storm

A faithful friend

A faithful friend

Learning and sharing at the Polivery IV conference

Learning and sharing at Polivery IV conference

An inspiring visit by Hildy Gottlieb and the team from Creating the Future

An inspiring visit by Hildy Gottlieb and the team from Creating the Future

Another successful CAPPY Ride in support of the Community Child Abuse Council

Another successful CAPPY Ride in support of the Community Child Abuse Council





Warm holiday wishes

21 12 2013

WinterMittens

 

…to you and yours, the very best of the holiday season and a heartfelt wish for health and happiness in the new year ahead…

Happy-Holidays





The Power of Empathy

16 12 2013

Power of Empathy RSA ShortLove this collaboration that brings together the wise and powerful words of Brene Brown with the simple yet poignant animation of Katy Davis…

http://brenebrown.com/2013/12/10/rsabear/