SuScit Mailing December 2008
CONTENTS:
1-SuScit Project Update:
a- SuScit Project Team Meets Islington Council to Discuss Potential Future Projects.
2-Research:
a- NESTA and the UK energy Research Centre:'Carbon Crucible' Research Programme.
b- Joseph Rowntree Foundation:New Communities Network at Derwenthorpe: Capturing the Lessons of Sustainable Development.
c- Capacity Global Research:Third Sector Declaration on Climate Change Review.
3-Publication:
a- Community Development Foundation Book - Faith Groups and Government.
b- Involve:Say and Play - A Report and Toolkit for Improving Local Government Consultation.
c- DEMOS Report:The Skills Paradox - Confronting Inequality in Adult Learning.
d- Institute for Policy Research Report:After the Coal Rush – Assessing Policy Options for Coal-fired Electricity Generation
4-Events:
a- Resurgence Seminar - Gentle Action, Science, Society and Consciousness.
b- Transport for London and London Civic Forum - Keeping London Moving.
c- Inside Government - Tackling Environmental Crime: Towards Cleaner, Safer and Greener Neighbourhoods.
d- The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action and Urban Forum : Recipes for Community Representation - What Ingredients do You Need?
e- Green Economics Institute 4th Annual Conference.
f- NESTA:BETT Technology Education.
5-Policy:
a- Department for Communities and Local Government Consultation - Code of recommended practice on local authority publicity.
b-Department for Energy and Climate Change - Consultation on Carbon Units, the Net UK Carbon Account and Carbon Accounting.
6-News:
a- The Engineering and Physical Science Research Council - Science and Innovation Award Announced.
b- DEFRA - Leading Supermarkets Pledge 50% Cut in the Offer of Carrier Bags.
c- Department for Communities and Local Authorities:New proposals to make the 2016 zero carbon homes target a reality.
d- Environment Agency:New guidance for Landfill Operators on Low-level and Very Low-level Radioactive Waste.
7-Funding:
a- Natcen - Investing in Fundraising Pays dividends for UK Universities.
b- Financial Times and Forum for the Future Climate Change Competition.
8-Training and Jobs:
a- EPSRC Workshop - Boost your Career in Science and Engineering.
b- Participation Works Training - Building a Culture of Participation.
c- Capacity Global and FIELD Residential course - Understanding Environment, Poverty & Globalisation.
1-SuScit Project Update:
a- SuScit Project Team Meets Islington Council to Discuss Future Projects:
The SuScit project team, Trevor Mbatha from Mildmay Community Partnership and the Islington Council met on the 17th December to discuss ideas on how to address the issues raised by the residents participants in the SuScit project and move towards potential new initiatives in partnership with Islington communities.
The project team envisages to organise new meetings in 2009 in order to possibly support the development of new projects.
2-Research:
a- NESTA and the UK energy Research Centre:'Carbon Crucible' Research Programme:
Thirty researchers from across the world of science, technology and social science,will get together for a series of workshops that will develop innovative interdisciplinary solutions to our low-carbon energy challenge.
The ‘Carbon Crucible' programme is a unique and cutting-edge initiative that aims to inspire innovative thinking in sustainable energy research.
Find out more:
http://www.nesta.org.uk/top-minds-come-together-to-find-solutions-to-carbon-challenges/
b- Joseph Rowntree Foundation:New Communities Network at Derwenthorpe:Capturing the lessons of Sustainable Development:
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is developing a 540 home community on the edge of York. The development is intended to be significant for York, and the wider movement for enlightened housing and community creation, and will try systematically to create knowledge about issues such as land use planning, sustainability, urban design, affordable and mixed-use tenure and community involvement.
For more, click:
http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/wip/record.asp?ID=802483
c-Capacity Global Research:Third Sector Declaration on Climate Change Review:
Capacity Global is currently gathering evidence on the Declaration's impact so far including any opportunities and barriers to developing it further. The Declaration, which was sponsored by Every Action Counts (EAC) with Capacity as its lead author, essentially aims to facilitate proactive action on environmental protection and climate change through commitments by Third Sector organisations. A report with the review will be available in 2009.
Find out more:
http://www.capacity.org.uk/communityprojects/eacdeclaration.html
3-Publication:
a- Community Development Foundation Book - Faith Groups and Government:
Faith-based Organisations and Government at Local and Regional Levels by Rita Fentener with Penelope Daly, Robert Foster and Malcolm James.
This book analyses the experiences, challenges and successes of faith based organisations in building relationships with local and regional government.
To find out more and order the book, please click:
http://www.cdf.org.uk/pooled/articles/BF_DOCART/view.asp?Q=BF_DOCART_303999
b- Involve:Say and Play - A Report and Toolkit for Improving Local Government Consultation:
The Say&Play@Schools project suggested a new approach to local government consultation that involves involves combining a community fun day with appropriate consultation methods. It is designed to attract busy parents and carers,children and young people who normally would not attend formal consultation events.
Find out more:
http://www.involve.org.uk/publications
c- DEMOS Report:The Skills Paradox – Confronting Inequality in Adult Learning:
This report examines Britain's skills gap and argues that a damaging paradox - those with the least skills are the least likely to train - is a social as well as an economic issue.
In 2008, Britain faces a vicious circle. High skills are worth more in labour markets than ever before. But millions still lack basic skills, and the people most likely to take part in formal learning are those who are already well qualified.
http://www.demos.co.uk/publications/theskillsparadox
d-Institute for Policy Research Report:After the Coal Rush – Assessing Policy Options for Coal-fired Electricity Generation:
In this report, Matthew Lockwood provides a comprehensive examination of the issues at stake in the case of the new coal-fired power station in Kingsnorth, which provoked a major new debate on coal, energy policy and climate policy in the UK. To decide what should be done about Kingsnorth and other proposed new plants, the report argues that it is essential to understand the wider context of energy markets and energy policy, both within the UK and at European level.
http://www.ippr.org.uk/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=617
4-Events:
a- Resurgence Seminar - Gentle Action, Science, Society and Consciousness:
Resurgence magazine and Schumacher College presents a day exploring ways of building resilient communities.
Date: 10/01/2009 11am 5pm
Location:Maria Assumpta Centre, 23 Kensington Square, London W8 5HN
To book a place contact: Peter Lang, Resurgence Events Director peterlang@resurgence.org (020 8809 2391)
For further information:
http://www.resurgence.org/trust/resurgence-events.html
b- Transport for London and London Civic Forum - Keeping London Moving:
Keeping London Moving” is a joint event between London Civic Forum and Transport for London (TfL) designed to provide an opportunity to hear more about the Mayor of London’s transport vision "Way To Go", TfL’s new Business Plan and the results of London Civic Forum recent survey of transport concerns.
Date:08/01/2009 10am-2pm
Location:London's Living Room - City Hall
Find out more:
http://www.londoncivicforum.org.uk/page.asp?sid=10&dm_i=JD,DT3,1CMRF,LGL,1
c- Inside Government - Tackling Environmental Crime: Towards Cleaner, Safer and Greener Neighbourhoods:
This event will consider how environment and criminal justice authorities can use their power to combat environmental crime to ensure a better quality of life for the local community. There will also be a discussion on how best to engage and involve local communities in tackling this ongoing problem, the best way to implement and enforce powers and how reducing low level environmental crime can help reduce other anti-social behaviour and more serious crime.
Date:29/01/2009 09:20 – 16:05
Location:Central London
Find out more:
http://www.insidegovernment.co.uk/communities/crime_environmental/index.php
d-The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action and Urban Forum : Recipes for Community Representation - What Ingredients do You Need?
Urban Forum is collaborating with NAVCA to run a series of events to help voluntary and community groups to increase the effectiveness of community representation in their area.
Date:03/03/2009
Location: London
To book a place:
http://www.navca.org.uk/events/commrep.htm
e- Green Economics Institute 4th Annual Conference:
Call for paper and Bookings are now open
Papers and requests to speak must be received by 31 May 2009.
Date:From Friday 31 July, until Saturday 1 August 2009.
Location:Mansfield College Oxford University
To submit a paper or book a place, please contact:events@greeneconomicsinstitute.eu
For further information, visit:http://www.greeneconomics.org.uk/key79.html
f- NESTA:BETT Technology Education:
BETT is a technology in education event that enables teachers, leaders, local authorities and decision makers to enhance their knowledge and gain insight into the latest advances in technology. BETT supports creative teaching and learning, by enabling practitioners to test resources, debate ideas and continue their professional development.
Date:From 14 - 17 January 2009
Location:Olympia – London
http://www.nesta.org.uk/bett-14-17-january-200/
5-Policy:
a- Department for Communities and Local Government Consultation - Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity:
This consultation paper is one of a series consulting on a number of policy commitments set out in the White Paper, Communities in control: Real People, Real power. It seeks views on the future of the Publicity Code and in particular on the code as an instrument for protecting public money (of either national or local taxpayers) while allowing councils to issue effective publicity.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/publicitycodeconsultation
b-Department for Energy and Climate Change - Consultation on Carbon Units, the Net UK Carbon Account and Carbon Accounting.
The Department for Energy and Climate change opened consultation to seek views on the proposals for carbon accounting in the UK under the Climate Change Bill (the Bill). The Bill requires the Secretary of State to make provision for a carbon accounting scheme by the introduction of new carbon accounting regulations. Carbon accounting will be used to determine compliance with the carbon budgets and targets established under the Bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the UK.
Find out more:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/carbon-accounting/index.htm
6-News:
a-The Engineering and Physical Science Research Council - Science and Innovation Award Announced:
The Engineering and Physical Science Research Council announced that Five-year grants totalling £20m will be given to Bath, Imperial, London School of Economics, Edinburgh, Exeter, Heriot-Watt, Lancaster, Manchester and Strathclyde Universities as a result of the EPSRC 2008 Science and Innovation Awards.
To find out more about each award recipient's research programmes, please visit,
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/PressReleases/SIAwards2008.htm
b- DEFRA - Leading Supermarkets Pledge 50% Cut in the Offer of Carrier Bags:
Environment Minister Jane Kennedy and Britain’s leading supermarkets have agreed on a 50 per cent cut in the number of carrier bags given out by spring 2009.
The Government has agreed with the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which covers seven of Britain’s major supermarket chains on reducing the carrier bags provided to customers by 50 per cent against 2006 levels,in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The number of bags saved by spring next year through this agreement would fill 60 Olympic-sized swimming pools, or fill the Royal Albert Hall one and a half times.
The government believes that the agreement a step in the right direction to reach a 70 per cent reduction in the longer term.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/081218b.htm
c- Department for Communities and Local Authorities - New Proposals to Make the 2016 Zero Carbon Homes Target a Reality:
Government launches proposal to make all new homes carbon zero by 2016.
More than 25 per cent of the UK's carbon emissions are produced by houses, and with the Government committed to reducing carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, both existing and new homes must become more carbon efficient. The Government has already set out its plans to make all new homes zero carbon by 2016. The consultation process being launched in December 2008 will enable the detailed requirements to be set.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1101131
d- Environment Agency - New Guidance for Landfill Operators on Low-level and Very Low-level Radioactive Waste:
The Environment Agency new guidance for landfill operators in England and Wales explains the rules and process for controlled disposal of low-level radioactive waste at landfill following DEFRA's last year's introduction of a more flexible policy approach allowing for the disposal at landfill of certain categories of low-level radioactive waste and very low-level radioactive waste like rubble and soil from decommissioning activities.
Find out more:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/100366.aspx?
7-Funding:
a- Natcen - Investing in Fundraising Pays dividends for UK Universities:
Fundraising campaigns have increasingly been used by the UK Universities to support their competitiveness and income growth.
Numbers show clear and positive correlations between the number of alumni in contact with their universities, the proportion of alumni that make a gift and the total numbers of donors.
Find out more:
http://www.natcen.ac.uk/natcen/pages/news_and_media_docs/RossCase_press_release.pdf
b- Financial Times and Forum for the Future Climate Change Competition:
The Financial Times and Forum for the Future are hosting a competition to find the most innovative solution to the effects of climate change. The winner could be a new technology, system or service, novel organisation or business model. Sponsored by Hewlett-Packard, the $75,000 prize aims to turn the best idea into reality.
http://www.ft.com/indepth/climatechallenge
8-Training and Jobs:
a- EPSRC Workshop - Boost your Career in Science and Engineering:
A one day workshop focusing on career development and improving communication in the field of Science and Engineering. The workshop is being run by The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and will give scientists practical advice on how to communicate verbally with colleagues, the public and the media, how to improve written publications and funding applications, how to further their career, and how to obtain a professional qualification.
Find out more:
http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/Events/BoostYourCareer.htm
b- Participation works Training:Building a Culture of Participation:
This course aims to equip individuals with basic theory and practical approaches to participation, to help them build a culture of participation.
Date: 13/01/2009 From 09:30 until 16:30
Location:The foresight Centre – Liverpool
To book a place, please visit:
c- Capacity Global and Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development-Residential course:Understanding Environment, Poverty & Globalisation:
A residential short course for people to explore the connection between poverty alleviation and environmental protection, and look at solutions in a national and global context.
The residential course will provide an opportunity for participants to better understand the environmental issues we are faced with today and the complex relationships surrounding them. It offers a unique forum to better explore the different issues, engaging in group discussions and drawing out their interests regarding them.
Date:9/10/11 February 2009.
Location:Oxford
To book a place, visit:
http://www.capacity.org.uk/events/index.html