Three organizations launch an environmental sustainability workshop

by Ramon Sales

Three Winnipeg-based organizations, Caring for our Environment – Manitoba (CEM), Manitoba Filipino Business Council, and Prairie Circular Economy, came together to co-host a Strategic Planning Workshop. The workshop titled “Empowering Change: Strengthening our Community through Sustainability,” was held on October 26, 2024, at the Sir William Stephenson Library in Winnipeg. This workshop was a core activity under the CEM’s Strategic Planning Project, which was made possible through a grant from the Assiniboine Credit Union.

This workshop aimed to foster community and business awareness and action toward achieving a greener, healthier and safer Manitoba. The workshop brought together 24 members of the Filipino community, partner organizations, community leaders, small business owners, youths, and seniors in Manitoba.

The workshop kicked off with an inspiring message from Jackie Wild, President of Manitoba Filipino Business Council (MFBC). She highlighted the importance of building a future that supports youth, our children, and the generations to come who will have the resources they need to thrive, succeed, and carry forward a healthy, vibrant community. She added that “taking action, no matter how small, brings us closer to a sustainable future.” Jackie put forward the idea that “circular economy is not just a concept but a mindset. It is about finding ways to reduce waste, rethinking how we consume resources and creating systems that can support our futures in the long term.”

CEM Chairperson, Ramon Sales, provided an overview of the workshop agenda, objectives and the planned interactive activities for the attendees.

One of the highlights of the workshop was the presentation of Curt Hull, Project Director of the Climate Change Connection, on the report titled “Manitoba’s Road to Resilience: A Community Climate Action Pathway to a Fossil Fuel Free Future,” developed by the Manitoba Climate Action Team. He outlined a vision for a fossil fuel-free future for the province that has fewer cars, better public transit, more efficient buildings and more locally grown food.

Meghan Ostrum, owner and consultant of the Prairie Circular Economy, delivered an engaging presentation on circular economy – what it is all about and how it is different from the existing linear and recycling economy approaches. She clarified that linear economy is based on the “take, make, use, dispose” model, where resources are extracted, used to create products, and then discarded. The circular economy, on the other hand, is based on the principles of “reduce, reuse, recycle,” where the focus is on minimizing waste and maximizing the use of resources. She concluded by encouraging the participants to take small steps and lead by example.

Through facilitated breakout discussions, the participants shared their experiences and insights about their community needs, challenges and opportunities, as well as their concept of a shared vision. The workshop concluded with a pledge of commitment, where participants identified actions that they would start, stop, and continue doing in their daily lives to support environmental sustainability.

CEM would like to thank all workshop participants, emcee and facilitators, including Karla Atanacio (MFBC Director), Ann Evangelista, Dennis Gupa (both CEM Board members), other CEM Board members and Michael Alimurung (Project Assistant), as well as the Manitoba Filipino Business Council, Prairie Circular Economy, and the Assiniboine Credit Union, for making this event a success. CEM plans to host similar workshops in the future, continuing its mission to educate and empower the community.

Individuals who are interested to join CEM and do volunteer work may send an e-mail to caring4environment@gmail.com. You may also visit CEM’s website for more updates at www.ceminc.org.

Ramon Sales, PhD, is the Chairperson of Caring for our Environment – Manitoba (CEM).