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 IndexConnexions Subject IndexSearch 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 #13 - April 1978
CISS April 1978
Volume III Issue 2
Content consists of abstracts relating to northern development, economy, resources, community, human rights, and media.


Connexions Digest
Issue #14 - June 1978
CISS June 1978
Volume III Issue 3
Content consists of abstracts relating to the economy, labour, human rights, resources, community and education.


Connexions Digest
Issue #15 - August 1978
CISS August 1978
Volume III Issue 4
Content consists of abstracts relating to economy, resources, human rights, prison, native people, education and community.


Connexions Digest
Issue #16 - September 1978
CISS September 1978
Volume III Issue 5
Content consists of abstracts relating to the economy, labour, human rights, community and education.


Connexions Digest
Issue #17 - December 1978
Unemployment/Chomage
CISS December 1978
Volume III Issue 6
Content consists of abstracts relating to the economy, unemployment, resources, human rights, women, and community.


Connexions Digest
Issue #18 - February 1979
National Security
Connexions February 1979
Volume IV Issue 1
Content consists of abstracts relating to the subject of National Security. Additional subjects include resources, labour, human rights, economy and women.


Connexions Digest
Issue #19 - March 1979
Native Rights
Connexions March 1979
Volume IV Issue 2
Content consists of abstracts relating to Native Rights. Additional subjects include human rights, women, labour, resources, energy, lifestyle, and education.


Connexions Digest
Issue #20 - May 1979
Immigration
Connexions May 1979
Volume IV Issue 3
Content consists of abstracts relating to Immigration. Additional subjects include human rights, native people, labour, economy, resources, and eduction.


Connexions Digest
Issue #21 - September 1979
Food
Connexions September 1979
Volume IV Issue 4
Content consists of abstracts relating to the subject of Food. Additional subjects include resources, human rights, labour, community, and education.


Connexions Digest
Issue #22 - October 1979
Nuclear Energy
Connexions October 1979
Volume IV Issue 5
Content consists of abstracts relating to Nuclear Energy. Additional subjects include human rights, economy, education, labour, and church.


Connexions Digest
Issue #23 - January 1980
Literacy
Connexions January 1980
Volume V Issue 1
Content consists of abstracts relating to Literacy. Additional subjects include the economy, labour, human rights, and community.


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 #25 - September 1980
Racism
Connexions September 1980
Volume V Issue 3
Content consists of abstracts relating to Racism. Additional subjects include the economy, resources, labour, and human rights.


Connexions Digest
Issue #26 - October 1980
Health
Connexions October 1980
Volume V Issue 4
Content consists of abstracts relating to Health. Additional subjects include human rights, women, energy, education, and the environment.


Connexions Digest
Issue #27 - January 1981
Militarism
Connexions January 1981
Volume V Issue 5
Content consists of abstracts relating to Militarism. Additional subjects include the economy, labour, energy, women, education, and community.


Connexions Digest
Issue #28 - February 1981
Lesbians / Gay Men
Connexions February 1981
Volume VI Issue 1
Content consists of abstracts relating to Lesbians and Gay Men. Additional subjects include labour, the environment, and community.


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.


Canadian Information Sharing Service

Index #1
A separately published index of Contributors, Titles, and Subjects from the first year of the Canadian Information Sharing Service (February 1976 to March 1977. Vol.I, Nos.1-6.)


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