Resources > Annotated Bibliography
Alberta Community Development, Human Rights and Citizenship and the Department of Canadian Heritage, Alberta District. (2006) Pathways to Change: Facilitating the Full Participation of Diversity Groups in Canadian Society.
October 23, 2007. http://tprc.alberta.ca/educationfund/priorities/docs/P2CTOOL.pdf
This tool has been developed to help organizations to identify where their projects fit and where they need to advance their work within the broader scheme to combat prejudice and racism, foster systemic change, and ensure that all residents of Canada can fully participate in and benefit from the opportunities enjoyed by most Canadians.1 As shown in the Model, there is more than one route to these ends, but all pathways lead to full civic engagement, especially for those which have traditionally been denied access to power and opportunity. The Model summarizes many smaller steps along the way, which are detailed in five strategies that link to the overall Pathways to Change Model. The strategies will help organizations to clearly delineate what their project seeks to achieve in both the short and longer terms; what will be different at the conclusion of the project and, hopefully, over time; the pathway by which the longer-term outcomes will be achieved; how the project has been conceptualized in an “if-then” format; and which indicators could be used to identify progress toward the desired outcomes.
This tool was developed for the Alberta Community Development, Human Rights and Citizenship and the Department of Canadian Heritage, Alberta District by Merrill Cooper, Guyn Cooper Research Associates.
Berger, I. et al (2005). Centre for Voluntary Sector Studies: Ethnicity, Voluntary Behaviour, and Social Integration
January 7, 2007 <http://www.ryerson.ca/cvss/WP29.pdf>
Using data from the Ethnic Diversity Survey, this paper explores the relationship between volunteering and social integration and the moderating influence of ethnic subgroup identity and length of time in Canada on this relationship.
In the article's Discussion and Conclusion part, the authors indicate that the conceptual framework for this paper suggests that volunteering has an influence on social integration. Their results provide support for the proposed model in that they show that volunteering enhances social success for Canadians in general, and particularly first generation Canadians and Chinese Canadians. In addition, another feature associated with the development of social capital, notably generalized trust, is also positively associated with social success. The authors further indicate that the outcome variable used in this study represents a very narrow, economic definition of social integration and that, while this is consistent with some conceptualizations, there is no consensus in the literature on the definition and use of the positively valued term 'integration'. Some studies define successful integration in socioeconomic terms, others refer to social and psychological measures, or institutional measures, and still others, use measures of demographic living patterns. At another level, some studies refer to integration of a whole group or cohort, while other studies examine success from an individual perspective. Clearly, voluntary sector engagement has a role to play in successful social integration, but a full understanding of that role awaits further theoretical and empirical attention.
Berger, I. et al (2005). Centre for Voluntary Sector Studies: Ethnicity, Social Cohesion and Social Integration in Toronto, Canada.
October 3, 2007. < http://www.ryerson.ca/cvss/WP32.pdf>
Using data from the 2002 Canadian Ethnic Diversity Survey this paper explores the nature of voluntary sector engagement across select ethnic groups in Toronto. The focus is on Toronto because according to the latest statistics it is the most diverse city in the world (Statistics Canada). The report looks at how voluntary engagement evolves over generations in Canada. The results of this survey indicate that engagement in the voluntary sector certainly has a role to play in dimensions of social cohesion and conclude from the analysis that engagement in the voluntary sector is associated with social cohesion, but whether or not this cohesion results in positive or negative social outcomes depends on whether the cohesion is of a bonding or bridging variety. The results also provide considerable challenge for voluntary sector organizations.
Berger, I. and Azaria, J. (2006). Visible Minority Status and Philanthropy.
October 3, 2007. <http://www.ryerson.ca/cvss/WP25.pdf>
Recognition of the multi-cultural nature of the Canadian population has led many companies across a wide array of business domains to consider ways of reaching beyond their traditional bases of support to target hitherto untapped ethnic communities. Market conditions within the voluntary sector are pushing nonprofits along this same path. Unfortunately, there is no systematic Canadian research on the attitudes, social norms, benefits sought, expectations, opportunities, experiences or behaviours of ethnic communities in the voluntary sector. This paper contributes to this gap by looking at philanthropic behaviour by visible minority status.
Canadian Ethnocultural Council (2005). Capacity Building and Strengthening for Ethnocultural Communities: A Toolkit for Trainers.
November 9, 2007. http://www.ethnocultural.ca/capacity_building/toolkit/
This tool kit was produced by the Canadian Ethnocultural Council in the year 2005. It is a guide which can be used to inform ethno-cultural communities about what it takes to organize, sustain, and develop in the ever-growing voluntary sector. The tool kit is designed to help individuals who are working or volunteering in ethno-cultural or multicultural organizations. The specific themes and issues in the tool kit were developed through interviews, a needs assessment study, and information gathered at a conference on “Building Strong Ethnocultural Communities” held in October 2002.
The tool kit contains units on governance, volunteering, advocacy, funding, youth involvement, conflict resolution and media relations. Although each unit could be a workshop, the tool kit is designed for a two-day training session. It uses case histories, examples, information from experts who have worked with ethno-cultural communities, and data gathered from participants of the training sessions held across Canada.
Community Foundations Canada (2006). Unsettled: Legal and policy Barriers for Newcomers to Canada.
October 3, 2007. < http://www.cfc-fcc.ca/doc/LegalPolicyBarriers.pdf>
This study published by CFC and the Law Commission of Canada focuses on how Canadian social policy makes it harder for immigrants to settle here, even though they are more educated and more skilled than their predecessors. The study recommends ways for all sectors to work together to help immigrants thrive, with specific policy and program recommendations. It also provides a brief outline and analysis of the legal and policy barriers to immigrant settlement in Canada in the short, intermediate, and long-term and points out immigration as a key component in the development of Canadian economic, social, and political fabric and the reliance on immigration for population and labour market growth. As such, it stresses the need to ensure that newcomers are able to utilize the skills and resources they bring with them – for economic gain, for humanitarian reasons, and to continue enriching Canadian culture and society. The difficulties newcomers face as part of their settlement experience must be recognized as Canadian problems rather than as “immigrant problems;” and they must be addressed and eliminated to the greatest extent possible. This research was undertaken in order to better understand these problems and their possible solutions. Specifically, it identifies legal and policy barriers to the settlement of newcomers to Canada, including immigrants, refugees, refugee claimants, and others.
CPRN (2007). Looking down the road: leadership for Canada’s changing communities.
October 3, 2007. <http://www.cprn.org/documents/46923_en.pdf>
When discussing issues such as economic development, social justice, civic education, population health or overall quality of life – questions of community and the resources it offers are never far behind. Community Foundations of Canada is in the process of examining how it can help “level the playing field” for all Canadians by tackling the root causes of social problems. This document explains the challenges facing communities and goes on to encourage a wide ranging conversation on how to develop communities’ capacity to respond. It puts forward the notion that success will depend largely on the quality of leadership and the ability of people and institutions to work together. Where once provincial and federal governments would have taken an interest in solving local problems – today, it argues, is less likely. This means that communities will have to lead: defining the problem, mobilizing action and creating opportunities for senior governments to become part of the solution.
Developing a Typology of the Voluntary Health Sector in Canada: Definition and Classification Issues.
October 3, 2007. <http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/vs-sb/pdf/typology_full_e.pdf>
The development of an understanding of the role that voluntary health sector organizations play in Canadian society is hampered by the lack of a common language to describe the voluntary/nonprofit sector as a whole and the lack of agreement about which dimensions of the sector are most important for researchers to focus upon. This paper is intended to begin addressing the need for more clarity in terminology regarding the voluntary/nonprofit sector and proposes an initial classificatory framework for organizing investigations into the role that voluntary health organizations play in Canadian society. This paper has two main components. First, it reviews and discusses the variety of labels that have been used to describe voluntary/nonprofit organizations (e.g., nonprofit, not-for-profit, voluntary, social economy) and proposes a label and definitional framework to use in the larger project. Second, it reviews a variety of classification systems that have been used to organize information about voluntary/nonprofit sector organizations as well as some useful principles that may be used to guide decisions about the suitability of any given classification system.
Galabuzi, Grace-Edward and Teelucksingh, Cheryl (2005). Working Precariously: The impact of race and immigrants status on employment opportunities and outcomes in Canada.
October 3, 2007. <http://www.socialjustice.org/uploads/pubs/WorkingPrecariously.pdf>
This research draws attention to racial discrimination in employment in Canada, and also discusses the impact on the status of racialized groups in the Canadian labour market. Racial discrimination occurs in Canada in at least two forms, economic discrimination, (when employers make generalized assumptions about the worth of racialized employees), and exclusionary discrimination (when members of a racialized group are not hired, paid equally or promoted regardless of their skills and experience). Recognizing the growth of the racialized population of Canada, the report emphasizes the concern about hierarchical structures affecting the distribution of opportunity in the labour market and argues that this growth in the racialized population makes the issue of racial discrimination one of great importance. If the racialized and immigrant population of Canada do not have equal access to the labour market, Canada will not reap the benefits of the potential of this growing proportion of its population.
Hyndman, Brian. (2006) Inclusion: A New Approach to Public Health Practice.
October 3, 2007. <http://www.oiln.ca/documents/OILN%20InclusionPolicyPaper.doc>
The following document illustrates the ways in which inclusive approaches to addressing public health issues are making a positive contribution to the health and well-being of Ontario residents. Developed for the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) by the Ontario Inclusion Learning Network, and a partnership of health and social service organizations dedicated to promoting inclusion, the document provides a practical working definition of inclusion that can serve as the basis for the planning and implementation of inclusive approaches to addressing health priorities.
Kataoka. S. & Magnusson, W. (2007). Settling the Unsettled: Migrants, Municipalities and Multilevel Governance in British Columbia.
October 3, 2007. <http://ppm-ppm.ca/Papers/KataokaMagnusson2007.pdf>
In Canada, there have been efforts to devolve responsibility for immigrant and refugee settlement onto the provinces and thence onto civic agencies, mostly in the non-profit sector. The municipalities per se have often been left out of the policy loop, by their own choice or otherwise. The effects of this have not been assessed. The present study focuses on four municipalities in British Columbia, including the largest (the City of Vancouver), one of the most diverse (Surrey), an old, relatively white community (Victoria), and a rural area (Alberni-Clayoquot). The authors interviewed officials with the immigrant and refugee settlement agencies, municipalities, school boards, health authorities, economic development commissions, and senior government agencies in these four areas in order to develop a portrait of immigrant-settlement policy-making at the local level for purposes of comparison with three other provinces (Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia) and five other policy domains. This is in the context of the largest-ever study of multilevel governance in Canada. Their results reveal the confusions implicit in the concept of immigrant settlement policy (who counts as an immigrant? what’s involved in settling? what are the objectives of policy?), the unreality of gestures at decentralization (off-loading responsibilities while disempowering local agencies), the perverse effects of the new public management (setting agencies in competition with one another and discouraging horizontal collaboration), and the abstraction of high-level policy from on-the-ground problems (such as unemployment, racism, and spousal violence).
Kretzmann, John P. and McKnight, John L (1993) Building Communities from the Inside Out – A Path towards Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Asset.
Building Communities from the Inside Out is a new guide to "asset-based community development." Authors John Kretzmann and John McKnight summarize lessons learned by studying successful community--building initiatives in hundreds of neighbourhoods across the United States.
The book outlines in simple, "neighbourhood--friendly" terms what local communities can do to start their own journey down the path of asset--based development: How communities can rediscover and "map” all of their assets; How they can combine and mobilize these rediscovered strengths to build stronger, more self--reliant and powerful communities; How "outsiders" in government or the philanthropic sector can contribute sensitively and effectively to the process of asset--based development. This guide will be helpful to local community leaders, leaders of local associations and institutions, government officials, and leaders in the philanthropic and business communities who wish to support effective community--building strategies.
Although the book was written based on experiences in the United States, the content could be relevant to big cities in Canada. You can read a brief description of the book as well as information to order it at Introduction to "Building Communities from the Inside Out." Or download it at http://www.northwestern.edu/ipr/publications/community/introd-building.html
Maxwell, Glynis (2007). Respect All Voices: Neighbourhood Councils as a Tool for Building Social Inclusion.
October 3, 2007. <http://inclusivecities.ca/publication/reports/2006/burlington-report.pdf.>
This paper provides an overview of some matters for consideration which can be used not only in developing neighbourhood councils, but also may be useful in ensuring that good process is followed in other more traditional forms of community engagement, such as advisory committees and public consultations. From the work of Inclusive Cities Canada: A Cross-Canada Civic Initiative (ICC), it is clear that residents are looking for opportunities to engage more deeply in civic processes, and that civic engagement is a key dimension of social inclusion. The ICC cross-Canada report, Meeting the Civic Challenges of Social Inclusion: Cross-Canada Findings and Priorities for Action, notes that municipal governments have dual roles as both public service providers and local democracies, and that this has implications for creating inclusive communities. Most jurisdictions in Canada practise some form of citizen consultation, whether mandated by legislation or otherwise. However, as suggested in the UN-HABITAT definition of the inclusive city, such mechanisms should advance the principles of equity, universal ability to participate, empowerment, and participatory planning and decision-making. Community consultations and advisory committees, while well-meaning, often do not go far enough to reflect these principles. Different models of community engagement may be appropriate for different cities at different times. However, to allow meaningful participation, community-building and the development of civic skills, not all community engagement can take place in a forum that spans an entire city. Recognizing that cities are made up of neighbourhoods, and providing meaningful participation for those neighbourhoods, requires incorporating into municipal government a human-scale, geographically-based body in which individuals can participate.
Norquay, Rob (2004). Immigrant Identity and the Nonprofit: A case study of the Afghan Women’s Organization.
October 2, 2007. <http://ceris.metropolis.net/virtual%20library/community/2004%20CWPs/cwp29_Norquay1.pdf>
This paper will be of interest to researchers focusing on immigrant identity theory and its application to actual lived experience. The paper functions on two levels. First, it attempts to “bring theory to life” by using a case study approach with women connected as staff, volunteers, and clients involved with a Toronto-based community service agency, the Afghan Women’s Organization (AWO). Using both assimilationist and retentionist approaches, the paper creates a dialogue between these theories and the lived experience of seven Afghan Muslim women. Second, the paper investigates the ways in which this nonprofit organization has leveraged Citizenship and Immigration funding, to deliver assimilationist services such as English language acquisition to a multi-ethnic client base, and created spaces for retentionist activities for women and youth. The paper also examines a number of themes that developed during the course of the interviews, including: Afghan ethnic identity in Afghanistan and its ‘translation’ in Canada; cultural gaps experienced by Afghan Canadian youth as a result of the Canadian public school socialization processes; transnational identity and an exploration of these women’s identities centred in their roles as wives and mothers and their new roles serving their community.
Omidvar, Ratna and Richmond, Ted (2003). Immigrant settlement and social inclusion in Canada.
October 3, 2007. < http://www.maytree.com/PDF_Files/OmidvarRichmond.pdf>
Canada is experiencing serious and increasing difficulties in making full use of the skills and talents of newcomers in both the economic sphere and in public life in general. Simultaneously, immigrant and refugee communities and their spokespersons are expressing a growing sense of frustration, even despair, at the barriers they encounter to full participation in all domains of Canadian life. This paper is an attempt to bring together these two important issues and to pose the following questions. What does the concept of social inclusion offer for a better understanding and ultimately a better resolution of the problems of immigrant and refugee settlement in Canada today? More specifically, does
the concept of social inclusion offer new perspectives and help us formulate improved policies in the vital area of immigrant settlement?
Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (2005) When Services Are Not Enough: The Role of Immigrant and Newcomer Service Organizations in Fostering Community Leadership Development,
October 23, 2007. http://www.ocasi.org/downloads/OCASI_Leadership_Research_2005.pdf
Combining a literature review, a survey of 12 agencies serving immigrants in Toronto, five focus groups held between October 2003 and November 2004, and key informant interviews, this study aims to gain a better understanding of what community leadership is and how it manifests itself in society, and to explore and document the role of immigrant-serving agencies in promoting community leadership development that
fosters participation and inclusion at different sites of civil society. The report showcases nine projects, programs, services, and partnerships in areas such as mental health, social recreation, education, employment, political life, civic engagement, and social planning, which offer insight into the innovation required to address basic issues of community participation and leadership development in the context of broader society.
Ornstein, Michael (2006) Ethno-Racial Groups in Toronto, 1971-2001: A Demographic and Socio-Economic Profile. October 23, 2007.
October 23, 2007. http://www.isr.yorku.ca/download/Ornstein--Ethno-Racial_Groups_in_Toronto_1971-2001.pdf
This report from the Institute for Social Research at York University reveals that all 20 of the poorest ethno-racial groups in Toronto are non-European. The report demonstrates that poverty in Toronto is highly racialized and that the economic gap between members of European and non-European ethno-racial groups has been increasing over the past 30 years. The report, Ethno-Racial Groups in Toronto, 1971-2001: A Demographic and Social Profile, conducts a comparative analysis of the Statistics Canada census data for the Toronto area.
"As the population from non-European groups in Canada has increased from about four per cent in 1971 to about 40 per cent in 2001, the racialization of poverty has increased," says Ornstein, “This research reveals entire communities where the average income is very low and many, many people live in poverty.”
Ornstein continues, “For groups with 20 or 25 per cent of people below the poverty line, we have to think in structural terms: about kids not completing high school, the low level of the minimum wage, the expense of good daycare, the problems of finding a job that uses their skills and credentials, the very high cost of housing and lack of social housing, and the effects of discrimination."
Analysis of the census data reveals that 40 per cent of African ethno-racial group members lived below the poverty line in 2001, compared to about 30 per cent of the members of the Arab and East Asian groups, and 20 per cent of the Aboriginal, South Asian, East Asian, Caribbean, and South and Central American groups. By comparison, only 10 per cent of European group members were below the poverty line, and for some European groups the figure was only about five per cent. These statistics alone only begin to describe the story. Ornstein notes that "because the low income cut-off figure does not account for Toronto's very high housing costs, these numbers, if anything, underestimate the extent of poverty."
The research is based on the detailed information collected every five years from the randomly selected one-fifth of all Canadian households who receive the "long form" census questionnaire. In total, the study covers 113 ethno-racial groups, subdivided into eight global regions, of which 78 are single nationalities. The report also provides detailed information on the demographic characteristics of ethno-racial groups, including their population growth since 1971, and their age composition, immigration language use, education, and employment.
Rabbani, Roya (2004. An accessible, equitable, and health-promoting approach to voluntarism.
October 3, 2007. <http://www.ohpe.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=242&Itemid=78>
The trends in voluntarism have changed within the last century due to the socio-economic and political nature of our communities. From the early to late 20th century there was a move from disorganized and individual-based charity to more organized and state-based social welfare and then to a combination of state-based, volunteer-based, and community-based interventions. (Graff, 1998; Gordon and Neal, 1997) This last trend mixes state and voluntary organizations with people's involvement in making decisions and taking care of their own needs. More and more people are developing, revitalizing, and joining groups that have components of decision making, action taking, and friend making.
Reitz, Jeffrey G. & Banerjee, Rupa (2006). Racial inequality, social cohesion and policy issues in Canada.
October 2, 2007. <http://www.irpp.org/books/archive/AOTS3/reitz.pdf >
When diversity results in inequality, it may undermine the sense of fairness and inclusion among individuals and groups. Racial diversity may also weaken the commonality of values, commitments and social relations among individuals and groups, thereby affecting their capacity to cooperate in the pursuit of common objectives. Each dimension is important in its own right, and they may have a combined effect on social cohesion. Given the long history of ethnic and linguistic diversity in the Canadian population, both issues have always been of great significance. This chapter examines evidence of racial inequality and discrimination and considers the relation to the social integration of racial minorities in Canada. In doing so, the authors have used data from Statistics Canada’s landmark Ethnic Diversity Survey (EDS) conducted in 2002. This survey is considered the best source of information on the social integration of minorities yet produced in Canada, partly because it focus primarily on intergroup relations. In addition, the survey’s large sample permits analysis of specific minority groups and of the emerging Canadian-born generation of minorities.
Robinson, Pamela (2005). Civic engagement and the City of Toronto.
October 2, 2007. < http://www.toronto.ca/governingtoronto/pdf/robinson.pdf>
In September 2005, the Governing Toronto Advisory Panel requested the completion of a research report with two objectives: An assessment of the current modes of citizen involvement and engagement in decision making at the City of Toronto; and the Identification and analysis of practices that should be considered by the Panel in its deliberations. This research was intended to help inform the Panel’s findings reported to Council on governance issues related to the new City of Toronto Act. The purpose of this research was not to provide an academic literature review of citizen engagement theory but rather to begin to assemble an overview of how the City of Toronto currently interprets the notion of civic engagement and to offer suggestions for actions that might enrich an interpretation to allow for more citizen and local government interactions.
Saloojee, Anver (2002). Inclusion and Exclusion: A Framework of Analysis for Understanding Political Participation by Members of Racialized and Newcomer Communities.
October 2, 2007. <http://canada.metropolis.net/events/Political%20Participation/
papers%20and%20reports/saloojee_inclusion_e.doc>
This paper was presented at the Bringing Worlds Together Seminar – 2002 organized by the Metropolis Project Team. This seminar was based on the fundamental premise that “In a diverse society nothing is more important than ensuring that all citizens have the opportunity to participate in the discussions that set the rules by which we agree to live. Recognized in the Multiculturalism Policy in 1971, this principle was also enshrined into legislation with the passage of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act in 1988”. As this paper suggests, the realization of this goal is complex and there is not only a need to democratize the very institutions of Canadian democracy, but also a need to eradicate racial and other forms of discrimination and the other barriers interfering in the political participation of racialized and newcomer communities. The call for engagement in debate about the electoral equity is based on three spheres to which attention ought to turn. First, it suggests the need of a useful lens through which view and analyze both forms of political participation as the discourse of social inclusion and exclusion. Second, the presentation identifies four sets of factors that determine the extent of political participation by members of newcomer communities. Finally, in the third sphere, it mentions that political parties have also a responsibility to undertake the process of organizational change.
Saloojee, Anver (2003) Social Inclusion, Anti-Racism and Democratic Citizenship
October 23, 2007. http://www.laidlawfdn.org/files/children/saloojee.pdf
This paper first explores the relationship between social exclusion and racial exclusion, identifying racism as a form of social exclusion. It then assesses state responses to racism in the form of multiculturalism and, using the lens of social inclusion and the notion of democratic citizenship, identifies the limits of multiculturalism as public policy. In concluding, the paper argues that a discourse on social inclusion is more compelling than one on exclusion because it posits a radical alternative to racial exclusion and is a viable public policy response to the multiple manifestations of exclusion.
This paper is part of the Laidlaw Foundation’s Working Paper Series, Perspectives on Social Inclusion. The full papers (in English only) and the summaries in French and English can be downloaded from the Laidlaw Foundation’s web site at www.laidlawfdn.org under Children’s Agenda/Working Paper Series on Social Inclusion or ordered from workingpapers@laidlawfdn.org
Schugurensky, Daniel (2003). The Tango of Citizenship Learning and Participatory Democracy. OISE.
October 2, 2007. <http://tlc.oise.utoronto.ca/conference2003/Proceedings/s_w.pdf>
The main argument presented in this report is that participatory democracy provides powerful opportunities for citizenship learning, and as such, it constitutes an informal school of citizenship. Three hypotheses about the potential of these schools of citizenship guide this study: the ‘reciprocal’, the ‘expansive’ and the ‘anticipatory’. The first states that a reciprocal relationship exists between democratic learning and the quality of local democracies. The expansive states that the learning acquired in mini-democracies is likely to be transferred (horizontally or vertically) to other settings. The anticipatory is that the learning acquired by social actors interested in building a more democratic society (be the participants or observers of the process) has an inspiring dimension but also a realistic dimension (learning about potential challenges and obstacles for the next experiment).
Schugurensky, Daniel et al. (2005). “Can Volunteer work help me get a job in my field?”: on learning, immigration and labour markets.
October 3, 2007. < http://www.wallnetwork.ca/inequity/LL&W2005/SchugurenskyPaper.pdf>
This paper focuses on the learning dimension of the volunteer experience. It examines what was learned through the volunteer placements, how that learning was acquired, and what impact the learning had on their ability to find paid employment appropriate to their education and work experience. Particular attention was paid to issues of de-skilling, up-skilling and re-skilling. This case study is part of a larger research on the connections between informal learning and volunteer work, which in turn is part of the WALL (Work and Lifelong Learning) research project. It was conducted in partnership with A Commitment to Training and Employment for Women (ACTEW). The methodology for data collection included interviews and focus groups with 45 immigrants from 17 different countries. It also included a focus group with representatives from social agencies serving new immigrants.
Scott, Catherine et al. (2006). Making Connections: Social and civic engagement among Canadian immigrants.
October 2, 2007. < http://www.ccsd.ca/pubs/2006/makingconnections/makingconnections.pdf>
By examining different measures of social and civic engagement among the immigrant population and flagging areas of concern, this report tries to answer a variety of questions such as how are immigrants to Canada faring? Are they engaged in the social, economic, and political activities of their cultural communities – and the broader community at large? Do they volunteer? Vote? Donate to charities? Join groups? Do they follow current affairs? In other words, how are they doing with respect to social inclusion? In the report, social and civic engagement is broadly defined as “the active connections between people that foster mutual respect and facilitate cooperative action.” The immigrant population in Canada is not one homogeneous group and immigrant experiences are as varied as their ethnic, religious, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Indeed, what social or civic engagement means to an individual depends in largely on their past experiences and cultural practices. The report examines broad patterns of social and civic engagement among immigrants by looking at the different ways in which they participate in Canadian society and whether factors such as age, gender, education level, employment status, household income, and length of time in Canada influence their participation levels.
Shakir, Uzma. Dangers of a new dogma: Inclusion or else…!
October 3, 2007. < http://www.ocasi.org/index.php>
This paper focus on the “Canadian version” discourse of social inclusion. In Canada the concept has followed the logic of social accommodation which views inclusion as a continuum on which exclusion is the problem and inclusion is the solution. In this formulation social inclusion/exclusion are oppositional terms on a desired continuum. Therefore, the “solution” lies in moving the excluded towards the included and thereby resolving the “problem.” In this paradigm change becomes a matter of having good intentions, and facilitating events that are motivated by these conscious intentions. The underlying belief, indeed hope, is that the entity into which the excluded are to be included is uncritically desirable, and will remain relatively unchanged in the future. Thus, in this formulation of the concept there is more emphasis on moral self-righteousness rather than critical thinking. Since there is no structural analysis of marginality or exclusion and the concept is, once again, familiarly linear, social inclusion becomes a paternalistic policy option rather than one that challenges historical and existing power imbalances in our society in order to create real change.
Sheedy, Amanda, in collaboration with Mary Pat MacKinnon, Sonia Pitre and Judy Watling. Canadian Policy Research Networks (2008). Handbook on Citizen Engagement: Beyond Consultation. March 27, 2008. < http://www.cprn.org/documents/49583_EN.pdf >
This handbook builds on years of work at the Canadian Policy Research Networks bringing together cutting edge thinkers and practitioners in the field of citizen engagement. While it is not possible to capture all of CPRN’s and others’ work in one handbook, the hope is that this tool will provide a good overview of the breadth of the field – both the concepts and the methods – and supply ample resources (particularly online resources) with which to deepen knowledge on specific subjects. The handbook is intended to whet the appetite for citizen engagement for those new to citizen engagement, and for those with experience to deepen the analysis behind citizen engagement projects and provide a synthesis of the field and a concise reference tool. The long term vision is to contribute to the closing of the gap between governments and citizens, to allow public servants and politicians to reconnect with citizens’ needs, priorities and values.
This handbook is not a prescriptive how-to manual on citizen engagement. There is no one-size fits- all in citizen engagement. Each context, policy or program development process requires a unique approach and adapted tools to address its specific needs. Engaging citizens in a meaningful way first requires an understanding of the philosophy and vision of citizen engagement. It calls for planning and preparation and sometimes institutional capacity building. It can demand a shift in organizational or departmental cultural conceptions of what citizens can bring to a policy process. This handbook is a starting point to think about these issues and a reference guide for those who wish to deepen their understanding and practice of citizen engagement.
Siemiatycki, Myer (2006). The municipal franchise and social inclusion in Toronto: Policy and Practice.
October 3, 2007. < http://www.inclusivecities.ca/publication/reports/2006/toronto-report.pdf>
This paper explores the link between broadened municipal voting rights, the enriched experiences of civic engagement, and social inclusion. It contends that there is no automatic carry-over from expanded voting rights to deeper civic democracy. It proposes therefore, that a broadened municipal franchise is a necessary – though not sufficient – condition for more equitable political inclusion. In addressing these questions, it ranges across a variety of terrains and topics. First, a review of the social inclusion discourse and the specific study from which proposals for an extended municipal franchise arose. Next is the examination of the evolution and current state of municipal voting rights in Canada and other liberal democracies. Thereafter a presentation of data on how existing voting rights are actually exercised in Toronto, revealing dramatic disparities associated with race, immigrant status, income and geography.
Slade, B. et al.(2005). Seeking ‘Canadian Experience’: The Informal Learning of New Immigrants as Volunteer Workers.
October 3, 2007. <http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/CASAE/cnf2005/2005onlineProceedings/CAS2005Pro-Slade2-Luo-Schug.pdf>
Each year, thousands of immigrants encounter daunting barriers in their attempts to find jobs that are meaningful and appropriate to their qualifications, training and work experience Among these barriers are the non-recognition of foreign credentials, linguistic difficulties, limited networks, and lack of ‘Canadian experience’. To overcome some of these challenges, a common strategy that is both facilitated by community agencies and solicited by individuals is to do volunteer work (Teo, 2004, Couton, 2002). This research examines the connections between informal learning and volunteer work among immigrants who volunteer to improve their access to the labour market. The study explored what was learned through the volunteer placements, how that learning was acquired, and what impact the learning had on their ability to find paid employment appropriate to their education and work experience. Particular attention was paid to issues of deskilling, upskilling and reskilling.
Tamarack-An Institute for Community Engagement. Our growing understanding of community engagement.
October 2, 2007. < http://tamarackcommunity.ca/downloads/home/whatisce.pdf>
This document uses frequently the definition of Community Engagement as a method to improve communities by identifying and addressing local ideas, concerns and opportunities. It also includes items like the involvement of the public in processes that affect them and their communities. The report also includes the findings on the following topics: Community Engagement as passive or proactive; Community Engagement as a process; Community Engagement that empowers communities; Community Engagement is not limited by time; Community Engagement favours multisectoral collaboration; and finally some key criteria for Community Engagement.
Viswanathan, Leela et al. (2003). Social Inclusion and the City: A Critical Commentary.
October 3, 2007. <http://www.cassa.on.ca/BmFINAL%20Social%20Inclusion--%20Apr.22.031.pdf >
This paper provides a critical commentary on how social inclusion is conceptualized in the context of the city. It was produced as the work of four networks engaged in social planning in Toronto, within and across groups of South Asian, Chinese, Hispanic, and African communities who have come to recognize that there are key factors evident in the characteristics and experiences of these communities. Factors such as low incomes, racism, racial profiling, and barriers to access to employment, affordable housing, and meaningful mechanisms for participation in the civic and political life of society have presented obstacles to their inclusion in the city. The authors consider that ‘the city’ represents the place where people live and work as well as a system of governance and institutional structures with which they negotiate to build the capacity of their communities.