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Pat Inman's blog

Sustainable Economies Powered by Regional Food Systems

Posted January 8, 2015 - 18:56 by Pat Inman

Organic local food production can provide an engine for sustainable regional economic development.  A sustainable economy  is based on five key assumptions:

  • Healthy food should be the right for everyone, not the privilege of a few.
  • Environmental health must ground al entrepreneurial initiatives.
  • Educational opportunities provide the means for cultural growth.
  • Increasing meaningful employment within communities supports dignity for individuals and families.
  • Indigenous knowledge is an integral part of the culture and history of a local community.

Addressing Complex Social and Environmental Problems

Posted November 10, 2014 - 19:32 by Pat Inman

Michigan State University is pleased to announce an important upcoming conference - Innovations in Collaborative Modeling: Addressing Complex Social and Environmental Problems through Systems Modeling Techniques.

Creative Economy in Illinois

Posted August 21, 2014 - 14:43 by Pat Inman

The Creative Economy in Illinois has been released by Arts Alliance Illinois.  The report was prepared by Northern Illinois University's Center for Governmental Studies.  This research was done through Governor Pat Quinn's Illinois Creative Economy Initiative.

Engaging Institutions in the Development of Regional Food Systems: Setting the Table for Collaboration

Posted October 28, 2013 - 19:33 by Pat Inman

On Tuesday, October 15, over 75 leaders in the regional food system came together to discuss how institutions could support the development of regional food systems. This day-long gathering hosted by the Center for Governmental Studies (CGS)-Northern Illinois University took place at the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus in Woodstock, Illinois where participants were able to tour the on-campus, student-run farm.

International Resident Scholar at Northern Illinois University

Posted July 15, 2013 - 17:53 by Pat Inman

Northern Illinois University, located outside of Chicago,  has welcomed its second international resident scholar.  Ilpo Laitinen, Director of Administration at the city of Helsinki and Lecturer at the University of Lapland is completing research comparing the structure of learning networks in Helsinki and Chicago.  Laitinen is looking at the inclusion of community stakeholders as regions move forward in sustainable economic initiatives.  Chicago is home to some of the most well-known community organizations including those of Jane Addams, Saul Alinski and John

NIU welcomes Hugo Gutierrez as its Resident Scholar in community engagement

Posted February 28, 2013 - 16:52 by Pat Inman

The Center for Governmental Studies of Northern Illinois University (NIU) has welcomed its resident scholar in a fledgling program that promotes community engagement in sustainable regional development through a cohort of international researchers.  Hugo Gutierrez, serves as head of Social Programs in the Social Development and Citizenship Department at Tecnologico de Monterrey in Mexico.  He is co-founder of Mexico Rural and Mexico Urbano community outreach programs. 

University Engagement and Environmental Sustainability: Grounding Knowledge. An Opportunity for publication.

Posted March 14, 2012 - 19:10 by Pat Inman

Dear Colleagues,

We are in the process of putting together a publication that is part of a PASCAL book series concerned with universities and regional engagement to be published by the University of Manchester Press.  The series as a whole has already been approved by the publisher, and the first three books have been completed by the authors/editors.

White Paper from Association of Land Grant Universities - the Centrality of Engagement in Higher Education

Posted March 6, 2012 - 12:23 by Pat Inman

This White Paper offers a historical and philosophical context that can be used by higher education institutions to have a deeper conversation regarding community engagement and its role in informing the discovery and learning missions. Initially it describes historical adherence to this principle and then define engagement among current higher education communities in the US. Next it discusses the role of the engaged university in a dynamic future society which is dependent upon new and advanced sources of knowledge. 

How Food Shapes Our Cities

Posted October 26, 2011 - 15:48 by Pat Inman

Check out the Ted Talk that discusses the fact that organizing around food is not such a new idea.


http://www.ted.com/talks/carolyn_steel_how_food_shapes_our_cities.html

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Organizing around Food: Setting the Table for Collaboration. Introducing FARE (Food and Agriculture in Regional Engagement)

Posted October 21, 2011 - 15:40 by Pat Inman

Communities organize around many things but the most natural focus for collaboration is food.  Food is not only life sustaining but provides seeds for local economic development.  A community-based food-systems approach has the potential to simultaneously address issues of food security, public health, social justice, and ecological health in local communities and regions, as well as economic vitality of agriculture and rural communities. 

 

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