Links to Related Sites

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Asset-Based Community Development Institute
Established in 1995 by the Community Development Program at Northwestern's Institute for Policy Research. Its purpose is to proliferate two decades of research on capacity-building community development. To this end, a major focus of the ABCD Institute has been the production of resources and tools for community builders involved in the process of capacity-based initiatives, helping them identify, nurture, and mobilize neighborhood assets.
http://www.nwu.edu/IPR/abcd.html

Association For Community Networking (AFCN)
The AFCN is an American educational non-profit dedicated to fostering and supporting "Community Networking" which it defines as "locally-based, locally-driven communication and information systems designed to enhance community and enrich lives." Its mission is to "improve the visibility, viability and vitality of Community Networking by assisting and connecting people and organizations, building public awareness, identifying best practices, encouraging research, influencing policy, and developing products and services." http://bcn.boulder.co.us/afcn/

Canadian Council for International Co-operation (CCIC)
A coalition of Canadian voluntary organisations committed to achieving global development with social justice, human dignity, and participation for all. CCIC supports the work of its members through networking, information, training and co-ordination, and represents their interests when dealing with government and others. Over the past two years CCIC has been experimenting with public deliberation as a means to engage citizens on policy issues.
http://fly.web.net/ccic/

Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD)
A voluntary, nonprofit organisation whose mission is to develop and promote progressive social policies inspired by social justice, equality and the empowerment of individuals and communities through research, consultation, public education and advocacy.
http://www.ccsd.ca/

Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN)
Its mission is to create knowledge and lead public debate on social and economic issues important to the well being of Canadians. CPRN currently operates Three Networks – on Family, Work, and Health, as well as special corporate projects on the Nonprofit Sector, the Social Union and Policy Research.
http://www.cprn.ca/

Center for Civic Networking
The Center for Civic Networking provides a series of links and resources on civic networking, defined as the use of technology to facilitate citizen interaction on civic affairs. The site links several grassroots citizen initiatives.
http://www.civicnet.org

Center for Governmental Studies
The Center for Governmental Studies (CTG) works toward enhancing the quality and quantity of governmental information available to citizens through the use of modern technologies and expanding opportunities of citizens to participate in the elective and governmental process thus restoring public trust. CTG created the Democracy Network, the nation's first online, interactive video voters guide developed for interactive television and the Internet. CTG also established Connect LA, a project to create an online system of employment, education and health information for low income communities. Connect LA is a model of how technology can be used to initiate and support community revitalization and economic development in low-income communities.
http://www.cgs.org

Civic Network
An initiative of the Center for Civic Networking and the Institute for the Study of Civic Values which provides a collection of valuable resources for those interested in citizen participation and civic issues.
http://civic.net

Civic Practices Network (CPN)
A collaborative and non-partisan project that seeks practical methods for public problem solving in every community and institutional setting in America. Their mission is to tell the stories of civic innovation, share the practical wisdom, and exchange the most effective tools available by providing case studies, training manuals, "best practice" guides and evaluative tools.
http://www.cpn.org

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
An international alliance dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society throughout the world. Its mission is to nurture the foundation, growth, protection and resourcing of citizen action, especially in areas where participatory democracy, and freedom of association of citizens and their funds for public benefit are threatened.
http://www.civicus.org

Civnet
A web site devoted to the need for effective civic education in order to ensure that citizens are adequately informed and equipped to participate in the democratic process. The site, which includes civics resources (bibliographies, lesson plans, and links) in three languages, is supported by CIVITAS, an international consortium for civic education.
http://www.civnet.org

Clift, Steven – Public Strategies for the Online World
Steven Clift is an online strategies consultant focused on the use of the Internet in democracy. He runs the Democracies Online Newswire service.
http://www.publicus.net

NEW Commonwealth Foundation: Citizens and Governance Programme
The Citizens and Governance Programme is an initiative born of a major research and consultation study mounted by the Commonwealth Foundation in 1997-1999 called Civil Society in the New Millennium. The Citizens and Governance Programme runs from July 2000 to June 2002. http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/programmes/programme.cfm?id=46

Council for Canadian Unity
Founded in 1964 with a mandate to conduct research and studies for the purpose of educating and informing Canadians on: legal and fiscal structures, and the cultural and political nature of Canada, its provinces and its other civic and government bodies.
http://www.ccu-cuc.ca

Democratic Dialogue
Established in 1995 in the wake of the paramilitary cease-fires as a think tank geared to stimulating fresh approaches to the political problems of Northern Ireland, as well as addressing long neglected economic, social and cultural questions.
http://www.dem-dial.demon.co.uk

Dialogue Canada
Its mission is to provide all Canadians with opportunities to know each other better, acknowledge their differences, share their respective concerns, and, based on civic education, to exchange their visions of the future of the country in order to ensure its prosperous and peaceful development.
http://www.uni.ca/dialoguecanada/

eDemocracy International- Electronic Democracy Library
The library contains a selection of electronic papers and documents to assist in the development of and research on electronic democracy.
http://www.e-democracy.org/intl/library

NEW e-Government Project
This web site offers US citizens the opportunity to participate in the legislative process by contributing ideas and opinions on how Congress could help advance the cause of e-Government.
http://www.senate.gov/~gov_affairs/egov/

e-The People: America's Interactive Town Hall
A nonpartisan web service that makes it easy for people to reach over 170,000 officials in the local, state, and federal governments in the United States. E-The People is now the official interactive town hall of 400 online newspapers, televisions stations and Internet portals helping to bring government closer to the people. E-The People offers tools to start and coordinate an online petition, online political polling, payment of car fines and access to government officials via electronic letters.
http://www.e-thepeople.com

Eldis Participation Page
Eldis is a gateway to online information on development in countries of the South. Coverage includes social, economic, political and environmental issues. This particular section offers a range of materials and a search capability for public participation.
http://nt1.ids.ac.uk/eldis/pra/pra.htm

Full Circle Associates
The website of Full Circle Associates, a consulting practice based in Seattle, Washington, serves as a repository for information on online communities and "virtual facilitation."
http://www.fullcirc.com/commresources.htm

Future Search Network (previously Searchnet)
An international network dedicated to community service, colleagueship, and learning. It initiates future search conferences that enable organisations and communities to transform and sustain their capability for co-operative action.
http://www.futuresearch.net

Institute On Governance (IOG)
A nonprofit organisation founded in 1990 to promote effective governance. Current activities fall within the following themes: citizen participation; Aboriginal governance; building policy capacity; accountability and performance measurement; information and communications technology and governance; and youth and governance.
http://www.iog.ca

NEW International Teledemocracy Centre
The ITC is a multi-disciplinary research unit in the Faculty of Computing and Engineering at Napier University in Scotland. The ITC researches and applies advanced information and communication technologies to enhance and support the democratic decision-making process.
http://www.teledemocracy.org/

Inter-American Foundation (IAF)
The IAF is an independent agency of the United States federal government. In foreign assistance, the IAF works in Latin America and the Caribbean to promote equitable, responsive, and participatory self-help development. It also enters into partnerships with public- and private-sector entities to scale up support and mobilize local, national, and international resources for grassroots development.
http://www.iaf.gov/

Jefferson Center for New Democratic Processes
A nonprofit organisation dedicated to strengthening the democratic process, by providing tools for decision-makers to more fully understand what citizens want to do about key issues. The Center seeks to determine the will of an informed public and present those views clearly and actively to the individuals and organisations responsible for making policy decisions.
http://www.jefferson-center.org

Kettering Foundation
A nonprofit research foundation dedicated to researching the relationships between democracy and the public.
http://www.kettering.org

Learning Resource Network
Created and designed as a single window on learning for the federal public service in Canada. Its goal is to help users find relevant learning resources and services, to establish and maintain contact with public servants, organisations and communities interested in learning, and to create a platform for sharing best practices.
http://learnet.gc.ca

London, Scott
Scott London is the host and producer of Insight and Outlook, a cultural affairs program broadcast on radio stations in the United States and Canada, as well as Radio for Peace International. Mr. London is an associate of the Kettering Foundation, as well as an independent researcher and consultant.
http://www.west.net/~insight/london

Minnesota Citizens League
Promotes the public interest in Minnesota by involving citizens in identifying and framing critical public policy choices, forging recommendations and advocating their adoption. The Citizens League has been an active and effective public affairs research and education organisation for more than 40 years.
http://www.citizensleague.net

National Information Infrastructure Development Program (NIIFD)
The aim of the NIIFD Program is to establish and develop computer network and information services in Europe in higher and secondary education, research institutes of the academy, libraries and public collections. Furthermore the continuous and active participation in the work of international computer network organizations is also an aim.
http://www.iif.hu/

National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI)
A nonpartisan American network, supported by the Kettering Foundation, made up of educational and community organizations that deliberate about important issues in either small study groups or large community meetings. Using "issue books," National Issues Forums (NIFs) present three or four options on any given issue. http://www.nifi.org

National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE)
An independent agency of the Canadian federal government, committed to providing decision-makers and opinion leaders with reliable information and objective views on the current state of debate on the environment and the economy.
http://www.nrtee-trnee.ca

Natural Resource Management Changelinks web page on Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation
The site aims to provide a practical resource for those who work with communities (in the wider sense of the term) to help them identify and adopt more sustainable natural resource management practices. It is an on-line resource guide for those seeking to improve the use of collaborative and learning-based approaches.
http://nrm.massey.ac.nz/changelinks/

Netpower! How the Internet is Changing Politics
Describes the Internet as a political tool ushering in a new era of participatory democracy and reconnecting average citizens to the political process. Explores various examples of Internet political participation.
http://www.us.net/indc/column2.htm

NEW OECD on program on Public Management and Governance (PUMA)
PUMA studies how governments organise and manage the public sector and identifies emerging challenges that governments are likely to face. This link takes you to publications and case studies on engaging citizens.
http://www.oecd.org//puma/citizens/pubs.htm

Partnerships Online
Aims to help people use the Internet to change organisations, build partnerships, and benefit communities. It is developing a network of individuals and organisations who wish to collaborate on projects.
http://www.partnerships.org.uk

Pew Center for Civic Journalism
Created in 1993 to stimulate citizen involvement in community issues. It supports and tracks efforts to explore whether, if journalists did their job differently, citizens would do their jobs differently.
http://www.pewcenter.org

Poynter Institute for Media Studies
A school dedicated to teaching and inspiring journalists and media leaders. It promotes excellence and integrity in the practice of craft and in the practical leadership of successful businesses. It stands for a journalism that informs citizens and enlightens public discourse.
http://www.poynter.org

Public Agenda Online
A nonpartisan, nonprofit public opinion research and citizen education organisation based in New York City. Founded in 1975 to help leaders better understand the public’s point of view on major policy issues, and to help citizens better understand critical policy issues so they can make more informed and thoughtful decisions.
http://www.publicagenda.org

Public Policy Forum (PPF)
A nonpartisan, nonprofit organisation aimed at improving the quality of government in Canada through better dialogue between government, the private and the third sectors. Its research program provides a neutral base to inform collective decision-making.
http://www.ppforum.com

Public Research Secretariat (PRS)
The Policy Research Initiative (PRI) seeks to strengthen the policy research capacity in Canada. This site provides a service to the wide range of people interested and involved in public policy research and development. You can learn about the PRI and its activities, access the organizations and information that make up the world of policy research and keep connected through the PRI mailing list.
http://policyresearch.schoolnet.ca/

Regional Environmental Center
A nonpartisan, non-advocacy, not-for-profit organisation with a mission to assist in solving environmental problems in Central and Eastern Europe. The Center encourages cooperation among non-governmental organisations, governments, businesses and other environmental stakeholders, by supporting the free exchange of information and by promoting public participation in environmental decision-making.
http://www.rec.org

Rheingold, Howard
Howard Rheingold has written several books and articles about the effects of technology on the human mind, and the cultural and political implications of communication mediums.
http://www.rheingold.com

Telecommunities Canada
Established in 1994, Telecommunities Canada Inc. is a non-profit umbrella organization representing community networks, free-nets and community access centres across Canada. By promoting and supporting local community network initiatives, Telecommunities Canada works to ensure that all Canadians are able to participate in community-based communications and electronic information services. Telecommunities Canada's mission is to represent and promote the Canadian community networking movement at the national and international levels.
http://www.tc.ca

The Effects of Community Networks on Political Participation
This resource guide contains an annotated list of both on-line and print resources on the subjects of community networks and how they can be used to increase political participation in the community.
Revised site: http://php.ucs.indiana.edu/~kgregson/main_menu.html
http://php.indiana.edu/~kgregson/teledemocracy.html

Toronto Healthy City Office
Through a network of initiatives, works with people in the community, business and government to help create a high quality of life for everyone in Toronto. Current city issues include community safety and an anti-smog strategy.
http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/healthycity

Treasury Board (Canada)
This particular page of the Treasury Board’s website offers the Consultation Guidelines for Managers in the Federal Public Service. It is the policy of the Government of Canada to pursue and to promote consultation with Canadians in the development of public policy and in the design of programs and services.
http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/ri-qr/index.html

UNCHS (Habitat) - Best Practices Database
This searchable database contains over 650 proven solutions to the common social, economic and environmental problems of an urbanizing world. It demonstrates the practical ways in which communities, governments and the private sector are working together to eradicate poverty, provide shelter, protect the environment and support economic development.
www.bestpractices.org

UNCHS (Habitat) - Best Practices & Local Leadership Programme
A global network of institutions dedicated to the identification and exchange of successful solutions for sustainable development. The BLP partners' network identifies initiatives in such areas as housing, urban development and governance, the environment, economic development, social inclusion, crime prevention, poverty reduction, women, youth, infrastructure and social services.
www.sustainabledevelopment.org

Unit for Internet Studies (UIS)
Dedicated to the analysis of the Internet and its implications for international relations in theory and practice. The UIS aims at being pluralistic and truly international in perspective with no specific ties to any geographical region or political views. This site is designed with the principal aim of collating research and researchers in this domain, to generate debate and to provide a lively platform for the mutual exchange of ideas.
http://www.internetstudies.org

US Agency for International Development (USAID)
This section of the USAID site offers articles and case studies dealing with public participation.
http://www.usaid.gov/about/part_devel/docs.html#partpract

NEW Winona's Online Democracy Initiative
Winona Online Democracy is an ongoing, community-wide discussion via email about issues that affect life in Winona, Minnesota, USA. Its goal is to empower, inform, and engage the citizenry by creating an ongoing community-wide discussion of local public issues.
http://onlinedemocracy.winona.org/

World Bank Participation Sourcebook
Presents the new direction the World Bank is taking in its support of participation. It recognizes that there is a diversity of stakeholders for every activity they undertake, and that those people affected by development interventions must be included in the decision-making process.
www.worldbank.org/wbi/sourcebook/sbhome.htm