MEDA News
Source: "Revolutionizing agriculture in Ethiopia: Dal to lead $18 million development project" by Robyn McCallum on the Dalhousie University website
In Ethiopia, agriculture isn't just a way of life: in many respects, it's the cornerstone of life itself.
Approximately 80-85 per cent of the country's population is employed in agriculture. The country has the largest livestock population in all of Africa, and agriculture contributes more than 40 per cent of the country's total GDP. But the country is both heavily populated and economically poor. There's widespread food insecurity, limited social support for and acceptance of women, and 30 per cent of the country's 85 million people live on less than $1.25 US a day.
Source: "Bible Hill agricultural campus joins Ethiopian project" by Aaron Beswick Truro Bureau in the Herald News
Bible Hill is teaming up with Ethiopia.
Well, it's actually a bit more complicated than that.
Dalhousie University's agricultural campus in Bible Hill will be administering an $18-million program funded by Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada to improve agricultural education in Ethiopia.
The program, called Agricultural Transformation Through Stronger Vocational Education, touts itself as one of the first steps in moving Ethiopia's farming community from a subsistence one to a market economy.
Source: "COLUMN: Addressing poverty through nutrition" by Lois Brown in the Aurora Banner (yorkregion.com)
We all know of the pivotal role nutrition plays in improving the health of the most vulnerable in developing countries.
Nutrition is at the centre of Canada's top development priority — improving the health of mothers, newborns and children — and will be a key focus of Canada's commitment to this cause from 2015 to 2020.
McGill's Faculty of Education and the Institute of Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies have joined the lead partner, Dalhousie University, to embark on a 6-year, $18 million project to help Ethiopia enhance their colleges' Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education Training (ATVET) programs. Key to McGill's involvement in the project will be to foster and support gender equality, diversity and inclusiveness.
Source: "A Reflection Upon Winning Canada's 2014 Social Finance Awards" by Jason Dudek, Chairman & Chief Financial Officer, Mountain Lion Agriculture on SocialFinance.ca
What does winning Canada's 2014 Social Finance Awards alongside MEDA mean to Mountain Lion Agriculture? We feel deeply honoured by this recognition of our work – the field of nominees was excellent, a testament to the strength of Canada's growing impact investment and business sector. The award greatly bolstered the morale of our staff but is also a deeper recognition of the rising, demonstrable efficacy of impact investment and business in tackling the toughest problems with resilient, sustainable solutions.
Source: "Chris Steingart builds websites and life" by Dave Rogalsky in the Canadian Mennonite (In print)
Late last year, Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) presented its inaugural 20 under 35: Young Professionals Changing the World Awards, honouring these young adults from Canada and the U.S. for their "faith, entrepreneurial spirit and service" Ethan Eshbach, coordinator of engagement initiatives for MEDA, explains, "20 under 35 connects the values behind MEDA's work around the world to those of young professionals here in North America. From entrepreneurs to business professionals to community advocates to church leaders, we have a very impressive mix" Over the next few issues, Canadian Mennonite will be featuring profiles of all six of the Canadian winners, fivefrom Ontario and one from British Columbia.
Source: "This Firm Keeps Capital Flowing to Micro-Entrepreneurs" by Jessica Pothering on the Entrepreneur
The global financial crisis didn't dent the demand for loans from small businesses and micro-entrepreneurs around the world. But it sure whacked the supply of capital available to lend to them.
Source: "Canada-Israel Relationship Extends to Development in Ukraine" on the Israel Diplomatic Network Embassy of Israel in Canada
Last month in Kiev, on February 25th, Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support a Canadian funded agriculture project in Ukraine. The signing was witnessed by Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, Mr. Oleksiy Pavlenko. Working together, the governments of Canada and Israel will assist farmers and small and medium entrepreneurs in the framework of the "Ukraine Horticulture Business Development Project (UHBDP)."
Source: "Every Day People In Concert On Sunny Slope Farm" on the Sunny Slope Farm website
On Sunny Slope Farm, a renowned event venue located in the Shenandoah Valley, will host a fundraiser for MEDA—Mennonite Economic Development Associates. The event, which will be open to the public and take place on Friday April 17th from 5 – 10 p.m., will feature music, beer and wine tastings, door prizes and food trucks. Proceeds from the festival will support women farmers and entrepreneurs in Ghana through MEDA's "Bike to GROW" volunteer initiative.
Source: "Biking across Canada to empower Ghanian women (VIDEO)" in Christian Week (Photo Soumei Baba (Flickr CC))
Former MEDA interns helping women get out of poverty
Sarah French and Mary Fehr were hugely impacted during their time in Nicaragua and Tanzania working with MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) and their efforts helping women live healthier lives. Now they want to make an impact themselves. Together they embark on a four-month bike ride across Canada to raise $150, 000 for MEDA's Greater Rural Opportunities for Women (GROW) project in Ghana.
Source: "Southwestern Ontario's peopleCare receives prestigious award" from peopleCare
For second year company is recognized as one of Delloitte's 50 best managed
KITCHENER, ON, April 10, 2015 /CNW/ - For the second consecutive year, Kitchener's peopleCare has been recognized as one of Delloitte's prestigious Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. This award recognizes outstanding business performance and innovative management practices.
Source: "House of Chiefs pledge to assist women access land for agriculture" in myjoyonline.com
The President of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs has called on government to support smallholder farmers to increase their productivity and income by improving the provision of agricultural extension services, irrigation services and subsidized fertilizer under the Fertilizer Subsidy Programme.
Source: "A giant has passed" by Wally Kroeker in the Canadian Mennonite, originally appearing in The Marketplace.
Roy G. Snyder, 99
Oct. 23. 1915 – Feb. 11, 2015
Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) lost one of its most enduring and faithful supporters on Feb. 11 with the passing of Roy G. Snyder of Waterloo, Ont. He was 99.