Latest news with #communitydevelopment
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Gulf Bank partners with Basta to promote financial literacy among youth through 'Banker for the Day' program
As part of its ongoing commitment to community development and promoting financial literacy among younger generations, Gulf Bank has collaborated with Basta, a non-profit organization, to launch the 'Banker for the Day' program. Aimed at children and youth aged 10 and above, the initiative offers an engaging and interactive opportunity to explore how banks operate from the inside. This innovative program is a milestone in the field of financial education, offering participants a rich, three-hour experience that combines learning and fun. It provides young attendees with an in-depth look into the world of banking, while emphasizing the importance of making smart financial decisions from an early age. Program activities include guided tours inside the Bank's various departments, where participants are introduced to the daily operations of different roles. They are invited to step into the shoes of employees such as tellers, call center agents, and customer service representatives – experiencing real-world tasks in a simulated environment. The program also features hands-on exercises, educational games, and financial-themed competitions designed to introduce basic concepts like saving, budgeting, and financial planning. To keep participants motivated, the program features giveaways and rewards designed to spark enthusiasm and encourage teamwork. Gulf Bank's team highlighted that the initiative provides young people with a valuable opportunity to explore the banking industry firsthand, while building essential life skills like communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving — key foundations for shaping future leaders. Organizers emphasized that children are warmly welcomed and supported by Gulf Bank staff throughout the session, receiving clear and practical guidance to help them make the most of the experience. The result is an engaging and meaningful introduction to financial literacy. The 'Banker for the Day' program reflects Gulf Bank's strong commitment to community engagement and empowering the next generation. By equipping young individuals with knowledge and confidence, the Bank continues to play a vital role in fostering Kuwait's intellectual and economic development.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
David Boyle obituary
In his 1989 book Building Futures, David Boyle, who has died aged 67 from complications linked to Parkinson's, argued that mainstream economics was failing cities and a new localism could save them. This emphasis on communities rather than large-scale centralised development tied in with the broad theme that David saw as running through his work: 'The importance of human-scale institutions over centralised ones, human imagination over dull rationalism, and the human spirit over technocratic reduction.' Funny Money: In Search of Alternative Cash (1999) explored local economic systems found mainly on a journey through the US. Exchanging services within community systems run by volunteers can be facilitated through 'time banks'. The idea of the 'time dollar', representing one hour of help, whether grocery shopping or preparing a tax return, was popularised by the Washington law professor Edgar Cahn. He saw the principle as akin to a blood bank or a babysitting club: 'Help a neighbour and then, when you need it, a neighbour – most likely a different one – will help you.' David pursued these ideas through the work of the New Economics Foundation, formed in 1986 out of The Other Economic Summit, a body providing a critical shadow to G7 summits to promote radical economic perspectives and voices from the global south. The NEF aims to transform the economy so that it works for people and the planet. From 1987 to 2010, David was the editor of the magazines and newspapers produced by the NEF and his work there also included establishing a UK network of time banks. By 2008 he and Martin Simon, the chief executive of Timebanking UK, were able to produce the report The New Wealth of Time, showing how the multiplier effect of strangers pooling their efforts could extend to improving public services through organisations. This drew on another idea important to David: co-production, with one hour from an unemployed single parent, for instance, counting for as much as one from a surgeon or other professional. The principle could be applied in mental and physical health – such as the Rushey Green Time Bank developed by GPs in Lewisham, south-east London – services for young people and older people, regeneration, housing and social justice. David believed that whenever something is wrong, it is probably too big. He applied his analysis of scale, inhuman and remote organisations to both the state and markets in books including The Tyranny of Numbers (2001); Authenticity (2003), rejecting the corporate and fake in favour of the local and real; two written with Andrew Simms, The New Economics (2009) and Eminent Corporations (2010); The Human Element (2011); Broke: Who Killed the Middle Classes? (2013); and Tickbox (2020), pointing to the pitfalls of dehumanising decision making. The Money Changers: Currency Reform from Aristotle to E-Cash (2002) was a collection he edited viewing money in various ways as a changeable means to an end, in line with John Ruskin's observation that 'There is no wealth but life.' In 2012-13 David led the government inquiry Barriers to Choice, examining access to healthcare, social care and education. His central finding was that: 'Although people welcome choice in the services they use, there is a minority of people who – for a variety of reasons – are excluded from those benefits, often because they lack the confidence, the information, or the advice that they need.' The Guardian applauded it for 'pulling the issue away from the old market v state argument and reframing choice as an issue of user power'. David identified in practical detail what could make systems work better for disadvantaged people. In 2013 he set up the New Weather Institute thinktank with me and Simms to promote a rapid transition to a fair economy that can thrive within planetary ecological boundaries. Born in Paddington, central London, David was the son of Diana (nee Evelegh), who became a magistrate, and Richard Boyle, an investment banker. An ancestor was Sir John Lubbock, the first Lord Avebury, the Liberal politician who introduced the Bank Holidays Act 1871. Childhood illness and hospitalisation may have contributed to David's later sense of drive. He was educated at The Hall school, Hampstead, and Clifton college, Bristol, and gained a degree in philosophy and theology at Trinity College, Oxford (1977-80). His own interest in politics emerged in a wish to align Liberal economic policies with the impossibility of infinite economic growth, and a desire to work with Green politicians. On graduating he became a reporter on the Oxford Star, and went on to edit the Town and Country Planning Journal (1985-88), a pioneering publication that campaigned for planning centred on people and nature. A voice on what from 1988 was the Liberal Democrats national policy committee, he edited the weekly Liberal Democrat News for six years from 1992 and stood in the 2001 general election. He believed that economic education could empower people, and in 2019 co-authored Economics – A Crash Course, a beginners' guide to heterodox economics, diverse and non-dogmatic, drawing on multiple schools of thought. Quite devoid of ego, he made the discussion of ideas an adventure, and helped make localism a buzzword across all the political parties. Another framework for the exploration of ideas came from his extensive historical writing, with subjects ranging from Caractacus to Alan Turing. Through the imprint that David set up, The Real Press, he published five collections of modern folk tales, niche histories, and fiction. His play Passport to Steyning celebrated the West Sussex town that he lived in declaring independence in the face of global warming, and was performed at the Steyning festival in 2018, with many of the characters playing themselves. Through the NEF he met Sarah Burns, later a textile designer, and they married in 2003. She survives him, along with their sons, Robin and William, his sisters, Fiona, Serena, Kristina and Louisa, and his brother, James. David Courtney Boyle, political economist, environmentalist and writer, born 20 May 1958; died 20 June 2025
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans for 270 new homes approved in Ashtead
Up to 270 new homes are to be built in a Surrey village close to the Valley District Council's development committee has approved the plans for land south of Ermyn Way in proposals, which include 108 affordable properties, a community building and space for gypsy and traveller pitches, were approved by six votes to five with two Beresford, from Ashtead Residents' Association, said: "Adding 580 residents would be unsustainable, the character of the area will certainly be harmed." The new development will be Surrey's biggest cul-de-sac, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Wates said the scheme would "go a considerable way to alleviating housing pressure in the area".The company said it had been working on the proposals since 2014, with both the council and planning inspector agreeing it was a sustainable site.A spokesperson said: "Mole Valley is one of the least affordable places to buy a home with about 680 households currently on the waiting list."The still-to-be-determined final layout will include a purpose-built community building with potential for a children's nursery, 30 acres of open space with green corridors and children's play areas, and cycling schools have told the council there is enough capacity to take on the expected increase in children moving into the area, the meeting heard. But independent councillor Gerry Sevenoaks said he opposed the development."It will have a devastating impact, increasing traffic pollution and loss of biodiversity," he said."But more importantly, there would be a devastating impact on the residents living close to this development."
News.com.au
09-07-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Inside East Sunbury's new $8m shopping village
A major new shopping and civic precinct in Melbourne's outer northwest is officially under construction. Retailers Woolworths, Priceline, Kingswim and Anytime Fitness have already signed on — as developers tip the area's booming population will more than double over the next 20 years. Community developer Birchmore and capital partner IDA this week began construction on East Village Sunbury, a $8m-plus neighbourhood centre set to anchor the Kingsfield estate off Lancefield Rd. Due to open in late 2026, the 9250sq m precinct will deliver a full-line Woolworths, medical centre, swim school, food hall, and five stand-alone buildings connected by landscaped laneways and public gathering spaces. $1.5m Vic home that pays the mortgage The new shopping centre is already over 70 per cent leased and includes a car park with 263 spaces at ground level and another 175 spaces underneath. Birchmore managing director Andrew Peters said the development was a 'long-term bet on Sunbury's future'. 'Sunbury is a growth area we have a lot of confidence in, the fundamentals are strong, there's significant residential development underway, and a real need for community-focused retail,' Mr Peters said. 'Our ethos is all about sustainable communities, we're not just building shops, we're creating a walkable neighbourhood centre that brings people together.' Official forecasts commissioned by Birchmore suggest the area's population will grow by 165 per cent over two decades, with a potential 64,250 new homes still to come across the Lancefield Rd precinct. The project's public-facing architecture was awarded to Genton via a design competition, with a focus on blending civic and retail use, outdoor dining, and strong pedestrian flow throughout. Also planned is a food and beverage laneway called Market Row, a five-tenancy food hall with two kiosks, and civic space to host local events. East Village Sunbury is expected to benefit from more than 8500 daily vehicle movements along Lancefield Rd, with key access points designed for local traffic efficiency. The centre will be delivered in a single stage by commercial builder Mainbrace Construction. It comes as Sunbury cements itself as Melbourne's next major retail growth hotspot, with a $2bn pipeline of new precincts, including the 10.3 ha Sunbury South Town Centre now on the market.
CBC
08-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Future of Tamil Community Centre could be in jeopardy unless fundraising goal met: organizers
Social Sharing Members of Toronto's Tamil community have been working hard the last few years to fundraise for the construction of a new community centre, but those behind the project say it may be in jeopardy unless significant funding is raised by the fall. The Tamil Community Centre (TCC) — to be constructed in Scarborough — is set to include a library, museum, auditorium, recreational spaces and spots to facilitate community programming. But that vision hinges on enough financial commitment, says Kubes Navaratnam, a member of the board of directors for the TCC. "There is an urgency," said Navaratnam. "The federal funding, provincial funding and even the city land is conditional on the fact that the community is going to come together and help build this public facility for us." In 2020, Toronto city council voted unanimously in support of 311 Staines Rd. as the home for the TCC. A land lease was finalized between the city and TCC in 2021 with annual rent of $1 plus HST. The federal and provincial government announced more than $26 million in funding. The remaining cost, approximately $40 million, is in the hands of the Tamil community. The non-profit TCC has launched an online campaign to raise $15 million by Sept. 27, which is the date of its annual general meeting, to keep the project on track. The Founding Families Campaign is searching for 2,500 families to step up and commit to donating $5,000 dollars over the next two years. "If they do, they get their name engraved in the wall," Navaratnam explained, adding the centre is also accepting donations of any amount. If it can't raise the funds, the board fears it will have to potentially delay, scale down or cancel the centre altogether. Keerthana Rang, chair of the board of directors for the TCC, says the project is an opportunity to build something that will preserve Tamil culture, heritage and language, but also serve the greater community. "It's also an area in Scarborough that is under-served, where there's not enough community spaces," she said. "So not only will it be great for the community here, but it's going to be an amazing centre for all the communities in Morningside Heights." Future centre to house community programming Once it's built — the non-profit centre will also provide an inclusive space where local organizations can offer programming. The Centre for Leadership and Innovation — which offers programming for youth — will be one of them. It facilitates workshops and events that help promote leadership and innovation among Tamil Canadians and other multicultural communities. "All of these programs, right now, we are [hosting them] at separate places," said Chen Muthukumaraswamy, who is on the board of directors for the organization. "But having a Tamil Community Centre, it would be awesome for us to host some of these events there and have a central spot where everyone can come in and mingle together," he said. If the TCC stays on track with its fundraising goals, it plans to get shovels in the ground in the spring and host a grand opening party in 2028.
