`Peter R. Elson clearly highlights the structural problems currently facing the voluntary sector by examining the historical and institutional forces that have driven relationships between governments and non-profits. He provides compelling evidence that critical junctures occur as a consequence of developments both incremental and dramatic. High Ideals and Noble Intentions provides a blueprint for change that will be significant to the future development of the voluntary sector in Canada.' James J. Rice, School of Social Work, McMaster University `High Ideals and Noble Intentions fills a void in the current literature on Canada's non-profits by providing a comprehensive political history of the sector within a book-length analytical framework. Peter R. Elson's thorough understanding of voluntary institutions and national policy allows him to build a logical, evidentiary argument. The questions he raises, presented accessibly and engagingly, will have widespread policy appeal.' Jacquelyn Scott, Shannon School of Business, Cape Breton University

Equity is an abstract concept covering philosophical issues such as fairness and social justice, making its definition and measurement complex. This volume tackles these complexities head-on. The book is enriched with many empirical analyses and provides a comprehensive analysis of equity ranging from concepts and measurements to empirical illustrations and policy implications. After an extensive discussion on equity in the introduction, this volume begins with a chapter on well-being where the concepts of functioning and capability are discussed. This is followed by a few chapters on what an equitable distribution is and how equity can be measured. The volume then provides a definition and a methodology to measure equitable growth, examining the relationship between growth, inequality, and poverty. It also presents various empirical illustrations and country-specific experiences with three country case studies which assess whether publicly provided health and education services are equitable in developing Asia, examining the extent to which these social services favor the poor as well as the policy challenges to a more equitable delivery of these services. Finally, these country studies provide evidence–based policy recommendations to improve equity in social service delivery in developing countries. Achieving social equity has long been an important policy goal. There are relatively few studies on equity. This book aims to help fill this gap with an in-depth analysis of the issues associated with equity, covering its concept, measurement, and policy practices and implications.

Plunkett's Almanac of Middle Market Companies 2008 is designed to be time-saving business development tool for professionals, marketers, sales directors, consultants and strategists seeking to understand and reach middle market American companies. It will also be of great use to placement, recruiting and human resources professionals, as well as professionals working in economic development, lending and media. It covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis--everything you need to identify and develop strategies for middle market corporations. Coverage includes all major business sectors, from InfoTech to health care to telecommunications and much more. (We have intentionally omitted retail companies and banks.) These profiles and details on over 500 middle market firms are pulled from our extensive company and industry databases. We also include a business glossary and a listing of business contacts, such as industry associations and government agencies. Next, we profile hundreds of leading middle market companies. Our company profiles include complete business descriptions and up to 27 executives by name and title. Purchasers of either the book or PDF version can receive a free copy of the company profiles database on CD-ROM, enabling key word search and export of key information, addresses, phone numbers and executive names with titles for every company profiled.

What defines a sustainable food system? How can it be more inclusive? How do local and global scales interact and how does power flow within food systems? How to encourage an interdisciplinary approach to realizing sustainable food systems? And how to activate change? These questions are considered by EU and North American academics and practitioners in this book. Using a wide range of case studies, it provides a critical overview, showing how and where theory and practice can converge to produce more sustainable food systems.