Successful Business Conference for Local, Living Economies
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BALLE, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, is a cutting edge alliance of business networks. The organization held its 3rd annual international conference in Vancouver, Canada with the converges of business leaders and notable speakers.
BALLE is a growing alliance of independently operated local business
networks dedicated to building Local Living Economies. The principles of local
living economies emphasize the connection of business to the community,
the environment, and responsibility toward stakeholders.
ifPeople is proud to have sponsored this year's conference and have
participation in the event marketplace and discussion groups. The BALLE
conference has a spirit of collaboration and fun not common in
conferences. Food was sourced locally, including an organic farm within
walking distance of the event. Local artists and entertainers emphasize
the message of the BALLE BC network:
"living economies...it's a better party."
The conference also brought together thought-leaders for serious
treatment of economic, business, and development issues. David Corten, author of When
Corporations Rule the World and Globalizing Civil Society, spoke
about the trends increasingly recognized in the media and business that will
fundamentally change the economy: "peak oil" and the unsustainability of the
oil-drived economy, climate change, and the decline of the US dollar in the
international economy. Michael Shuman, author of Going Local and
Local First, combined a rich economic analysis and the insight from
recent studies about
the economic impact of local vs non-local business on communities, to
show how both policy should focus on local business for greatest local
benefit and also provided a set of easy actions to support your local
economy.
Judy Wicks, of the White Dog Cafe and
co-founder of the BALLE network, told her stories of creating a restaurant
with a humane menu, provides living wages, and is a local activist for
democracy. Texas author and radio commentator Jim Hightower related experiences as
former Agriculture Commissioner and working in the South to promote local
farmers and economies.
For more on the speakers, see the Speakers list.
About BALLE: With 20 networks currently in the US and Canada, BALLE is promoting an innovative approach to economic development that emphasizes local buying, responsible business, and sustainable building and food systems.
