Who are we, and what do we do?
We are a “General Contractor.”
- Other groups fail because they behave as sub-contractors doing unsustainable, “Stand-Alone” projects (like wells, schools, micro-finance).
We start with a plan – a strategic and networked plan.
- Other groups start with a project idea and hope that it fits into some overall plan for the area.
We use TRI-PARTITE engagement.
- We bring together Government, Business, and Civil society members to all work together toward the same goals.
Why do you work with firms, and why so much with mining and oil and gas firms? Don’t they cause the conflict?
- Firms have a great deal of resources they can bring to bear on a situation. If we don’t have them in the loop in any particular setting, working with us, then our actions and theirs can, unwittingly, go in different directions. This would be counterproductive to all involved so we work with them instead.
- Mining and oil and gas firms can often seem to be causing or exacerbating conflict when in fact they are of course, trying very hard not to. They often must work right where there is conflict already. They are trying not to make it worse. They could use all the help they can get – and they are very happy to have it.
- These industries are what we call gateway industries. It is through these industries that economies will need to go in order to change from agriculture-based economies to service- and knowledge-based economies. We can help them get there right
What is meant by a Strategic and Networked economic development plan?
- Strategic refers to: The knowledge that “stand-alone” initiatives aren’t sustainable. That means we must select the right initiative from within each “toolbox,” ensuring that all the “toolboxes” are represented. By knowing the “toolboxes” and selecting at least one tool from each box, we will have designed a plan for economic development that has a strategy into which each tactic (aka “tool” or initiative) fits. This is important to ensure that benefit occurs from each initiative and that all of them are sustainable.
- Networked means: That there is buy-in, engagement, and participation from all sectors of the community including but not limited to: civil sector (the people,) private sector (firms,) and public (governmental) sector.
I would like to hold a wine and cheese presentation event at my home to help financially support the work and specific projects of Peace Institute of the Rockies, what do I need to do this:
- You need the email addresses of 30 or more friends and neighbors, and a room (or two contiguous rooms) that could hold at least 30 participants,
- You will need to send out a Save The Date Evite 30 days in advance of the presentation, an official invitation with RSVP request two weeks in advance of the presentation, a reminder two days before the presentation, and a Thank You within 10 days following the presentation,
- You will need to be able to provide wine, cheese, and crackers, and a non-alcoholic beverage for the evening.
- And that is all there is to it!