GREETINGS FROM THE NEW ECONOMY!
The
Thomas Merton Center’s New Economy Working Group will convene a
Celebration of Pittsburgh’s New Economy. Learn what other people and organizations are doing to transform Pittsburgh’s economy into one where the rewards and benefits are equitably shared among business employees or employee-owners, stakeholders, and host communities; one that creates strong, nurturing social ties; and which replenishes the natural environment. There's a lot to celebrate!
There are three events slated for the Celebration of Pittsburgh’s New Economy:
Thursday March 20 – The
NEWG sponsors
Green Drinks, a monthly sustainability networking event.
5-9 p.m. at the Map Room, 1126 S. Braddock Avenue Pittsburgh 15218.
Friday March 21 – Seminar on New Economy Solutions with Gar Alperovitz
2-4:30 p.m. in the Frick Fine Arts Building on the University of Pittsburgh campus.
Evening Discussion with Gar Alperovitz
5-8 p.m. the Adamson Wing of CMU's Baker Hall.
Saturday March 22 – New Economy Market, Gar Alperovitz on New Economy Solutions, local initiative highlights and workshops, New Economy Catalyst Awards.
8:30-4 p.m. the Adamson Wing of CMU's Baker Hall.
For more information and to register for each of these events, click here.
Gar Alperovitz will first speak on the systemic, political, ethical, and cultural problems that prevent the majority of Americans from benefiting from unprecedented economic productivity and profits among the economy’s largest corporations. Then he will speak on solutions that are emerging from various efforts to make the economy more democratic and to increase economic benefits more broadly in society.
The NEWG is soliciting ideas that demonstrate new economy principles in action - that is, show innovative resource use, repurposing, or "upcycling"; carry out a business idea that creates shared value among the owners and community; or tell the story of an important new economy solution - and will make small awards - to support several ideas' execution as "New Economy Catalysts". Anyone working to bring about or benefit from a shared value, environmentally sustainable, or just economy. The new economy is happening now; find out where you fit in!
Molly Rush, a co-founder of the Thomas Merton Center, observes, “I, like millions of others, have come to believe our current global corporate and financial system of control is unsustainable. We must keep working to resolve these issues everywhere: in the streets, in the courts and the statehouses. But we also need to be creating an alternative system, one that is locally based, owned and run by the people, environmentally sound, and just. That new economy is, in fact, emerging; we are just too involved in the fray of everyday life to step back and see what it looks like and how we all fit in.”
What is “The New Economy?” Definitions differ, but it is the economy of the future: one where economic success means fair and equitable benefits; one that uses of social, financial, and environmental resources efficiently; and where business activity replenishes our environment.
New economy projects, businesses, and community benefits will be featured, from around Pittsburgh and elsewhere. We are excited to be soliciting and awarding “New Economy Catalyst Awards”, small grants to projects that practically demonstrate new economy principles of being beneficial to their participants/creators, the community, and the Earth.
Why participants in Pittsburgh’s new economy will want to attend: Spend this time not only learning about the problems we face in an extractive economy but about solutions, meeting other people who are helping to create the economy that works for the 99%, together, build new and stronger ties, and to further cultivate what is already working. Help set in motion an economy that creates shared value – for businesses, employees, owners or employee-owners, and host communities alike.
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