Measuring wellbeing

“How are Canadians really doing?” This is the question posed by the first report of the Institute of Wellbeing. Why does it think that we don’t “really” understand Canadians’ wellbeing? Because GDP remains the most common measure, despite the fact that it wasn’t originally intended to be used as such, and that it implies a very narrow idea of what makes life good. Spending on tobacco, natural and human-made disasters, crime and accidents all make GDP go up, but they are hardly signs that Canadians are better off. The Report unveils a better measure, the Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW), in the hope of re-centering public policy and discourse on a more relevant set of priorities.

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Here’s the round-up of the week in the newsfeeds. Below I highlight my favourite articles of the week from each category.

Today’s Top Pick - “Investors Bet on Payments via Cellphone“. Find out more under Business and Entrepreneurship.

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From Body & Soul, a play for fearless women

Our social innovation program (SiG@MaRS) works with many female social entrepreneurs who are creating a new path outside stereotypical roles. To celebrate them and the other “fearless women” making a difference, SiG held an event featuring Judith Thompson’s play, Body & Soul at the Tarragon Theatre last Tuesday. There, SiG@MaRS and the Ontario Trillium Foundation announced a feasibility study for the School for Social Entrepreneurs based on the UK model.

Julia Moulden, author of We are the New Radicals, asked the room of 100+ entrepreneurial women, “Do you hear that? It’s the sound of women rising”. Her position is that today’s fearless women are on a mission, “and this time we intend to save the world.”

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Here’s the round-up of the week in the newsfeeds. Below I highlight my favourite articles of the week from each category.

Today’s Top Pick - “Government of Canada Announces $450 Million in New Funding for BDC to Assist Canadian Businesses“. Find out more under Venture Capital.

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Making digerati out of changemakers

When new methods of communicating, organizing and mobilizing are brought to bear on chronic social issues, amazing change can happen. Between June 8-12, 2009, MaRS held our first ever Net Change, a week dedicated to exploring this intersection between social technology and social change.

What are the implications of new media, technology and strategies to social causes? Fourteen different Net Change events, including an art show, experimented with ways of creating and sharing information and knowledge on this question.

Bridging the “digital divide” between web professionals and people creating social change, participants were from all different sectors and leadership levels. They picked up not only critical skills and tactics in new disciplines, but also an understanding of how to apply them to their organizational strategy. Want to cross the divide too?

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Changing our idea of the role of women

Last month, the Right Honourable Kim Campbell was presented with the EVE award which recognizes women for their significant achievements in politics. At the event, Campbell spoke of the necessity of women in politics but was mindful of the barriers in place that prevent this from happening. She recalled her political career and her rise to the most powerful and respected political position in Canada while acknowledging that it was not always easy.

We may want to believe we are gender neutral when it comes to getting the best person for the job but it’s not always the case.  The gender issue has always been contentious for professions that fall outside the stereotypical female roles, particularly when women are negotiating a space they traditionally haven’t occupied yet. SiG@MaRS works with many female social entrepreneurs who are creating a new path that benefits them and Canadian society. To celebrate them and the other “fearless women” who are making a difference, SiG@MaRS is holding an evening held at the Tarragon Theatre featuring Judith Thompson’s play, Body & Soul. At this event SiG@MaRS will be announcing the Ontario Trillium Foundation funding of the feasibility study for the School for Social Entrepreneurs, which will promote female entrepreneurs.

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Henry Chesbrough first coined the term “open innovation” in his book Open Innovation: The New Imperative for Creating and Profiting from Technology (2003).  He described a shift from a traditional closed model of innovation to an open model in which R&D-driven firms look outside their organization to solve internal research and development problems.  By working with external individuals or organizations, a firm can benefit from an increase in the number and diversity of potential solutions that would not have been possible in-house.

Life sciences businesses can now take advantage of this trend after the launch of the latest online marketplace for problems and solutions.

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Illustration Remix by Kirby Ferguson

Changemakers everywhere, take note. The first rule of thumb if you want your cause du jour to make waves? Assume the position of any self respecting marketer and come up with a memorable, recognizable brand.

Sure, adopting a capitalist approach to social awareness campaigns feels scary–maybe even downright slimy. But if motivating the public to act up is a part of your leftist-led throwdown, branding and delivering a clear message is very, very necessary.

Case in point: Net Neutrality.

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Mobile apps do good

Last night’s Mobile Monday at MaRS (affectionately known as #MoMoTo) featured two mobile applications of interest to not-for-profit organizations:  Calliflower (presented by Alec Saunders) and XMGive, from the group that brought you Admeris (presented by Simon Law).

This special event was held in conjunction with Net Change Week and we thank Jim Brown and the organizers for working with us on this great event.

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Here’s the round-up of the week in the newsfeeds. Below I highlight my favourite articles of the week from each category.

Today’s Top Pick - “IPO drought? Cleantech companies flood Canadian markets“. Find out more under Cleantech.

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