Fonds - Global Village fonds

In 1976, the Nanaimo International Development Education Association (NIDEA) was incorporated under the Societies Act. NIDEA's mission was to make educational programing and material available locally about socio-economic development in Canada and abroad and particularly in developing nations and to encourage "individual commitment to simplification of life-styles, and to increase the awareness of the interdependence of life systems." The NIDEA lobbied the federal government about economic and social issues, and attended international, national and local conferences. In 1977, the NIDEA began publication of a monthly newsletter and co-sponsored with;Malaspina College a conference on international development. In 1979, David Weston became the first full-time coordinator of the NIDEA and the organization began to sponsor lecture and film series on issues such as energy, human rights, and women in the Third World. In 1983, the NIDEA changed its name to Global Village (Nanaimo) International Development Education Association. Global Village sponsored seminars in Nanaimo and partnered with Malaspina University College and School District 68 to deliver programs, educational materials, and conferences. In 1995, funding cuts forced the organization to shift from the delivery of workshops and conferences to retail sales of goods produced under fair trade, non-exploitative practices. Global Village continues to operate a retail outlet during the Christmas season.