|
|
The Connexions Digest
The Connexions Digest was a project of Connexions, a non–profit organization founded in 1975 to connect individuals and organizations working for social change with each other, with information and ideas, and with the general public. The Connexions Digest was published in print form from 1976 to 1992. Connexions is now primarily Internet–based, although it continues to maintain an extensive archive of physical documents and other materials. Much of the content which appeared in the 54 print issues of the Digest are available on the Connexions website, in addition to thousands of additional documents. Try using the Title and Subject Indexes as well as the Search Connexions feature to find documents from the Connexions Digest.
Connexions now publishes a bi–weekly digest, Other Voices, which is available as an emailed newsletter as well as online on the Connexions website.
Connexions Title Index –
Connexions Subject Index –
Search Connexions
Connexions Digest past issues
Canadian Information
Sharing Service
Issue #1 –
Pilot Issue – February 1976
|
Canadian Information Sharing Service – February 1976
Vol I Issue 1
Pilot Issue of the Canadian Information Sharing Service (CISS). Begins with a graphical description of the genesis and evolution of CISS. This issue offers abstracts concerning: analytical methodology and reflective practice; church politics in Canada; “Skid row“ / urban poverty; Northern Development and its impact on native Canadians; Canadian interests in South Africa, Chile and Namibia; the New International Economic Order and labour driven migration to and within Canada, and its impact on economic mobility.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #2 - July 1976
|
Canadian Information Sharing Service (CISS) – July 1976
Vol I Issue 2
CISS issue 2 presents a collection of abstracts covering the following themes:
Canada-International with a focus on Chile; Canada-Analysis, Canadian journals examining Canadian society and concerns; Northern Development, changes in land usage and agriculture; urban homelessness and housing insecurity; legal aid and consumer rights; newsletters from Church, Co-op and Women ’s community groups; church in society and political movements and a selection of activist poetry, music and film. Features reflections on rural immigrant settlement, aboriginal Indian experience in the Americas including displacement and resettlement, and the urban working class.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #3 - September 1976
|
Canadian Information Sharing Service (CISS) – September1976
Vol I Issue 3
A selection of abstracts concerning Canada in an international context; ecology (nuclear power); agriculture (food security); poverty; health care (mental health); Community organization and unions; co-ops (communications, resources, events); alternative media (Plain Dealer, Prairie Star, Grass Roots Press); under-represented groups (women, Native people, prisoners). This issue has a particular focus on projects in the Western Provinces: Co-op radio, mental health advocacy and the Pacific Life Community including its campaign against the Trident nuclear submarine.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #4 - November 1976
|
Canadian Information Sharing Service (CISS) – November 1976
Vol I Issue 4
A selection of abstracts concerning: Canada-International issues (commodity trading, corporate responsibility); Canadian analysis (Church activism, social mobility); natural resources (CNGPG for Habitat, northern development); ecology (Pollution in Hamilton, Nuclear responsibility); labour (migrant labour, immigrant community, organization and unions); urban core (urban poverty, skid row, community services and welfare); juridical issues (legal resources); alternative life style offerings (sustainable living).
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #5 - January 1977
|
Canadian Information Sharing Service – January 1977
Volume I Issue 5
Issue 5 of CISS features abstracts concerning:
Canada-International (international development, Vancouver declaration on human settlements, Latin America-Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Latin America-Brazil, commodities); Canada-Analysis (food, housing, tax credits, oil -- Project North, Northern Development, energy); Labour (with specific focus on Native peoples -- employment, land, organizing, identity); Juridical (court workings, legal resources); community-cooperatives ( publications, sport, housing) and women (women in the workplace).
Emphasis on: “Ten days for World development leader kit“, evidence from the Mackenzie valley pipeline hearings, “Intentional communities as a strategy for social change“.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #6 - March 1977
|
Canadian Information Sharing Service – March 1977
Volume I Issue 6
CISS presents abstracts collected into the following themes:
natural resources (South Africa, Namibia, Latin America, food sustainability and trade, Coffee, Sugar, Australia, Northern Development, mining, Canadian native peoples issues); Labour (wage controls and collective bargaining); community-economic development (Tourism and development in Prince Edward Island, third sector, housing, Montreal concerns, Paxmil); human rights (ecumenical issues -- Quebec, racism in Toronto, immigrant resources, women on skid row, Alberta Committee: Indian rights for Indian Women, reproductive rights, gay rights movement, substance abuse); Juridical (Quaker jails and justice committee newsletter, legal clinics in Toronto); Housing (social housing, housing insecurity, tenants rights); Co-ops/Alternative lifestyles (housing, food, Bakaui, education, sustainability).
Special focus on housing.
Funding Request March 1977
Canadian Information Sharing Service
Contents:
-Graphic History of the development of CISS
-Identification of who we are
-Statement of objectives and of CISS development in light of the objectives
-Budget
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #7 - May 1977
|
Canadian Information Sharing Service – May 1977
Volume II Issue 1
CISS presents abstracts following themes economic analysis (consumer credit, Canadian interests in Chile, Brazil); Project Ploughshares (Canada’s military spending); natural resources (food production/security, agribusiness, Northern Development, renewable energy); human rights (unemployment, immigration Bill C-24, anti-racism in Toronto, Black community and activist resources, indigenous issue, women’s resources, health care advocacy); community organizing (Edmonton, Toronto, Brampton, Thunder Bay, Montreal); arts/education.
Of particular note: the Canadian News Synthesis project focusing on causes of unemployment in Canada; “Underdevelopment in Canada” (impact of colonialism on Canadian development); a collection of reports highlighting Canada’s economic complicity in oppression in South Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #8 - July 1977
|
Canadian Information Sharing Service – July 1977
Volume II Issue 2
Collected abstracts with particular emphasis on:
Economic analysis (food as commodity, nuclear energy, oil, Native peoples issues -- land rights, food production, employment and policy making), Canadian Labour Comment by the Canadian Labour Congress, the Anti-inflation Board and wage suppression, unemployment insurance.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #9 - September 1977
|
CISS September 1977
Volume II Issue 3
CISS presents a selection of abstracts with a focus on the Unemployment Insurance act, the Immigration act and the Alaska Highway Pipeline. This issue also concerns the impact of changes to these policies on the environment, economic development and poverty, unemployment (causes) and activism by the Indian Brotherhood of the North West Territories and its Southern support group.
Also contains an updated version of the musicians of Bremen.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #10 - November 1977
|
CISS November 1977
Volume II Issue 4
A selection of abstracts addressing the economy; resources; environment; Native people; human rights; community. With special emphasis on National Unity and Quebec, formation of coalitions such as the Maritime Energy Commission, Native groups working towards renegotiation of treaties and their relationship with the Canadian government.
Other abstracts concern development of the Labrador Straits, Canadian Tariffs versus aid, Imperialism and Nationalism in Canada, energy conservation, food security, fair trade coffee, and the study day movement.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #11 - December 1977
|
CISS December 1977
Volume II Issue 5
In this issue, CISS features abstracts concerning fishing and forestry in the Maritimes and oil and gas in theYukon . Abstracts address human labour, corporate responsibility to people and environment. With emphasis on senior citizens, native peoples, women and low income parents.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #12 - February 1978
|
CISS February 1978
Volume III Issue 1
Content consists of abstracts relating to the economy, resources, labour, community, urban core, education, native people and human rights.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #24 - May 1980
Women
|
Connexions May 1980
Volume V Issue 2
Content consists of abstracts relating to Women. Additional subjects include the economy, labour, human rights, education, community, and environment.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #29 - April 1981
Urban Core
|
Connexions April 1981
Volume VI Issue 2
Content consists of abstracts relating to the marginalization of people living in the Urban Core. Additional subjects include the community, women, native people, militarism, international affairs, and agriculture.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #30 - September 1981
Atlantic Development
|
Connexions Septmeber 1981
Volume VI Issue 3
Content consists of abstracts relating to Atlantic Development. Focus subjects include the economy and resource development in the Atlantic provinces. Additional subjects include labour, human rights, education, the environment, and community.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #31 - November 1981
Unorganized Workers
|
Connexions November 1981
Volume VI Issue 4
Content consists of abstracts relating to Unorganized Workers. More specifically, the issue focuses on workers within a broad range of groupings and minorities and the common goal of security and empowerment within the labour market. Additional subjects include energy, human rights, education, and community.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #32 - January 1982
Children
|
Connexions January 1982
Volume VI Issue 5
Content consists of abstracts relating to Children. The issue examines the struggles that children experience in Canada and abroad and the efforts being made to ensure their rights, dignity and creativity. Additional subjects include the environment, human rights, and women.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #33 - March 1982
|
Connexions March 1982
Volume VII Issue 1
Content consists of abstracts relating to the law, human rights, energy, international affairs, education, women, health, and aging.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #34 - May 1982
Canada-Latin America
|
Connexions May 1982
Volume VII Issue 2
Content consists of abstracts relating to the efforts of people and organizations in Canada who actively support popular struggles in Latim America. Content includes national organizations, as well as those in the Atlantic Region, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairie provinces, and British Columbia.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #35 - July 1982
Prairie Region
|
Connexions July 1982
Volume VII Issue 3
Content consists of abstracts relating to the Prairie Region. Focus subjects include the economy and resource development in the prarie provinces. Additional subjects include community, media, native people, law, women, labour, agriculture, disarmament and development education.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #36 - December 1982
Housing
|
Connexions December 1982
Volume 7 Number 4
Issue #36 of Connexions is a theme issue on housing. The introduction to the issue sets the context: “There’s no place like home!“ – if you have one. The material in this issue suggests that if you are a senior, a tenant, a single man in a room, a single woman with a family, or handicapped, you are finding it harder and harder to find adequate housing. Since 1976, there has been a steady decline in all areas of new housing construction. Older houses are being demolished or renovated without being replaced. As the supply of housing decreases (and the demand increases), housing becomes more valuable and, therefore, more attractive as a form of investment. People buy houses to make profits – not to live in them. Those most affected by this trend are people with moderate to low incomes.
Our material on housing suggests two types of response to this growing crisis. Several groups are working to gain access to or preserve what affordable housing is left through education, advocacy, and community organizing. Other groups are working to create new housing through co-ops and non-profit corporations.
The issue also includes materials on Native Peoples, international development, and community.
This edition is the first issue of Connexions published after Ulli Diemer was hired as Connexions Co-ordinator, and the first to be typeset. Typesetting made it possible to fit the same amount of content on fewer pages, thereby reducing both printing and mailing costs.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #37 - Spring 1983
Women and Men
|
Connexions Spring 1983
Volume 8 Number 1
The introduction to this issue began with the observation that “in today’s climate of economic and political retrenchment, the gains achieved by the Women’s Movement are in jeopardy. As our readers have suggested, there is a critical need at this time to re-affirm the strength and impact of our collective actions.”
It goes on to say that “There are many forces in contemporary Canadian society that reinforce sexism in public and private spheres of life, and which socialize our children into that system. Our economic system is based on competition, winners and losers, domination and submission. It has little respect for health and safety, full employment, the environment, or women’s demand for equal participation. Our political system does not permit effective grassroots participation or influence. Our laws, our media, our education system and, too frequently, our churches and our unions support existing structures in favour of the status quo.”
The issue profiles 73 projects that challenge sexism, grouped under the headings of Context, Law, Labour, Health, Peace, Environment, Arts, Culture, Media. Through such projects and the analyses they are developing, the introduction says, “we are developing not only an understanding of the factors that oppress us and reinforce sexism, but we are learning how to put into place alternative structures for living and working. We are replacing hierarchical and patriarchal structures with collectives, self-help groups, and community based organizations. We are learning, often painfully, how to combine direct service with social action (e.g. transition houses, rape crisis centres). The links between social issues are becoming clearer to all of us – sexism, militarism and violence; sexism and imperialism; health, labour, and environmental issues. Through this growing understanding, our base for collective action is broadened, our relationships are strengthened, and our sense of support is enhanced.”
This issue introduces a new feature called „Ways and Means.” The first article is on “Meeting collectively.” It describes the collective process through which the Connexions project operates.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #38 - Summer 1983
Toward a New Economy
|
Connexions Summer 1983
Volume 8 Number 2
The introduction to this issue explains “So much has been written and said about the present world-wide economic situation that we decided to produce an issue on economic alternatives. We solicited materials from across the country, asking you to tell us how you are working ‘toward a new economy’.
The summaries in this issue reflect two basic responses to the status quo. The first is a critique of the current situation from the standpoint of those whose interests are not served by the dominant economic system. The other response is the creation of alternatives which seek to embody those values of community control, economic participation, and production for human need which are lost in the grab for profit.”
The introduction also notes that members of the Connexions collective had different interpretations of the work being done to build ‘a new economy.’ Some felt that “we have not yet been very effective in bringing about the changes required to establish a new economy. Strategies such as worker control, production for need rather than profit, and ecologically-sound planning seem still to be confined to the fringes of an economic system driven by completely different imperatives.”
Other collective members were more optimistic. They thought that innovative work is being done by unions (including unions of the unemployed), churches, and other community organizations to create a better understanding of the present system and to develop alternatives. They were surprised that so many projects were surviving in the face of opposition and recession.
The Ways and Means section of this issue features an article by Canadian Youth for Peace on organizing local peace groups.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #39 - Winter 1983-84
Native Issues
|
Connexions: A Digest of Resources and Groups for Social Change – Winter 1983-84
Volume 8 Number 3-4
The introductory overview from the Connexions collective states that “Most of us are well aware of the critical and chronic problems facing Canada’s Native people. Land claims settlements are far from being resolved. Multinational resource corporations continue to explore and stake claims in the North, despite warnings of vast and irreparable ecological and social damage. Natives continue to be governed by the Indian Act – a piece of legislation “dedicated to the subservience of (Native) rights under arbitrary authority.” (CX 2828). The consequences of the Institutional racism and class structure of Canadian society continue to adversely affect Native people. This is reflected in rates of unemployment, numbers of suicides, incarceration and infant mortality that far exceed the national average. Yet most Canadian non-Natives are largely unaware of the diversity and intensity of the efforts of Native people to address these issues.”
Forty-one different projects and resources related to indigenous issues are included is this issue.
In addition, the issue includes materials related to the economy, health, civil liberties, prisons, organizing, against, energy, environment, militarism, development education, lesbians and gays, labour, as well as periodical summaries and announcements. The Ways and Means section features an article on consensus decision-marking.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #40 - Spring 1984
Energy and Environment
|
Connexions: A Digest of Resources and Groups for Social Change – Spring 1984
Volume 9 Number 1
The introduction to this issue begins by noting that Canada’s energy policy ’has been decided on the basis of technical feasibility, efficiency and profit, and not on the basis of its social, political and environmental effects.” “Corporations have told Canadians that the days of relatively cheap and abundant energy are over, and that a shortage of energy will bring economic disaster, to be averted only by the development of new and costly projects such as tar sands, Arctic oil and gas, huge hydroelectric dams, and nuclear power. Governments and public hydro utilities have supported these large-scale, capital intensive projects. The frightening results of this energy strategy have been analysed and documented by many of the groups listed in this edition of CONNEXIONS.”
It goes on to say that “There are alternatives to this ‘hard energy path.’” Contributors to this issue have researched and documented that an energy strategy based on conservation and renewable energy resources is both technically feasible and economically sound. It is possible to build small-scale projects, locally controlled, which cause minimal environmental and health problems, cost less, create more jobs, and respect aboriginal rights.”
Also included in this issue are sections of Militarism, Media, Education, Women, and Health, as well as Periodical Summaries and Announcements and Appeals. The Ways and Means section features an article on “The National Conference as a Networking Tool.”
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #41 - Summer 1984
Rights and Liberties
|
Connexions: A Digest of Resources and Groups for Social Change – Summer 1984
Volume 9 Number 2
In compiling CONNEXIONS, which focuses on a different social or political issue in each edition, we are often struck by how seemingly distinct problems turn out to be strongly intermeshed. Nowhere has this been more so than in this edition on “Rights and Liberties.” Civil liberties and human rights appear as a key dimension in almost every other field of social justice and social change.
The struggle to change the role of women in society, for example, often revolves around equality and human rights. Environmental issues focus on our right to breathe clean air, drink clean water or lead lives in harmony rather than in conflict with nature. Economic issues pose the right to earn an income, to a fair share of society’s wealth, to security for the future. The question of peace concerns the right to live itself, free of fear of annihilation.
Western society is strongly coloured by the idea that we have rights which are ours “by right,” not as a privilege bestowed by authority. Defining human rights gives rise to many of the sharpest political divisions of our time. This is especially true of the right to ‘freedom.’ What is freedom, for the individual and for the group? Freedom from what? Freedom to do what? Subject to what restrictions to safeguard the freedoms and rights of others?
If freedom is the ability to shape one’s life without domination by others, then what are its elements and pre-conditions?
How free are we, for example, if we are too poor to obtain decent housing, proper medical care, or education? How real is our right to “freedom of speech,” if public discourse is dominated by a handful of large media chains, corporations and paid advertising and we have no realistic or effective way of making ourselves heard? How real is the right to equality nominally guaranteed by law in the face of immense inequities of wealth and power? In a society where our freedom is primarily defined as one of choice among alternatives in the marketplace, what happens to the possibility of choosing options that are never offered: for example, choosing to live in a real community rather than simply buying or renting housing?
Any discussion of rights involves recognition that human beings are both social and individual, and therefore that human rights include social and collective rights as well as individual rights.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #42 - Fall 1984
Housing and Homelessness
|
Connexions: A Digest of Resources and Groups for Social Change – Autumn 1984
Volume 9 Number 3
This issue was compiled by Connexions in collaboration with the Urban Core Support Network (UCSN). UCSN is a church-based, ecumenical association of individuals who are responding to the problems faced by people living at the margins of urban society.
There are two kinds of material abstracted or presented here. One group of abstracts points to efforts to analyze the problems and propose responses. Through commissioned studies, task group analyses or conferences and workshops, people across the country have been attempting to clarify the issues, identify the problems and propose solutions to the disappearance of housing for people in the urban core. The second group of abstracts includes descriptions of projects that are now in place or at the proposal stage. It is reflection on these projects that will provide the basis for more effective action in the future.
The papers and presentations abstracted here all document the seriousness of the situation and the inadequacy of current responses.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #43 - Spring (April) 1986
The Arts and Social Change
|
Connexions: A Digest of Resources and Groups for Social Change – Spring (April) 1986
Volume 10 Number 1
Most of this issue consists of abstracts relating to the Arts and Social Change, specifically artists and creative groups who bring awareness to social issues and advocate for social change through their work.
The introduction notes that “There has been a re-awakening of the arts in Canada in recent years. Theatre groups have sprung up in small communities and in large cities. New art and photographic galleries display the previously neglected works of women, native people, prisoners and working people. Video has given us a new window on the world. Many groups are making use of the arts to stimulate people’s imaginations so they can be aware of the world and see what needs to be changed.
Art in North America has generally been enlisted on the side of the personal and individualistic. Our society has made a cult of outcast artists and thus has effectively marginalized them. But now, groups of artists, outraged by the injustices of our society, are creating new bridges of trust between themselves and the communities where they live.
This issue of CONNEXIONS will introduce you to some of these groups who are attempting to expand our visions of the world.”
The issue also includes materials on Women, International Development, Community, Education, Latin America, Environment, Handicapped/ Differently Abled, Gay Liberation, Human Rights and Civil Liberties, as well as Announcements and Appeals.
|
Connexions Directory of Canadian Organizations for Social Justice
Issue #44 - Winter (January) 1987
|
Connexions Directory of Canadian Organizations for Social Justice – 1987
Volume 10 Number 2-3
This special 260-page directory issue of carries the title Connexions Directory of Canadian Organizations for Social Justice 1987. A directory of Canadian grassroots organizations working for social justice, it lists and describes more than 1,500 groups.
Each main listing includes the group’s name, address, telephone number, contact person, structure, year of founding, resources produced, activities and services provided, and a 25 word statement of purpose and goals.
In addition to the main subject headings, the Connexions Directory also has separate indices which enable users to find organizations by geographical location, by name, or through a set of keywords describing their areas of involvement.
Appendices list Information/resource providers, Canadian alternative periodicals, and other useful directories.
The introduction states “Connexions hopes that the DIRECTORY will also help to produce the more intangible benefits that come from increased contact and knowledge.... As one looks through this Directory, a sense emerges of the power and vitality of the urge to create alternatives. We see that despite the pervasive feeling that ‘nothing can be done’, people do join with others to block what they see as harmful and fight for what they consider to be desirable and just.”
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #45 - Spring (April) 1987
|
Connexions – Spring (April 1987)
Volume 11 Number 1
This issue introduced some changes in the format and design of the Connexions Digest. It is the first issue to be printed on newsprint. The Ways and Means section is expanded and moved to the front. Featured articles are The March (on a peace march); Making their Voices Heard (on Central America-focused organizing in Prince Edward Island); Citizens Group Scores Success in Anti-Lead Battle; Our Little Victory (on anti-militarist organizing in Prince Edward Island); Power in Play: Reclaiming Play in the Serious Work of Our Lives; Meeting the Media (a reprint from Media for Social Change).
A new section of the Connexions Digest is Network News, with news and information from groups across Canada.
Also new is Activist’s Bookshelf, a section presenting information about reference materials and resources dealing with the ‘nuts-and-bolts’ aspects of organizing and maintaining grassroots organizations and activities.
The New Resources section features resources on Development and International issues; Economy, Poverty, and Work; Education and Children; Environment, Land Use, and Rural issues; Health, Human Rights and Civil Liberties; Peace, Women, and general social justice resources.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #46 - Winter 1988
Volume 11, Number 2
|
Connexions: A Social Change Sourcebook – Winter 1988
Volume 11 Number 2
The Ways and Means section of this issue featured articles on Managing Volunteers, Building Consensus, Nurturing Creativity; Conflict Resolution in the Classroom: A Curriculum Project; Pressing for Press; Overcoming Male Oppression.
The New Resources section features resources on Development and International issues; Economy, Poverty, and Work; Education and Children; Environment, Land Use, and Rural issues; Health, Human Rights and Civil Liberties; Native Peoples; Peace, Women, and general social justice resources.
Also in this issue: the Activist’s Bookshelf, Network News, Comings and Goings, Letters, and a page of classified ads.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #47 - Volume 12, No. 1
|
Connexions: A Social Change Sourcebook – 1988
Volume 12 Number 1
Featured articles in the Ways and Means section of this issue are: A Fundraising Success; The Extraordinary Myles Horton; Raging Grannies; Setting Up a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone; Little Brother Watches Back; It Ain’t the Meeting, It’s the Motion!; One Vote for Democracy.
The New Resources section features resources on Community, Urban, and Housing; Development and International issues; Economy, Poverty, and Work; Education and Children; Environment, Land Use, and Rural issues; Human Rights and Civil Liberties; Native Peoples; Peace, and Women.
Also in this issue: the Activist’s Bookshelf, Network News, and classified ads.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #48 - Winter 1989
|
Connexions: A Social Change Sourcebook – Winter 1989
Issue 48
Featured articles in the Ways and Means section were: What Do We Do Now? Building a Social Movement in the Aftermath of Free Trade; Amnesty: The Inside Story; A Targeted Approach to Worker Co-op Development: Lessons from Mondragon and Northern Italy; How You Can Help Make a Difference; Voluntary Simplicity.
The New Resources section featured materials on Arts, Media and Culture; Community, Urban, and Housing; Development and International issues; Economy, Poverty, and Work; Education and Children; Environment, Land Use, and Rural issues; Health; Human Rights and Civil Liberties; Native Peoples; Peace, and Women.
Also in this issue: Activist’s Bookshelf, Network News, and classified ads.
|
Connexions Annual 1989
Issue #49 - September 1989
|
The Connexions Annual 1989: A Social Change Sourcebook – September 1989
Issue 49
Billed as “A Social Change Sourcebook” with “Information and ideas about social and environmental issues”, this special 224-page directory issue of the Connexions Digest, edited by Ulli Diemer, is an improved and expanded version of the Connexions Directory of Canadian Organizations for Social Justice published in 1987. More than 2,700 organizations are listed and described, with their contact information.
The directory is divided into a number of main sections: Arts/Media/Culture; Community/Urban/Housing; Development/International; Economy/Poverty/Work; Education/Children; Environment/Land Use/Rural; Health; Human Rights/Civil Liberties; Lesbians/Gays; Native Peoples; Peace; Women; Social Justice: General; Other Useful Organizations; Canadian Alternative Periodicals; Foreign Alternative Periodicals; Useful Sources of Information; as well as a Name Index, Geographical Index, and Subject Index.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #50 - December 1989
|
Connexions: A Social Change Sourcebook – December 1989
Number 50
The issue appeared shortly after the Berlin Wall opened. The lead article by Ulli Diemer, Looking for Democracy, reflects on the need for radical democratization, not only in eastern Europe, but in the West.
Other articles in this issue are The Need for Alternative Employment, by Gary Moffatt; Grassroots Cells, Devil’s Architects Defend Communities (a review of The Householder’s Guide to Community Defence Against Bureaucratic Aggression; and The Write Stuff: all You Every wanted to Know about Letter Writing, from the Temagami Wilderness Society.
The New Resources section featured materials on Development and International issues; Economy, Poverty, and Work; Education and Children; Environment, Nature, and Rural issues; Health; Human Rights and Civil Liberties; Lesbians/Gays; Peace, and Women.
Also in this issue: Alternative Voices, Activist’s Bookshelf, Network News, Letters, and classified ads.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #51 - May 1990
|
Connexions: A Social Change Sourcebook – May 1990
Issue 51
This issue features Alternative voices, Network News, News Briefs, the Activist's Bookshelf, and classified ads.
The New Resources section features materials on Arts/Media/Culture; Community/Urban/Housing; Development and International issues; Economy, Poverty, and Work; Education and Children; Environment, Nature, and Rural issues; Health; Human Rights and Civil Liberties; Native Peoples; Peace, and Women.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #52 - August 1990
|
Connexions: A Social Change Sourcebook – August 1990
Issue 52
Articles in this issue: Transforming Apathy and Denial; A Nuclear-Free Canada; What’s Left?; Helsinki Citizens Assembly; and The GST and the Big Tax Picture (a special 8-page section on the regressive Goods and Services Tax being pushed forward by Canada’s Conservative government).
The New Resources section features materials on Arts/Media/Culture; Development and International issues; Economy, Poverty, and Work; Education and Children; Environment, Nature, and Rural issues; Health; Human Rights and Civil Liberties; Lesbians/Gays; Peace, Women, and Social Justice: General.
Also in this issue: Network News, News Briefs, and Classifieds.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #53 - January 1991
|
Connexions: A Social Change Sourcebook – January 1991
Issue 53
This issue was published just as the United States and its allies launched their attack on Iraq. An article by Ulli Diemer, “War in the Gulf,” condemns the war. Also in this issue: an article on the Rafferty-Alameda dams in Saskatchewan; “The collective decides:” critiquing how collective decision-making is practised in many organizations; and Communicating Effectively Through Your Newsletter. Short items in the Alternative Voices section include Working together for peace; Quebec’s two solitudes; The Arab choice; Freedom for East Timor; The Free trade disaster: round two; Globalizing the left; Winter of discontent; No action on human rights; The bureaucracy remains; Our transportation future; and The right to offend.
The New Resources section features materials on Arts/Media/Culture; Development and International issues; Economy, Poverty, and Work; Education and Children; Environment, Nature, and Rural issues; Health; Native Peoples; Peace, Women, and Social Justice: General.
Also in this issue: Network News, News Briefs, Activist’s Bookshelf, and Classifieds.
|
Connexions Digest
Issue #54 - February 1992
|
Connexions: A Social Change Sourcebook – February 1992
Issue 54
This was the last print issue of The Connexions Digest. One further print publication, the 1994 Connexions Annual, came out two years later.
Articles in this issue: We can save social programs; U.S. strikes drop dramatically; Privatization: Fiction vs. fact; Boreal forests in crisis; Throw it in the garbage myself; Moscow gangsters; Do you really want more censorship?; Libel law is dangerous; Aid cut; The junk food economy; We’re winning – Don’t ask where!; Native media surviving; Reform Party.
The New Resources section features materials on Arts/Media/Culture; Community, Urban, Housing; Development and International issues; Economy, Poverty, and Work; Education and Children; Environment, Nature, and Rural issues; Health; Human Rights and Civil Liberties; Lesbians/Gays; Native Peoples; Peace, Women, and Social Justice: General.
Also in this issue: Network News, News Briefs, Activist’s Bookshelf, and Classifieds.
|
Connexions Annual 1994
Issue #55 - March 1994
|
The Connexions Annual 1994: A Sourcebook of Social and Environmental Alternatives – March 1994
Issue 55
The 1994 edition of the Connexions Annual is subtitled "A Sourcebook of Social and Environmental Alternatives. Edited by Ulli Diemer, it is 224 pages and provides information on 1,800 groups. It features a number of main sections: Arts/Media/Culture; Community/Urban/Housing; Development/International; Economy/Poverty/Work; Education/Children; Environment/Land Use/Rural; Health; Human Rights/Civil Liberties; Lesbians/Gays; Native Peoples; Peace; Women; Social Justice: General; Other Organizations of Interest; Alternative Periodicals; as well as a Name Index, Geographical Index, and Subject Index.
This was the last print publication produced by Sources. By this time Connexions was already experimenting with putting content online. The Connexions.org website was launched in 1996. It features an online directory of organizations.
|
Connexions Digest
Index #2
|
A separately published index of Contributors, Titles, and Subjects from the second year of the Canadian Information Sharing Service (May 1977 to December 1977. Volume II, Nos. 1-5).
|
Connexions Digest
Index #3
|
A separately published index of Contributors, Titles, and Subjects from the third year of the Canadian Information Sharing Service (February to December 1978. Nos. 1–6).
|
Articles, reviews and other resources from previous issues
Collected Items and Indexes
Connexions Digest Collected News Briefs 1989 – 1992
Compiled news summaries published in the Connexions Digest, issues
50 – 54. (CX4906).
Connexions
Digest Collected Network News Items 1987 - 1992
Compiled ‘Network News’ items published in the Connexions Digest,
issues 45 – 54. (CX4905).
A brief
history of Connexions
Interview
with Connexions Co–ordinator Ulli Diemer
Jeff
Orchard interviews Connexions Coordinator Ulli Diemer. Also
available in Spanish.
(CX5202).
Selected Items from the Connexions Digest
Connexions Digest #54 (February 1992)
We
Can Save Social Programs
We can save social
programs by removing unwarranted tax subsidies for corporations
and wealthy investors. (CX4346).
U.S.
Strikes Drop Dramatically
Reaganism has
enabled employers to launch war on unions.
(CX4347).
Privatization:
Fact versus Fiction
Truths and myths about
privatization. (CX4348).
Boreal
Forests in Crisis
Canada will lose its
boreal forests if logging continues at the current rate.
(CX4349).
Throw
it in the garbage myself
Let us decide
for ourselves which books are trash.
(CX4350).
Moscow
Gangsters
A conversation with Boris Kagarlitsky,
a Russian social activist. (CX4351).
Ask
yourself...Do You Really Want More Censorship?
Censorship is dangerous and feminists who support it are wrong-headed.
(CX4352).
Libel
law is dangerous
Libel laws threaten freedom of speech. (CX4353).
Aid
Cut
Canada
keeps cutting foreign aid while pretending it isn’t. (CX4354).
The
Junk Food Economy
Young people entering
the workforce face a junk food economy.
(CX4355).
Roll
Over George Orwell, And Give Goebbels the News! We’re Winning -
Don’t Ask Where!
A question/answer period with high ranking U.S. military officials.
(CX4356).
Hanging
On! Native media are surviving, but for how long?
Native media are struggling to survice.
(CX4357).
Reform
Party
The
Reform Party claims it wants a "new Canada," but their
vision for the future looks a lot like the "old" Canada.
(CX4358).
News
Briefs
Compiled news summaries published
in the Connexions Digest #54.
Network
News - Connexions Digest #54
Compiled ‘Network
News’ items published in the Connexions Digest #54.
Connexions Digest #53 (January 1991)
War
in the Gulf
Written upon the outbreak of
the 1991 Iraq War. (CX4163).
Working
together for peace
Although English and French-speaking Canadians are sometimes
at odds, the call for peace is universal. It is s language that
all can agree on. (CX4164).
Quebec’s
two solitudes
Quebec’s sovereignists find
themselves increasingly in confliect with Native Peoples. (CX4165).
The
Arab Choice
Arabs are many peoples, cultures,
religions, and realities. I cannot put an Arab tyrant, whoever he
is, in the same category as a martyr for democracy like Mehdi Ben
Barka. (CX4166).
You
either believe in freedom or you don’t. We believe.
Support independence for East Timor
from Indonesian rule. (CX4167).
The
free trade disaster: round two
Free trade
is a disaster for Canada — and Mexico. (CX4168).
Globalizing
the left
The
Canadian trade union movement has to put greater emphasis on using
its global ties to prevent multinational companies from shifting
their operations to low wage countries. (CX4169).
Winter
of discontent
Whole communities are being plunged into a poverty culture that
is very difficult to escape. (CX4170).
No
Action on Human Rights
The Mulroney Tories are doing nothing at all about human rights..
(CX4171).
The
bureaucracy remains
The government may change but the bureaucracy remains.
(CX4172).
Our
Transportation Future
The billions of dollars proposed to be spent on roads would
be better invested in electrifying the main rail lines in Canada.
(CX4173).
The
Right to Offend
Humans have a right to offend other humans, especially in presenting
dissent from the views with which many people seem to be very content.
This includes those views called religious. (CX4174).
Rafferty–Alameda:
The American Connection
There is more,
much more, to the Rafferty–Alameda dam project than the government
admits. (CX4174A).
Making
Changes: The collective decides...
Collective decision making doesn’t always work as well in practice
as in theory. (CX4174).
Communicating
Effectively Through Your Newsletter
An
effective newsletter is one that meets your readers’ needs and interests. También disponible en español: Como Comunicarse De Manera Efectiva A Través De Un Boletín Informativo. (CX4174C).
News
Briefs
Compiled news summaries published
in the Connexions Digest #53.
Network
News – Connexions Digest #53
Compiled ‘Network
News’ items published in the Connexions Digest #53.
Connexions Digest #52 (August 1990)
Making
Changes: Transforming Apathy and Denial
Thoughts on people, power and participation. (CX3999).
The
Case for a Nuclear–Free Canada
Nuclear
power will not be the saviour to our power problems, rather, it
is only making matters worse. (CX4000).
What’s
Left?: Environmentalists and Radical Politics
Environmentalist activism as radical practice. (CX4001).
The
1990 Prague Appeal
The peaceful transition of Europe is unthinkable without the
full observance of all human and civil rights. (CX4002).
The
GST in the Big Tax Picture
The GST is part of the Tory program of making the rich richer.
(CX4003).
News Briefs
Compiled news summaries published
in the Connexions Digest #52.
Network
News – Connexions Digest #52
Compiled ‘Network
News’ items published in the Connexions Digest #52.
Connexions Digest #51 (May 1990)
News
Briefs
Compiled news summaries published
in the Connexions Digest #51.
Network
News – Connexions Digest #51
Compiled ‘Network
News’ items published in the Connexions Digest #51.
Connexions Digest #50 (December 1989)
Looking
for Democracy
Democracy in Eastern Europe?
Wonderful! But how about some more democracy here? (CX3573).
The
Need for Alternative Employment
We must
start creating an alternative economy among ourselves. (CX3574).
Grassroots
Cells, Devil’s Architects Defend Communities
Review of The Householder’s Guide to Community Defence Against Bureaucratic
Aggression. (CX3575).
The
Write Stuff
All you ever wanted to know about letter writing. (CX3576).
For
Our Common Future
A proposal for research
done on our common future. (CX3815).
Activism
Under Attack
Canadian democracy is in
danger when activism is attacked. (CX3817).
News
Briefs
Compiled news summaries published
in the Connexions Digest #50.
Network
News – Connexions Digest #50
Compiled ‘Network
News’ items published in the Connexions Digest #50.
The Connexions Annual 1989 (September 1989 – Digest #49)
Introduction
to the Connexions Annual
Also available in French
and Spanish.
Introduction
to the Arts, Media, Culture section of the Connexions Annual
Introduction
to the Community, Urban, Housing section of the Connexions Annual
Introduction
to the Development, International section of the Connexions Annual
Introduction
to the Economy, Poverty, Work section of the Connexions Annual
Introduction
to the Education, Children section of the Connexions Annual
Introduction
to the Environment, Land Use, Rural section of the Connexions Annual
Introduction
to the Health section of the Connexions Annual
Introduction
to the Human Rights, Civil Liberties section of the Connexions Annual
Introduction
to the Lesbians, Gays section of the Connexions Annual
Introduction
to the Native Peoples section of the Connexions Annual
Introduction
to the Peace section of the Connexions Annual
Introduction
to the Women section of the Connexions Annual
Collected
Introductions to all sections of the Connexions Annual
Archival
index of organizations listed in the Connexions Directory/Connexions
Annual, including organizations that are now defunct.
Connexions Digest #48 (Winter 1989)
What
Do We Do Now? Building a Social Movement in the aftermath of Free
Frade
We have the potential to create a
social movement in this country that goes beyond single–issue organizing
to work toward an integrated vision of a more just and caring society.
Aussi disponible en français:
Maintenant
qu'est ce qu'on fait? Établir un mouvement social suite aux
conséquences du libre échange. También
disponible en español: ¿Que
hacemos ahora?Construir un Movimiento Social en el Resultado del
Libre Tratado. (CX4719).
Amnesty:
The Inside Story
How does Amnesty International
obtain its information? (CX4720).
A
Targeted Approach to Worker Co–op Development
Lessons from Mondragon and Northern Italy. (CX4721).
How
You Can Help Make A Difference
Strategies
for treading more lightly on the environment. (CX4722).
Voluntary
Simplicity
The rewards of leading a simple
life. (CX4723).
Network
News – Connexions Digest #48
Compiled ‘Network
News’ items published in the Connexions Digest #48.
Connexions Digest #47 (Volume 12, No. 1)
A
Fundraising Success
Fundraising is key
to any successful NGO operation: Advice on fundraising strategy.
(CX4711).
The
Extraodinary Myles Horton
An interview
with Myles Horton. (CX4712).
The
Raging Grannies
They don’t see war and
injustice as inevitable. (CX4713).
Setting
Up a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone
How to mobilize
a community to declare itself a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone. (CX4714).
Little
Brother Watches Back
A story about margins,
mainstream, and media criticism. (CX4715).
It Ain’t the Meeting, It’s the Motion
Group
process is crucial to our work for social change (CX4716).
One
Vote for Democracy
The ‘consensus’ model
of group decision–making rarely works well. The democratic model
is better both in principle and in practice
(CX4717).
Meetings:
Alexandra Devon Responds
How social change
collectives can be places where people are nurtured and empowered
to do the work they came together to do (CX4718).
Network
News – Connexions Digest #47
Compiled ‘Network
News’ items published in the Connexions Digest #47.
Connexions Digest #46 (Volume 11, No. 2) – Winter 1988
Managing
Volunteers, Building Consensus, Nurturing Creativity
(CX4707).
Conflict
Resolution in the Classroom
A curriculum
project. (CX4708).
Pressing
for Press
Creating media buzz and press
coverage for your story. (CX4709).
Overcoming
Male Oppression
Group problems to be aware of and challenge. (CX4710).
Network
News – Connexions Digest #46
Compiled ‘Network
News’ items published in the Connexions Digest #46.
Connexions Digest #45 (Volume 11, No. 1) –
Spring (April) 1987
The
March
An account of a peace march. (CX4702).
Making
their Voices Heard
An account of international
solidarity work in El Salvador. (CX4703).
Citizens
Groups Scores Success in Anti–lead Battle
Citizens fight lead pollution in
their neighbourhood. (CX4704).
Our
Little Victory
Organizing against Litton in Prince Edward Island. (CX4705).
Power
in Play
We need to reclaim play from childhood
memory and made a reality in everyday adult life. (CX4706).
Network
News – Connexions Digest #45
Compiled ‘Network
News’ items published in the Connexions Digest #45.
Connexions Digest #41 (Volume 9, No. 2) – Summer 1984
Rights
& Liberties
Connexions Digest #39 (Volume 8, No. 3–4) – Winter
1983/1984
What
Is Consensus?
Consensus allows us to recognize
our areas of agreement and act together without coercing one another.
(CX4701).
Connexions Digest #38 (Volume 8, No. 2) – 1983
Connexions Digest #37 (Volume 8, No. 1) – Spring 1983
Ways
and Means
Starting with this issue Connexions
will attempt to stimulate practical and theoretical sharing with
a new section called Ways and Means. In this section,
we hope that our readers will give us, and each other, the benefit
of their ideas and experiences on matters ranging from collective
process to fundraising, breaking down sex roles in groups to resolving
conflicts, decision–making to ways of giving each other mutual support.
(CX4728).
Meeting
Collectively
The Connexions collective
describes its way of holding meetings and recent changes to its
meeting process. (CX4729).
Connexions Digest #36 (Volume 7, No. 4) – December
1982
We’re
changing
Feedback from our readers leads
to changes in Connexions. (CX4727).
Connexions Index for March – December 1978
The
Canadian Information Sharing Service
Editorial
explaining that the Canadian Information Sharing Service has changed
the name of its publication to ‘Connexions’.
A
brief history of Connexions
The Connexions Digest: Quick Overview and History
The Connexions Digest was published in print
form from 1976 to 1992. The contents of the 54 issues of the Digest
which appeared during that time are gradually being made available
online. New materials are also being added as the Digest
assumes a new existence as an electronic resource.
The Connexions Digest was a social change
sourcebook which compiled, organized, and distributed information
about projects, groups, publications, and useful resources. The
core of the Digest through most of its history was a New
Resources section which abstracted publications, projects, and other
resources. The Digest also included articles about how to
work for change, a Network News section about events, projects,
and activities across Canada, and a variety of other useful information.
Materials were selected to appear in the Digest
based on the following criteria:
– They were based on a grassrots social change perspective, or they
contained information of direct value to people working for change.
– They related to Canada, or to international issues of concern
to Canadians. Most materials in the Digest originated in
Canada; materials published abroad were included if they were of
relevance, especially if no comparable Canadian publications existed.
All items appearing in the Digest were numbered
and indexed. Each issue contained a Name Index and a Keyword (Subject)
Index. Cumulative indexes were also published.
Bibliographic
Note: The Connexions Digest appeared in
print under three names. The initial name of the project and the
publication was Canadian Information Sharing Service (CISS). In
1978, the name of the publication was changed to Connexions (ISSN
0708–9422); in early 1979, the name of the publishing collective
was also changed to Connexions. Connexions acquired the sub–title
"A Digest of Resources and Groups for Social Change" in 1983. In
1989, the masthead and flag were changed to read "The Connexions
Digest: A Social Change Sourcebook". With issue #50 (December 1989)
the ISSN changed to 0845–874X.
A
brief history of Connexions
|
