22 September 2010: the LG Alliance will be hosting a 1 day training workshop for councils on getting the most out of international development. Register now and reserve your place

SEPTEMBER 2010

9 September 2010 : Lifelong Learning for a Just and Sustainable World

Date: 9 September 2010, 2-5pm           Location: The Mechanics’ Institute, Manchester. Registration fee: £195 plus VAT

DEA and Campaign for Learning are pleased to invite you to the conference 'Lifelong Learning for a Just and Sustainable World' on 9 September 2010 at the Mechanics' Institute, Manchester.

This event will bring together experts from different learning contexts to lead an exploration of what works in supporting lifelong global learning. Confirmed speakers and workshop facilitators include experienced practitioners from Oxfam, NIACE, Development Education Project Manchester, Y Care International and Nottingham Trent University.

If you are an educator in a school, workplace, adult education context or youth setting, join Tricia Hartley, Chief Executive, Campaign for Learning and Kate Brown, DEA, for a full day's exploration of lifelong approaches to learning for a just and sustainable world.

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22 September 2010: International Development & Local Government Training Day

Date: 22 September 2010 (09.30-16.00)                    Location: Local Government House, Smith Square, London        free event

The training day is designed to help you and your partners get the most out of your international work. It will cover the essentials of international development work and provide delegates with an update on government thinking around international priorities. Delegates will come away with ideas on how to make their international work more effective and practical action points to help them achieve this. Specific areas that will be covered include:

• International development and the MDGs - why local government matters
• Project Management in an international context (strategy development, implementation, monitoring & evaluating)
• Finding funding and writing a good application
• Partnership working in a development context

Register now to reserve your place

Complete our short survey to tell us about your training needs

24 September 2010: FAIR PROCURA 2010

Date: 24 September 2010        Location: Dortmund, Germany       Attendance: there's a small budget available to help cover some expenses (contact Astrid This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

European level conference focussing on public procurement. The sessions cover the do and don'ts of fair trade public procurement and include workshops on textiles and food.

For further information see the conference flyer or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

OCTOBER 2010

19 October 2010: Southwest Fairtrade Procurement Conference

Date: 19 October                   Location: Eden Project, Cornwall       Registration fee: £30

Socially responsible procurement is growing in prominence as public bodies are being asked increasingly to address different priorities within their procurement activities. However, there is still serious concern about how to address social considerations in public sector procurement.

NOVEMBER 2010

July-November 2010: World Habitat Awards call for entries

The World Habitat Awards, now in their 25th year, recognise projects and approaches across the world that provide pratical, innovative and enduring solutions to current housing issues, in the global North as well as the South.Two awards are presented each year at the annual United Nations global celebration of World Habitat Day.

Call for entries must be received by 1st November 2010.

2 November 2010: DEA Conference - Big Global Society, unlocking social action on global issues

Date: 2 November 2010        Location: London, UK

The Coalition government has emphasised the importance of the Big Society, but it has focused primarily on local initiatives. To be a truly big society, and to meet the challenges of international poverty and climate change, we need to be a ‘Big Global Society’. This conference will be of interest to anyone seeking to engage the public in global issues, including NGOs, educators, policy makers, social enterprises, trade unions and progressive businesses.

For more details about the conference and to book tickets, please go to www.dea.org.uk/conference

MARCH 2011

15-18 March 2011: Commonwealth Local Government Conference - Energising local economies: Partnerships for prosperous communities

Date: 15-18 March 2011        Location: Cardiff, UK

Local government in many countries has a growing responsibility to support and promote local economic development (LED). This covers a range of different issues for the local government sector, from setting overall local strategic priorities, providing an enabling environment and efficient services for economic development to flourish, local procurement of goods and services, promoting inward investment, supporting training and skills development, directly attracting jobs and investment, working with central government, the private sector and other partners to implement joint investment and job-creating strategies. A healthy local economy also helps to sustain the tax-base of local authorities.

This conference will attract people working in the local government sector from across the Commonwealth. For further information visit the CLGC 2011 website

This conference will deliver up to date guidance on socially responsible procurement, and will highlight the profile of Fairtrade in public sector procurement.   The workshops will focus on three key areas – textiles (including work wear and uniforms), schools and education, and catering.

For registration details click here