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Grapevine Vol.1/no.1 Index
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Presenting... an alternative. An information bike path, or a grapevine, if you like, connecting people interested in sustainable communities across the province, for the purpose of information and resource-sharing, discussion and joint action.
Communities in Nova Scotia are struggling to overcome economic hardships - in particular resulting from the collapse of the East Coast fisheries. The Sustainable Communities Network of N.S. is a newly -formed organization with a mandate to promote a vision of resilient communities which are environment and people friendly. In this vision, communities have a healthy and diverse economic, social and cultural life, and a measure of self-reliance.
Here are a number of environment-friendly alternative economic "success stories" in the Maritimes -- peer lending groups, worker-owned co-ops -- that few people ever hear about. The SCN will promote this vision by facilitating information exchange, educational opportunities and co-operation among groups and individuals working in areas related to sustainable communities; environment, economy, business/primary production, health and social welfare, international development, and culture.
Formally incorporated as a non-profit organization in Nov. 1993, the SCN is currently "under construction", with the assistance of a volunteer working group engaged in planning and development.
The initial focus of the Network is the development of an electronic data-base, an "information container" for a large variety of information already provided by member groups and organizations. The information will be made available to SCN members through electronic networks and more traditional mediums, such as print or floppy disks. The cost of tagging along on the information bike path will be minimal.
For those with access to a computer and a modem, the bike path becomes a high-speed adventure. SCN members will zip private correspondence back and forth, exchange ideas through an electronic "town hall" (a discussion forum), conduct research, present discussion papers and case studies, advertise resources, ongoing projects and upcoming events, and figure out other interesting uses for the Network. Wheeeeeeee!!!! The Network will also have the capacity to "go global", acting as an electronic news "clipping" service by accessing and editing information pertaining to sustainable community development available on global electronic networks. In Metro, the SCN will be "housed" or "hosted" by the Chebucto Freenet, a community-based organization that will provide free public access to local and global electronic networks. FreeNets are currently being developed in Cape Breton and other areas of the province. Those living outside these areas will need to subscribe to the Internet in order to have on-line access to the SCN data-base.
Negotiations are underway with the provincial library service to make the SCN data-base accessible to the public through computers housed in libraries around the province. A long-term goal of the SCN is to facilitate widespread public computer access in Nova Scotia.
Much of the volunteer effort is currently being directed towards acquiring funding for equipment and salary. Technical design of the data-base and data input are already underway, and the information network should be available to members by late summer.
But there's more... in our wildest dreams, we see the SCN as playing an active rol e in community animation -- a process in which communities develop their own vision of the future, determine their unique strengths and barriers, and develop a plan that accounts for social, cultural, environmental and economic health.
We invite you to add your voice to the Network!
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