In Print Vol. 30, No. 1, June 2002
A chapter on Local Communities and Mines includes economic, social, cultural, political and environmental perspectives. A section on Maximizing Mining's Contribution to Communities covers a dozen elements, including Community Participation in Decision-making, Improved Social Impact Assessment and Conflict and Dispute Resolution. A concluding section treats Integrated Impact Assessment for SD, Community SD Plans and Roles and Responsibilities. Published by the International Institute for Environment and Development, London, March 2002. To review the Final Report, visit www.iied.org/mmsd or fax 4420-7831-6189. The recent 3-day Global Mining Initiative Conference in Toronto reviewed the MMSD report, attracting 570 people from 44 countries. Declarations made by international mining and environmental leaders represent, I believe, a global breakthrough in Sustainable Development.
Searching for Certainty: Inside the New Canadian Mindset by pollster Darryl Bricker and political columnist Ed Greenspon reports on the new economic, social and cultural Canada which emerges from globalization and technological innovation, leading to subtle shifts in approaches to work, healthcare and education. Three conclusions: Canadians are less trusting of major institutions - government, medicine, education and the workplace; improved education and the information age lead more people to make individual decisions; effective healthcare and education systems are a top priority. Others note that it portrays Canada with "a resilient culture and refocused core values". Published by Federal Publications, Toronto; 340 pp.; 2001. For more information, see www.fedpubs.com or fax 514-954-1635.
In the Canadian federal election of 2000, only 61% of those on the voting list voted. Four political scientists note that the decline occurred especially in those born after 1970 who had only high school education or less - the post-Generation X cohort. They seem to be less informed and less engaged. (Jeffrey Simpson, Globe and Mail, May 18/02)
"Strengthening Environmental Assessment for Canadians" is a report by the Minister to Parliament with three major goals: a certain, predictable and timely process, high quality environmental assessments and more meaningful public participation. This last was a strong message from a preceding public consultation program. A commitment is made to ensure citizens have the information they need, better incorporating of aboriginal perspectives and expanding opportunities for participation. For the report and details on the public consultation phase, visit the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency site at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/0007/index_a.htm.
Voluntary Environmental Agreements: Process, Practice and Future Use by Patrick ten Brink of the Institute for European Environmental Policy describes a new opportunity for stakeholder participation. Although many VEAs are between business and government, case studies in this book include multi-stakeholder partnerships and union participation; there is a global range of cases. Greenleaf Publishing, UK; 563 pp.; 2002 For more, visit www.greenleaf-publishing.com/catalogue/volun.htm or fax Samantha Self at 44 (0) 114-282-3476.
"The Anti-Retailer: Vancouver's Mountain Equipment Co-op succeeds in spite of itself" tells the story of some students at the University of British Columbia who, in 1971, set up a co-operative with a $5.00 membership fee; it now has 1.6 million members with sales of $154 million in six stores across the country to Halifax. And the membership fee is still $5.00. Strong environmental and social values permeate the corporate culture; 60% of sales are from items designed in-house. MEC's goals include: "to prove that we can be more environmentally and socially responsible and still be a viable business" and "to work more mindfully towards making positive changes in the world" e.g. urging the federal government to endorse the Kyoto accord. Another example of public participation - agreed? Maclean's, April 29/02, pp. 31-32.
Urban Issues, the Spring newsletter of the Urban Resources Initiative, includes "Agents of Change", a case study of collaboration amongst Science, Community and Design, and "A Neighborhood Summit: How people positively affect their communities". For details, visit www.yale.edu/uri or fax 203-432-5556.
Livable Cities? Urban Struggles for Livelihood and Sustainability is edited by Peter Evans and focuses on the urban politics of environmental sustainability in East Asia, Europe and Latin America. Key chapters include: Collective Action towards a Sustainable City, Community-driven Regulation and Political Strategies for More Livable Cities. University of California Press; 290 pp.; 2002. Fore more information, visit www.ucpress.edu/books or fax 510-642-1144.
Earthscan Reader on NGO Management edited by Michael Edwards and Alan Fowler, is a guide for NGO leaders and also indicates why NGOs are a growing force transforming global politics and economics; its focus is on development organizations working on issues of poverty and injustice, but it is relevant for all NGOs. Major sections: Visions, Values and Roles; Strategy, Scaling-up and Advocacy; Developing the Organization; Strengthening Governance and Accountability; Organizing for Good Development Practice: Participation, Empowerment, Partnering and Capacity-building; Measuring Achievement; Becoming a Learning Organization; Mobilizing Resources and Sustaining the Organization; Dealing with Gender; Human Resources. Published by Earthscan Books, London; 478 pp.; 2002. For details, visit www.earthscan.co.uk or fax 44 (0) 20-7278-1142.
Citizens' Hall: making local democracy work by André Carrell is a rallying cry and practical guide for cities and small towns to shake off the yoke of federal and provincial governments and assert themselves. Citizens need creative new strategies to expand their power. Published by Between the Lines Books, Toronto; 166 pp.; 2001. For more information, visit www.btlbooks.com or fax 416-535-1484
The Coop Alternative: Civil Society and the Future of Public Services, edited by John Restakis and Evert A. Lindquist, responds to the massive changes in the role of governments and the delivery of public services during the last decade. The co-operative movement is one option to bring alternatives and new perspectives to public service delivery. Published by the Institute for Public Administration of Canada, Toronto; 184 pp.; 2001. More information at www.ipaciapc.ca or fax 416-924-4992.
Participation Quarterly (Fourth Quarter 2001) is the newsletter of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2). Current articles include: "Applying Tribal Social and Cultural Controls to Waste Stewardship" by Kimberly TallBear and two applications for the annual IAP2 Core Values Award, one about the work of the B.C. Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and the other: "The Central Role of Public Participation in Formulating South Africa's Coastal Policy". For more information, visit www.iap2.org of fax 303-458-0002.
Participation: the New Tyranny? edited by Bill Cooke and Uma Kothari of the Institute for Development Policy and Management at the University of Manchester tackles the dissonance between the "received wisdom about the overwhelming benefits of participation in development" with criticisms that, in practice, it is often ritualistic, manipulative and harmful. The book aims to provide more rigorous and critical insights into participatory development. Three core questions are raised:
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