BC CEDNet grew out of several years' collaboration between CED practitioners in B.C. through the B.C. Working Group on CED. After CCEDNet's National Policy Forum in Vancouver in March 2001, CCEDNet members and the BCCEDNet steering committee agreed to move towards affiliating BC CEDNetwork with CCEDNet. At that time, an agenda was set to guide a process of organizational development, public education, and dialogue with CED practitioners in B.C. and with CCEDNet. For our steering committee and current membership, click here.

For the Counting Communities In regional forum schedule click here.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the BC CEDNetwork is to connect CED organizations in B.C., support CED best practices, and broaden the support for CED across the province. BC CEDNet is a member-driven and accountable organization that has been formed to:

• Raise public awareness of the impact of community initiated economic action in B.C.

• Increase awareness of the crucial role of government (municipal, provincial and federal) as partners in creating a policy environment supportive of CED in B.C.

• Increase capacity of CED practitioners in B.C. to engage in local and provincial debate on issues crucial to the success of local community economic development initiatives.

• Increase capacity of CED groups and practitioners to work for economic benefit on a regional and provincial basis.

• Strengthen regional networks

• Be a strong part of a national voice for CED.

ACTION
BC CEDNet's first major initiative is organization of a series of forums on CED policy development across the province this Fall, Counting Communities In! Economic Solutions for BC.

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COUNTING COMMUNITIES IN! ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS FOR BC B.C.'s towns and neighbourhoods have a vital role to play in strengthening our provincial economy. This Fall, BC CEDNet and a large number of partner organizations will organize a series of forums at which B.C. citizens can discuss that role and the public policies required to support it.

The dialogue will focus on these key questions:

• What are the major insights and concerns of those involved in CED in different regions of B.C.?

• How well does the national policy agenda of the Canadian CED Network express these concerns and insights?

• What needs to be done and by whom to strengthen CED capacity in B.C.?

• What might we do regionally and provincially to demonstrate the vital role that communities and co-operatives have to play in economic solutions for B.C.?