In Print Vol. 30, No. 2, September 2002
Participatory Workshops: A sourcebook of 21 sets of ideas and activities by Robert Chambers is for those who work with others in programs of participatory learning and change. e.g. facilitators, trainers, teachers and presenters. The material reflects decades of experience around the world and ranges from the practical (how to form and seat groups) to the bizarre - 21 horrors in participatory workshops. For details, visit www.earthscan.co.uk. Published by Earthscan Publications Ltd., London and Sterling VA, 220 pp., 3002.
Stakeholder Responsibility is a special issue of the Journal of Corporate Citizenship. Key subjects include: lessons for managers, developing multi-stakeholder learning dialogues, the drivers of stakeholder engagement and stakeholder discourse. For more, visit www.greenleaf-publishing.com. Issue 6, Summer 3002.
The quarterly Kettering Review (Vol. 20, No. 1; Summer 3002), whose theme is: "Deliberating on Terrorism", includes a thoughtful analysis of "The Public" and the use/abuse of public opinion polls. "Coming to Terms with Terrorism" reviews the U.S. context before Sept. 11, the rise of radical Islamic terrorist groups and the root causes of anti-Americanism based on opposition to modernization, secularism, global capitalism, consumerism, widespread poverty and the lack of economic opportunities. Islamic culture is seen to be under attack by America's foreign policy, its military and economic power, the insidious influence of its culture and its support of Israel and the Saudi royal family. "Democracy in the Face of Terrorism" reflects on the Vietnam experience, notes that history ignored doesn't vanish, proposes American objectives in this new era, notes John Dewey's: "democratic ends require democratic means" and concludes "With strong resolve, smart thinking and personal action, in part the meaning of September 11 can become the attainment of more fully democratic, pluralistic, deliberative and free lives throughout the world if we want it. Before September 11, there may have been acceptable alternatives. There are none now." The Review is "dedicated to improving the quality of public life in the American democracy." For more information and to order, visit www.kettering.org.
A recent survey across Canada asked: "How much responsibility do you think the U.S., with its policies and actions, bears for the terrorist attacks on them?" All = 15%; Some = 69%; None = 14%; D.K. = 2%. Has Canada done enough to support the U.S. in the war on terrorism? Yes = 61%; No = 24%; Too much = 14%. (G&M, 7/9/02) However, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien has created a storm by stating that the U.S. and other western countries must take some of the blame for last year's terrorist attacks. (G&M, 12/9/02) The Globe and Mail's special 20-page section: "Remember, Reflect, Renew" on Sept. 7 provided much food for thought. Later, Thomas Homer-Dixon, director of the Centre for the Study of Peace and Conflict at the University of Toronto, calls for "a dramatic improvement in the average citizen's knowledge of current affairs and of the technical and scientific facts . . ." with a view to informed public opinion and deliberation. (G&M, 11/7/02)
The Kettering Foundation's Connections (Vol. 13, Issue 1; June 3002) reports on KF's international programs, especially through the application of "sustained dialogue". This is a heavy-duty process designed to prevent violent, or potentially violent, conflict when trust is absent, interests are opposed and third-party intervention is unacceptable. Examples are given from: 40 years of Russian:U.S. dialogue in the Dartmouth Conferences, resolving civil conflict in Tajikistan from 1993 - 3000+; 15 years of China:U.S. dialogue. "Building the People: the Civil-Economic Connection" reviews the connection between community and economic development. "Growing a Culture of Deliberation in Nigeria" describes increasing citizen participation for policy development amongst the three ethnic groups and different religious and legal systems. For a free copy, fax 937-435-7367 or leave an email message through www.kettering.org.
"Engaging Citizen Participation in Restorative Justice" describes a national consultation, supported by the federal Solicitor General's Department, about the application in Canada of the recently approved UN Basic Principles for the Use of Restorative Justice Programmes in Criminal Matters. A panel has been established, discussion papers are being prepared and a multi-faceted electronic Dialogue Group is operating through seven listservs. For details, and to participate, visit www.restorativejustice.ca. Published in Interaction, (Vol. 16, No. 1; Summer 3002). Visit www.crnetwork.ca. "A Struggle of Principle: Reflections on Culturally Respectful Conflict Resolution" by David Didluck, a treaty negotiator, reviews the Australian experience in treaty negotiation which, he says, has a more encompassing scope than the B.C. treaty process. See in Interaction (Vol. 15, No. 1; Spring 3002). Visit www.crnetwork.ca.
"Citizen values assessment" by Annelies Stolp et al. is a process developed in the Netherlands Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management. It enables citizens to assess their judgments about their living environment which may be affected by a proposed project. Data generated are used in environmental and social impact assessments. The methodology is described through a case study about the redesign of an inner city highway. See in Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, Vol. 20, No. 1; March 3002). Published by the International Association for Impact Assessment; visit www.iaia.org.
"Citizens and Public Choice" is the focus of Connections (Vol. 12, No. 2; May 3002) published by the Kettering Foundation. "The Habit of Public Deliberation" reflects 20 years of research into public decision-making. Deliberation is defined as weighing carefully (with others who may have different views) the costs and consequences of the major options for responding to a common problem. Four research options have been addressed: the potential of large national organizations to foster deliberation; the ability of community-based organizations to reach out to the host of unorganized citizens; the capacity of news organizations to foster deliberation; the nature of how local issues become framed constructively for public deliberation. Major articles are: "The Grassroots Connection: A Key Ingredient in Building a Democratic Public", "Partnering with Large National Organizations: a Win-Win Proposition", "Local Issue Framing: Making a Difference in Community Life", "News Organizations as Partners in Deliberation: Tapping Democratic Potential", "A Question for the Public to Decide: What to Do about Money and Politics", "They Give but They also Take: Voters Muddle State's Finances". For a free copy, fax 937-435-7367 or visit www.kettering.org.
The Gallon Environmental Letter (Vol. 8, No. 18; August 28/02) has a number of sections on the Kyoto Protocol and its implications for Canada, given the Prime Minister's intention to sign it before the end of the year. Corporate corruption is the theme of Vol. 6. No. 15 (July 18/02). For further information, email cibe@web.net.
The International Council on Mining and Metals newsletter, "dedicated to economic progress, environmental protection and social responsibility", Vol. 1, No. 4 (July3002), contains the ICMM's "Toronto Declaration". Its preamble endorses the industry's need for community support, respect and engagement. It continues by recognizing: "Constructive and value-adding engagement among constituencies at the local, national and global levels is essential." It concludes with a commitment to "Engage in constructive dialogue with constituencies." Review the Declaration at www.icmm.com.
Sustainable Development Strategies: A Resource Book was prepared by the OECD and UNDP and includes a section on "Participation for sustainable development". It sets out principles, ideas on process and methods and how these might be used, based on experience in developed and developing countries. For details, visit www.earthscan.co.uk.
American Society in the Age of Terrorism by Amitai Etzioni, founder of the Communitarian Network, is a report based on extensive sociological data. Some findings are that Americans have become more: committed to family, spiritual, tolerant of people who are different (including Muslim Americans), interested in volunteerism and interested in nation and community. For details, visit www.gwu.edu/~ccps
Breaking New Ground: Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development is a report on the MMSD Project which describes the most controversial problems of the minerals industry and an Agenda for Change to improve the sector's environmental and social performance. For details, visit www.earthprint.com.
Civic Literacy: How Informed Citizens Make Democracy Work by Henry Milner argues that the knowledge and capacity of citizens to make sense of their political world is a better basis than "social capital" to understand the decline in citizen involvement in civic life and elections. He also sets out a series of policies to improve the situation, linked to the media, adult and civic education and more informed partisan debates. Published by University Press of New England, 256 pp., 3002; distributed in Canada by UBC Press. For details, visit www.earthprint.com.
"Cutting Edge Knowledge Pack on Gender and Cultural Change" includes case studies and tools to foster cultural change and reduce north-south power imbalances. It was developed at BRIDGE - Gender and Development Information at the Institute of Development Studies, of the University of Sussex. Visit www.ids.ac.uk/bridge to review and download free.
"Ottawa readies for growth" describes the views of the chief planner for the City of Ottawa who thinks planners can still do a better job of talking to the public. "If we are successful, then the public will begin to realize that the linkages do exist (between planning, people, the environment, culture and the economy)". His thoughts are reinforced by David Palubeski, president of the Canadian Institute of Planners: "The most important challenge the profession faces is one of communicating with the public and engaging the public in the planning process earlier. It's about making the process understandable to them so they realize if they do make the effort to get involved, the result will be much better. Planners have to deal with the politics of place." G&M, 5/8/02
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