Thinkers Documentary: From the Great Unraveling towards a Great Turning

A 30 minute documentary film has been released about the global polycrisis facing humanity today.

Civilizations and ecosystems as we know them are destabilizing.  Critical thresholds are being crossed, moving us all into a Great Unraveling.  Yet, there are seeds being sown for a Great Turning. 

For more information about this high-impact film, visit: towardsagreatturning.ca.

Watch the Trailer

Step into the deep and brave discussions, thoughts and feelings of Thinkers from all parts of the globe. Including Mi’kmaq Elders Joseph Michael and Albert Marshall.  Filmed at the Thinkers Lodge, Pugwash, Nova Scotia in October 2023.

It is highly recommended that this critical film be shown as a group or public screening.  For details on hosting a group screening contact info@centreforlocalprosperity.ca.

Public Events at Thinkers Lodge: Thinkers Reunion Oct 20, 21, 22

A reunion of all past Centre for Local Prosperity (CLP) Climate and Nuclear Crises Thinkers was held at Thinkers Lodge and related venues from October 19-22, 2023.

Since 2017, CLP has conducted eleven retreats at the historic Thinkers Lodge with invited groups of Thinkers from around the world to engage in deep and brave conversations about both the climate and nuclear crises.  Content from these past retreats can be viewed under the Climate Change tab at www.centreforlocalprosperity.ca.

The discussion framing for this Thinkers Reunion cut to the quick:  Civilizations and ecosystems as we know them are destabilizing.  Critical thresholds are being crossed, moving us all into a Great Unraveling.  Yet, there are seeds being sown for a Great Turning. 

This gathering activated this global network of Thinkers who understand and will undertake the type of transformative and regenerative work critically needed for humanity in these times. If you are interested in learning more about these Thinkers, please contact us at: info@centreforlocalprosperity.ca.

Atlantic Food Action Coalition

The Atlantic Food Action Coalition (AFAC) was formed as an outcome of the Dig In: Atlantic Food Systems Summit, held from November 19-22, 2022. The purpose of the Coalition is to build more robust and strong local food systems across Atlantic Canada. It is a multi-stakeholder organization representing a wide range of food systems players across a four Atlantic Canada provinces. AFAC was formed during a stakeholders meeting at Thinkers Lodge from May 4-7, 2023. For more information: info@foodsummit.ca

Dig In: Atlantic Canada Food Systems Summit

Dig In: The Atlantic Canada Food Systems Summit was a huge success! It was held at the Debert Hospitality Centre from November 17-19, 2022, and offered the opportunity to network with 200 delegates including 45 speakers involved in all aspects of our food systems from across Atlantic Canada.

The themes of food security and food sovereignty were explored from the perspectives of producers, processors, distributors, consumers and policy makers. Keynote speakers brought international and national hands-on experience to re-building regional food systems. Breakout sessions highlighted best case successes across all aspects of our food systems. An ongoing regional working alliance is being created coming out of this Summit. Contact CLP for more information about this alliance.

A Call To Action: A Statement from the Summit on Nuclear and Climate crises

Summit Thinkers came together at the Historic Thinkers Lodge in Pugwash Nova Scotia, and from around the globe via video conference, to foster both visionary and immediate actions to address the dual existential threats of climate change and the dangers of nuclear weapons. This is their Call to Action.

Thinkers Lodge Discusses Existential Threats: Nuclear Weapons and Climate Crises

MEDIA RELEASE (August 19, 2021): From September 19th to October 3rd, The Centre for Local Prosperity (CLP), in partnership with Thinkers Lodge, Pugwash, Nova Scotia, Canada has invited 24 Thinkers to enter deep and brave conversations on these topics at the Thinkers Lodge Summit on Nuclear and Climate Crises.

Assessing the potential for local procurement as an economic engine: An analysis of public sector institutional spending in Atlantic Canada

The Centre for Local Prosperity released a report studying the potential for local procurement by Atlantic Canada public sector anchor institutions as an economic development strategy. There could be a significant economic impact to our regional economies if more educational institutions, municipalities and other public sector anchors adopted a strategy for a small local shift in their procurement practices. 

Non-confidential aggregated data from four institutions is presented, which shows a significant potential economic stimulus from a 10% shift in their procurement to local suppliers. Examples are given in the report on how institutions can build responsive, local supply chains.

Exports, Imports and Local Economic Resilience

Many rural communities in Canada have dangerous trade imbalances, thanks to decades of emphasis on export-led growth and relatively little attention to the importance of meeting local demand with local production. As global markets fluctuate dramatically, communities watch their export income disappear and face acute shortages of goods and services they normally import. The conventional approach to fixing trade imbalances is to increase exports, but it leaves communities with a mismatch between what they produce and what they need. A underutilized approach to fixing trade imbalances is to decrease imports through ‘import replacement’, with an eye to meeting local needs with local production, keeping money circulating locally and creating good, stable, long-term jobs in the local economy.