Social Economy
Volume 8 - Number 2
Horizons
February 2006

This issue of Horizons continues the exploration of the social economy in Canada, and strives to answer the interrelated questions: why should governments be interested in the social economy, and what is the appropriate role for government in this field? The articles in this issue are not intended to update readers on what exactly the social economy entails. Viewpoints in this regard differ, reflecting the great diversity of experience across Canada in this area. Rather, the aim is to help readers gain a better understanding of the different guises and areas of activity of this organizational form, which borrows from market practices and principles, as well as from both the government delivery of public services approach and the community model used by non-profit organizations.

Social Capital in Action
Thematic Studies on Politics
September 2005

The project established interdepartmental working groups to oversee the development of a series of thematic policy studies by experts on the best available evidence in areas of strategic importance to the Government of Canada. Eight specific policy and program areas are examined in a Canadian context: poverty reduction, healthy aging, settlement of new immigrants, educational outcomes of Aboriginal youth, youth civic engagement, community crime prevention, policing in First Nations communities, and the role of local associations in community development.

Measurement of Social Capital
Reference Document
September 2005

This report provides an analysis of efforts to measure social capital and concludes with key recommendations for future measurement efforts in a public policy context.

Social Capital as a Public Policy Tool
Project Report
September 2005

This report provides a synthesis of the key findings from the PRI social capital project in the areas of conceptualization, implications for public policy, and measurement efforts.

Social Capital: A Tool for Public Policy
Briefing Note
September 2005

This note provides a concise and accessible executive summary of the Project's findings and recommendations.

Expert Workshop on the Measurement of Social Capital for Public Policy
Synthesis Report
June 2004

This document is a synthesis report from the Expert workshop on measuring social capital for public policy purposes, held on June 8th, 2004. It provides an outline of the presentations and discussions held by the experts . The exercise was to identify essential elements of a "toolbox" for analyzing social capital for purposes of developing and assessing government programs and policies.

The Opportunity and Challenge of Diversity: A Role for Social Capital?
Synthesis Report
March 2004

Included in this synthesis report of the PRI-OECD international conference, is an overview of the conference proceedings. In addition, Meyer Burstein, a policy expert in the field of immigrant integration, as well as a co-founder of the Metropolis Project, has provided a comprehensive analysis of the conference proceedings and of the potential policy role for social capital in this field.

Exploring the Promise of Asset-Based Social Policies
Synthesis Report
February 2004

The report provides a synthesis of the key issues discussed at a conference held in December 2003. The participants at the conference learned from existing research, policy, and practice in the area of asset-building and low-income savings, and had a chance to assess critically the appropriateness, merit, and applicability of an asset–based approach to social policy in Canada.

Social Capital
Volume 6 - Number 3
Horizons
November 2003

From the role of social networks in securing employment to the strengthening of community resilience in the face of economic challenges, the Horizons issue on social capital highlights preliminary findings from the PRI's Social Capital project, as well as bringing to the fore recent social capital research from Australia, New Zealand, and across Canada.