Another Earth Day, another avalanche of press releases and sales flyers. Sometimes it feels like ‘green’ has become another hokey sales pitch for gadgets you don’t need, doesn’t it? However, Earth Day is more than just an opportunity to get a great deal on a rain barrel at the hardware store. It’s a chance to rethink how our everyday actions have an impact, not just on the planet, but closer to home.
Historically, the decision to purchase local was an easy one. You would never have to make a point to do so, and in fact would have to deliberately seek out an alternative. Unfortunately, in current market conditions it is often cheaper to buy goods produced afar despite the added cost of packaging, transportation, etc.. Despite this, support for locally owned businesses is growing as
When talking about the environment, it’s easy to get caught up on green initiatives. While these are certainly important, now more than ever, we wanted to focus on the urban environment, the city we live in, and ways in which we can develop and improve it.
(more…)
April is traditionally when we start seeing the grass start greening and life starting to poke out of the ground. April also touts national events such as Earth Hour (technically held March 31st but close enough) and Earth Day (April 22). Local events start gearing up and the city starts their Capital City Clean-up Programs.
There is a perception that you have to live in the cold and the dark to be green but in reality environmental issues and solutions aren’t just about being green and don’t have to require a hardcore committment. Caring about our environment can really mean simple and small changes to your day to day behaviour. This means a little something different to each of us and that is okay because the collaborative effort is what makes a difference. The simple changes you could consider could mean taking transit, recycling, installing a compost area or solar panels, shopping at a farmer’s market or a local establishment, planting a garden, participating in clean-up events and much much more.
This month we’ll be bringing your posts that expand on those options. They might expose you to new information that you hadn’t heard about before or inspire you to make a small change to your own routine or encourage you to suggest solutions to others.
We also want you to engage in discussion. Come on nextgener’s we know you have opinions and thoughts on these themes too. We’d love for you to comment, start a discussion, and share these posts with your networks.
Check back weekly as we will be adding new NextGen Speaks Out! posts regularly. We’re looking forward to it and hope you do too!
Disclaimer
NextGen Speaks Out, our guest blogging series, is envisioned as a hub for information and discussion. NextGen is a non-political, non-denominational organization focused on giving all nextgeners a voice. NextGen does not represent the opinions expressed by the individual columnists.
June 18, 2012 – UPDATE:
Edmonton’s NextGen is thrilled to received the award for “Best Overall Float” in the 2012 Pride Parade, presented by the Edmonton Pride Festival Society. A HUGE thanks goes to our more than 40 volunteers who walked, danced, and cheered along the parade route to help NextGen celebrate Edmonton’s diverse LGBT community.
Our float would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors: City of Edmonton, Allstar Show Industries, interVivos, Progress Unlimited, Ampersand Grey, Regency Developments, Bottom Line Productions, Notables, Gateway Press, and Broadway Across Canada.
Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (MT)
Join Edmonton’s NextGen for its second time in the Edmonton Pride Parade on Saturday, June 9, 2012. We’re thrilled to participate in one of the best parties of the summer and celebrate Edmonton as a diverse and welcoming community for the next generation.
First 50 to register receive a limited edition NextGen t-shirt to wear during the event. Register today at http://nextgeninprideparade2012.eventbrite.com/.
Parade Staging will be between 11:00 am and 11:30 am on 108 Street between Jasper Avenue and 102 Avenue. Upon arrival, please find someone in a NextGen t-shirt to check-in and sign a waiver. Please be on time so that we can get lined up.
The Parade route starts on 108 Street and 102 Avenue and travels east on 102 Avenue to 99 Street. The parade will take up both lanes of 102 Avenue.
After the Parade all participants are encouraged to gather with us at Churchill Square to continue the festivities. Celebration on the Square includes the main stage, beer gardens, business and community information booths, merchandise and food vendors, and various forms of entertainment.
For more information on the Edmonton Pride Festival, visit http://edmontonpride.ca.
Here’s a gallery of great pictures of NextGen at Pride in 2011.
The purpose of this year’s survey was to gain feedback from the community on NextGen’s mission and vision. Information collected from the survey responses was used at strategic planning session held on March 30, 2012 to guide discussion around the future work, projects and events of the NextGen Committee.
Review a summary of survey the results..
For a copy of the full survey report, please email nextgen@edmonton.ca.
Edmonton’s NextGen and interVivos present CANDI{DATE}, a speed-dating inspired forum connecting voters with 2012 Provincial Election candidates, April 17, 2012 at The Common (9910 – 109 Street) in downtown Edmonton.
In 10 minute sessions, small groups of voters will sit down for mini-dates with candidates from across the spectrum of federal political parties. This face-time with candidates allows voters the opportunity to ask questions on issues that impact their decision to make Edmonton the city they choose to live, work, learn and play in for future years.
“CANDI{DATE} provides a space for Edmonton’s next generation to cut through the political spin and directly connect with candidates on a personal basis to hear their ideas and perspectives. Voters will have the opportunity to speak to candidates face-to-face and ask questions about the issues that really matter to them. It’s time for Edmontonians to get engaged and see what provincial election candidates propose,” says Yuk-Sing Cheng, Edmonton’s NextGen Volunteer and ENGAGE Co-Chair.
Confirmed CANDI{DATE} attendees include:
CANDI{DATE} is one event in the Edmonton’s NextGen ENGAGE series. ENGAGE gathers Edmontonians interested in sharing ideas about the future of the city we call home.
For more information on the 2012 Alberta provincial election, visit http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/index.htm .
For more information and to RSVP for CANDI{DATE}, visit http://candidate.eventbrite.com/.
Instead of a ticket or event fee, we’re asking attendees to bring, if possible, a small donation of new and unused toiletries to the event, which will be donated to YESS – Edmonton’s Youth Emergency Shelter Society.
CANDI{DATE} is brought to you by Edmonton’s NextGen and interVivos, with special thanks to our venue sponsor, The Common.
MEÆT 2.0: Gourmet Pizza Edition
When: Thursday, April 12 at 6:30 pm
Where: Hawkeye’s Too Restaurant, 10048 102 Street
NextGen’s Engage Working Group is currently accepting applications for the next MEÆT event.
We encourage all artists, thinkers, and organizations at any stage in their careers to apply. MEÆT funding has been known to fund both practical and unusual endeavors – from urban gardens to mobile party vans, public sculpture to performances.
Unlike conventional grant programs, individuals receive funding immediately and therefore MEÆT is designed to provide seed money or the much-needed cash infusion to make some critical thing happen now.
MEÆT is designed to bring us together for a meal and together fund home-grown projects. Make it local, forward-thinking, and sustainable.
For more information, to RSVP to attend, and to download an application form, visit http://meaet.com/proposals/.
Edmonton’s NextGen is proud to partner with Alliance Films on a special presentation of Bully, April 2, 2012. We’re giving away 5 double passes to tonight’s screening on our Facebook page.
Directed by Sundance and Emmy-award winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, The Bully Project is a beautifully cinematic, character-driven documentary. At its heart are those with huge stakes in this issue whose stories each represent a different facet of America’s bullying crisis.
The Bully Project follows five kids and families over the course of a school year.
Stories include two families who have lost children to suicide and a mother awaiting the fate of her 14-year-old daughter who has been incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus. With an intimate glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals’ offices, the film offers insight into the often cruel world of the lives of bullied children.
For more information, visit http://bullymovie.ca/.
As teachers, administrators, kids and parents struggle to find answers, The Bully Project examines the dire consequences of bullying through the testimony of strong and courageous youth. Through the power of their stories, the film aims to be a catalyst for change in the way we deal with bullying as parents, teachers, children and society as a whole.
Watch the trailer: http://youtu.be/ZYFWUKWl8S0 | Stay tuned for additional Edmonton screening dates!
Additional bullying resources:
http://org.kidshelpphone.ca/en/
http://www.bullyfreealberta.ca/
PECHA KUCHA NIGHT 13 | CALL FOR PRESENTER APPLICATIONS
Are you looking for an opportunity to present your ideas to an audience of more than 500 engaged and creative young people? Edmonton’s NextGen is currently accepting presentation submissions for Pecha Kucha Night 13, tentatively scheduled for late May / early June. More than 135 presentations have been given at Edmonton Pecha Kucha Nights to date on wide-reaching topics, from professional online gaming to in vitro meat and everything in between.
Deadline for submissions for Pecha Kucha Night 13 is May 1, 2012.
WHAT IS PECHA KUCHA NIGHT?
Tokyo’s Klein Dytham Architecture first devised Pecha Kucha, the Japanese phrase for “the sound of chitchat” in 2003, as a night for young designers to meet, network, and discuss their projects. The catch: each designer gave a presentation containing only 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds, for a total presentation length of six minutes 40 seconds. These constraints challenged presenters to clarify their ideas and match each thought with the perfect image.
Pecha Kucha Nights are held by a global community of 501 cities. Pecha Kucha has been described as a grown-up “show and tell” with a diverse range of presentation topics, reflecting the unique nature of each presenting city. Edmonton’s NextGen was the first to host Pecha Kucha Night in Western Canada and regularly enjoys sold-out events, ranging from 500 – 650 audience members.
10 STEPS TO A GREAT PRESENTATION
HOW DO I SUBMIT A PRESENTATION APPLICATION
RESOURCES
Frequently asked questions about Pecha Kucha Nights
Pecha Kucha Daily Blog
We look forward to receiving your submission for PKN 13!