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This section of
the website provides resources to assist citizens, and community based
groups in understanding the dynamics of the global economy and the implications
in a global era. It also provides links to resources at the local
level in a changing political environment where decentralization and devolution
is leading to new forms of decision -making. This involves
citizens and requires their empowerment in their communities, workplaces
and lives in general. This section of the website will evolve with
the active input from the listserv. We hope this will create
dialogue on issues related to governance, decision-making and citizenship.
In particular look at the annotated MAI World Wide Web list which has important
sites related to democracy, citizenship and public policy.
Global
Citizenship/ Global trusteeship/ Decision-Making
for a Changing World-Robert Theobald's Site
 Global Citizenship/
Global Trusteeship/
The following earth trustee formula seems a useful one for the global citizen in this new era in which we find ourselves. "As we approach civilization's Third Millennium we are faced with both formidable dangers and auspicious opportunities. There is now, more than any time in history, an urgent need to examine the state of the world -- its history, dangers and possibilities -- in order to determine how we can come together, avoid catastrophe, and cooperate to achieve our common goals. An agenda is needed that will appeal to people of every age, culture and creed. The following Earth Trustee Formula can accomplish this purpose: "Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure."  http://www.calvoter.org The Senate is at http://www.sen.ca.gov The Assembly is at: http://www.assembly.ca.gov This new website is similar in it purpose and intent to the Canadian C4LD site. Although less comprehensive it is a good model for enhancing participation though technology. This Internet Guide to California's Legislature is a resource designed to help Californians learn how the State Capitol works and how to participate in the legislative process in a meaningful way and was developed by the California Voter Foundation and the University of California at Davis. It features information on California's legislature and lobbyists with facts ranging from the basic ("How a Bill Becomes a Law") to the complex (the complete California code). According to Kim Alexander, executive director of the nonprofit California Voter Foundation, "Time, distance and understanding have for too long limited political participation in this state to only those who can afford it. The Internet provides a way for people to overcome those barriers and help level the playing field between citizens and professional lobbyists." http://www.web.net Web Networks is a nonprofit,
unionized organization which provides Internet-based services geared
to the needs of the nonprofit and social change community in Canada.
Web Networks consultant Liz Rykert and Mourn James have recently
co-authored a great resource based on their own experience working with
Canadian non-profit groups - a book called "Working together on Line"
. Details on the website.
http://www.apc.org Global Computer Communications
for Environment, Human Rights, Development & Peace The Association
for Progressive Communications (APC) is a global network of networks
whose mission is to empower and support organizations, social movements
and individuals through the use of information and communication
technologies to build strategic communities and initiatives for the purpose
of making meaningful contributions to human development, social
justice, participatory democracies and sustainable societies.Composed of
a consortium of 25 international member networks, APC offers vital links
of communication to over 50,000 NGOs, activists, educators, policy-makers,
and community leaders in 133 countries. Canadian contact point is Web Networks
listed directly above. APC member networks main purpose is to develop and
maintain the informational system that allows for geographically dispersed
groups who are working for social and environmental change to coordinate
activities on-line at a much cheaper rate than can be done by fax, telephone,
or for-profit computer networks. Links page contains Multiple Links Environmental
Directory:
http://www.empowermentresources.com/ A comprehensive website with Empowerment Resources in several areas including political empowerment resources on a range of 16 or more topics - including Activist Sites and Resources; Monitoring Corporations; Alternative Media; Human Rights; Public Interest Activism; Peace; Ecology; Feminism; Unions and Social Justice; Minority Groups; Progressive Website Hosts; Links and International Links.
http://www.well.com/user/art/ Home Page for sites on Democracy /New governance structures/new organizations includes links to The Bootstrap Institute, MCC - The Mondragon Co-operative Experience; Fast Company's significantly valuable magazine.; and an on-line book- Unorganization: Downstructuring towards collapsible corporations, a site with regular bulletins and updates.
http://libertynet.org/~edcivic/iscvhome.html c/o Ed Schwartz, edcivic@libertynet.org http://libertynet.org/ Check out "Neighborhoods Online" at http://libertynet.org/community/phila/natl.html The Institute's project with LibertyNet to support neighborhood activism. To subscribe to the Institute's international mailing list send to majordomo@civic.net with a one line message: subscribe civic-values. http://www.tc.ca/ Telecommunities Canada is an association of Canada -wide Telecommunities, like the one sponsoring this website?, that expresses the collective interests of members and provides a means for them to connect in joint action. Telecommunities Canada's primary role is to find the means of rendering local community network learning into a common knowledge base that is generally accessible to anyone who might want to use it. Community networks are grassroots organizations. Their continuing growth depends on sustaining self-organized local initiatives. Telecommunities Canada assists electronic community networks in augmenting the means available to communities to participate in and control the socio-economic and political restructuring that affects them. The website features several key articles on telecommunity related issues, CRTC Submissions, Canadian Conferences and Foreign Conferences (with some papers on-line); Regional Groups; Regulatory Agencies; Resources Books and Papers.
http://www.ns.doe.ca/ecb/acap.html This website is one example of many government sponsored programs which seek to engage the participation of concerned and involved citizens in decision making around issues which affect their lives. ACAP is one of four ecosystem management programs presently underway within Environment Canada. In addition to planning activities, ACAP assists communities in acquiring the knowledge base, the skills, and the alliances necessary to develop and implement comprehensive environmental management plans. Planning is complemented by citizenship activities, partnership activities, and technical and economic innovations. http://canada.gc.ca/govis/govis_e.html#more The scenarios are described,
in short story form, using ship metaphors: The first scenario, named Starship,
envisions a world characterized by an economic boom and the development
of a new consensus. The second scenario, named Titanic, is the other extreme,
featuring low or no economic growth, coupled with growing social fragmentation.
The third scenario, christened Bounty, combines a booming economy with
continued social fragmentation and polarization. The fourth scenario, named
Windjammer, envisions a new social consensus emerging around a low or no
growth economy (at least as conventionally measured).
This report is an invitation
for you to join this important inquiry into Canada's future. As a start,
it is an invitation to explore the scenarios developed by the roundtable,
to test them against your own experience, and to examine what they may
mean for decisions that you face in your organization, in your community
and in Canada.
Links to
Websites with Relevant Articles or Papers
Decision-Making
for a Changing World-Robert Theobald's Site
http://www.auburn.edu/tann/hazel/articles.html "Perfecting Democracy's Tools", Chapter 11 of Building a Win-Win World, from the section on "Breakthroughs and Innovations (1996). "Computers: Hardware
of Democracy", appeared in forum 70, The Management Monthly of Information
Systems (Feb. 1970/Volume 2, Number 2).
Citizens of the Electronic Village: Smartening up or dumbing down? http://www.couch.ca/1996conf.html This site contains
full papers delivered by a few of the speakers including the key
note speech by Irwin Duggan. Key Note Addresses as well as an excellent
talk by M.P. John Godfrey which hits on major issues of virtual versus
face to face democracy and cites the Community Assets work of John McKnight
and other key developments in the field.
http://www.tc.ca/ What Community Networks are all About; Electronic Future Communities; Community Networking Conference 1996 -Papers. http://www.tc.ca/allabout.html * How to Kill Community Networks. * The Human Factor in Community Networking. * Building Virtual Communities: Latino Organizations in an Urban Setting. http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/TC97/tcinfo.htm#post Feedback from Ed Schwatrz, Head of the Institute for Studies of Civic Values and Conference Keynote Speaker: http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/TC97/tcmail1.htm Ed's feedback provides a very informed, positive and illuminating global perspective on this conference and the importance of teledemocracy globally. http://canada.gc.ca/howgoc/forsey/forsey_e.html "How Canadians Govern Themselves explores Canada's parliamentary system, from the decisions made by the Fathers of Confederation, to the daily work of Members of Parliament in the Commons and Senate chambers. Useful information on Canada's Constitution, the judicial system, and provincial and municipal powers is also gathered together in this one reference book." --from the preface--  |