The Center for Popular Economics &
the N.H. Program of the AFSC
invite you to the

2009 Summer Institute
After the Economic Meltdown:
Building a Solidarity Economy

World Fellowship Center, Conway, N.H.
July 12-17, 2009

Learn how the economy works and gain tools
to make your activism more effective.

CPE’s Summer Institute CPE’s Summer Institute is a week-long intensive training in economics for activists, educators, and anyone who wants a better understanding of economics. We focus on how economic systems impact our lives and work every day. Our trainings are highly participatory and build on the knowledge and experience of our participants.
No background in economics is required.

Core Classrooms At the heart of the Summer Institute program are two core courses, one on the U.S. Economy, one on the International Economy. All participants must choose one core course. The core classes meet each day in the mornings. Below is a sample of topics. For overview of week, see Schedule at a Glance.

U.S. Economy

• Economy, race, class and gender
• Personal to global economic histories
• Labor and the workplace
• Roots of the Economic Meltdown & policy solutions (eg. fiscal & monetary)
• An intro. to international economics
• Economic alternatives

International Economy

• Brief history of the global economy
• International trade
• International production
• International finance, roots of the Economic Meltdown and solutions
• Creating a new world economy

Afternoon and evening events: In addition to the core courses is a rich selection of workshops, panels and discussion groups. We are also planning a special field trip to Bretton Woods where global economic structures such as the IMF, World Bank, and global trade agreements were hammered out after WWII. There will also be time for relaxation, recreation and networking.

Special Track: After the Economic Meltdown: Building the Solidarity Economy
Each year, we choose an issue area that we focus on in the workshops and panels as well as in the core classrooms. Given the global economic crisis the clear choice was to focus on not only understanding the roots of the crisis, but how to get beyond it for the long term. This year’s special track will look at:
• How did we get into this economic mess? Was it individual greed or the way the system is rigged?
• What drives these booms and busts? Why do they happen on a regular basis?
• Could the economic crisis have been avoided?
• Is there a better way - one that puts people and planet front and center?
• What is the solidarity economy all about?

Participants have described these courses as ‘inspiring, intense, stimulating, comprehensive.” We cover a lot of material in a short amount of time, which can be both challenging and rewarding. All participants must choose one core course. The core classes meet each day in the mornings.

Fees: The fee for tuition for the week is based on a sliding scale of $125-250. Using a sliding scale is an act of solidarity - those who can afford more pay at the higher end to enable those with fewer resources to pay at the lower end. The tuition fee mainly goes towards paying the teaching teams. A payment plan is an option.

The cost of food & lodging is in addition to the program fee. Fees for food and lodging range from $294 for camping to $613 for the best single at the World Fellowship Center. Please contact the World Fellowship Center directly. Special rates available for N.H. residents.

Academic and professional development credit is available through the UMass-Amherst Continuing education Department.

Earn 3 undergraduate or graduate credits; 67.5 Professional Development Points; or 6.75 Continuing Education Units.

For more information email: programs@populareconomics.org or call us at (413) 545-0743.

Location and Facilities: The Summer Institute will be held at the beautiful World Fellowship Center (WFC), a retreat center “with a social conscience.” World Fellowship is an inter-generational summer camp and conference center with a mission of promoting peace and social justice through education and dialog inspired by nature. There are a variety of housing options available. Please visit the WFC website (www.worldfellowship.org) or call 603-447-2280 for more info. and to reserve a space.