Points of Departure

by Apathy is Boring Intern Patrick Burkhard — August 1, 2007

    So you have made the decision to get involved or you are simply looking for fresh and new voices on an issue?  Great!  We here at Apathy Is Boring applaud your decision to become more politically conscious and in the process more aware of the world around you.

    Let’s not kid ourselves though; the world we live in is huge.  While global forces of change and things like the internet are all bringing us closer together, it can be confusing to find a place of entry into political, social, and community life.  Thus, we present a few points of departure for you.  The below links are all divided by general topic.  Take a look around, because you never know what you may find that might interest you in some way. 

    One note of caution:  We at Apathy Is Boring in no way, shape, or form take any responsibility for positions or statements made on any of these pages.  Apathy Is Boring is a non-partisan venture.  This means we don’t take sides, being on either the “right” or “left” on the political spectrum.  Nor do we endorse any official political parties.  Our goal is to create dialogue, to get people to think politically and engage their minds.  The links we have provided will point you to a variety of organizations which represent various viewpoints.  Some of these organizations are our partners, some are not.  AisB presenting a link is not an endorsement of a position or us taking sides on an issue.  We are attempting to offer and show you possible places to go for differing views.  It is up to you to decide who is in the right here!  So relax, take a poke around, and also remember, what we present here is only a starting point.  Our links are by no means exhaustive.  And if you have some to add, let us know! Enjoy!

General 

8 Goals for a Better World
8goals.ca/about_us.html
This is part of a worldwide campaign aimed at countering global poverty and came out of the United Nations Millennium Summit.  A great place to look for information on international issues.

Taking it Global
takingitglobal.org/
This group acts to connect Youth around the world in their initiatives and actions using internet technology.

Alternatives (Alternatives, Action and Communication Network for International Development)
www.alternatives.ca/?lang=en
The organization is a great place for alternative voices on international issues.  It works on a range of diverse projects and has a really interesting website.  This is a grassroots non-profit organization concerned with social justice.
 
The Otesha Project
www.otesha.ca/
A very interesting project concerned with sustainability and looking at demonstrating the links between our individual actions and the world around us.

OneWorld.ca
www.oneworld.ca/
This website presents news and information from social justice networks and movements across Canada.  It brings together over 100 different civil society organizations in Canada.

Canadian Commission for UNESCO
www.unesco.ca/
Check this one out if you are looking for a venture affiliated more along government lines.  This is the official Canadian section of UNESCO, a United Nations organization which does some interesting work the world over. 

Women’s Rights

Womennet.ca
www.womennet.ca/about.php
I love sites like this which do all of the work for me!  It has a database of over 2500 national women’s organizations.  It also has different sections for each province.  A great place to look no matter your interest.

Power Camp National
www.powercampnational.ca/
An organization aimed at empowering girls and young women.  Very youth friendly and orientated.

Kick Action
www.kickaction.ca/
This group provides an online community for girls and women who are working for change in the world.  There are a number of resources, and it is also a place to share stories and experiences.

Federation des Femmes du Quebec
www.ffq.qc.ca/
Very well known women’s organization which operates in Quebec.  It presents tons of information as well as opportunities to get involved.

Ophelia’s Voice
www.freewebs.com/opheliasvoice/
This is an organization run out of Alberta, aimed at empowering and educating young girls.

Status of Women Canada
www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/
This is a federal government agency which promotes gender equality and the full participation of women in society.  It has a ton of publications and other information.   

The Environment

Sierra Youth Coalition
www.syc-cjs.org/tiki-index.php
The youth section of the Sierra Club of Canada, a very well established environmental group. 

Environmental Youth Alliance
www.eya.ca/index.php?id=2
A great organization with a direct youth perspective on this issue.  The organization is well established and even won an award in BC for its activities.

Greenpeace
www.greenpeace.org/canada/
Probably one of the most well known environmental groups on the planet.  Very well known both for its extreme tactics as well as being completely funded without government assistance of any kind.

World Wildlife Fund
www.wwf.ca/
Also one of the big boys of environmental activism around the world.  They are involved in a vast number of projects. 

Friends of the Earth Canada
www.foecanada.org/
Another well established organization and good place to get your feet wet in the fight against climate change and protecting the environment

Poverty

Canadian Coalition to End Global Poverty
www.ccic.ca/e/002/trade.shtml
A good initiative working for international poverty relief.  This is quite a large organization and due to its nature is a good place to see all of the different actors involved in this issue.

End Poverty Now
www.endpovertynow.ca/welcome.html
The official website of the End Poverty Now campaign. 

The Poverty and Human Rights Centre
www.povertyandhumanrights.org/
An awesome place to look for publications and materials concerning the struggle to eradicate poverty around the world.

Make Poverty History
www.makepovertyhistory.ca/
This is a pretty high profile campaign which has been launched in Canada.  As can be seen from the front page of their site, they have enjoyed some nice celebrity partnerships (Canadian of course).

The Canadian Council on Social Development
www.ccsd.ca/home.htm
More of a think-tank style approach than a grassroots organization.  A great place to look for publications as well as information on getting involved. 

Campaign 2000
www.campaign2000.ca/
This campaign is what launched a major initiative over a decade ago to eradicate poverty by year….2000.  So yeah, that obviously did not happen, which is even more of a reason to try and make a difference.

Democracy

In the Name of Democracy
inthenameofdemocracy.org/?q=node/16
A group with an activist orientation.  You can find a lot of research via this website.  Very concerned with “democracy promotion” in the developing world. 

Canada, Democracy and International Law
www.candil.org/home/index.php
Another organization concerned with the promotion of democracy, however this one is strongly influenced by the promotion of international law as a means of democracy promotion. 

Right and Democracy
www.dd-rd.ca/site/home/index.php
The organization has an international focus and is a non-partisan organization concerned with democratic development across the globe.  It has connections and projects running around the world.

The North-South Institute
www.nsi-ins.ca/
Concerned with the relations between the North and Southern parts of the world and the influence of democracy in this process.

The Council of Canadians
www.canadians.org/
This group is concerned with promoting and safeguarding the democratic rights of all Canadians.

Democracy Watch
www.dwatch.ca/
This group acts as a watchdog over governments as well as corporations, trying to protect the democratic rights of citizens.

Immigrant Justice

Solidarity Across Borders
www.solidarityacrossborders.org/
An activist coalition or umbrella organization aimed at exposing some of the injustices faced by newly landed immigrants.  Notable for its march from Montreal to Ottawa to draw attention to the issue  .

STATUS – Regularize Non-Status Immigrants 
http://www.ocasi.org/status/index.asp
A campaign for the recognition of persons in Canada who do not have official status.

The Canadian Council for Refugees
www.ccrweb.ca/
An umbrella group which works for the promotion and protection of refugees and their rights within Canada.  It even has a youth network! Started by youth! YEAH!!!!
 
Direct Action Against Refugee Exploitation
www.harbour.sfu.ca/freda/reports/daare.htm
This page contains some pretty striking statements and a ton of information concerning the perils faced by newly landed immigrants in Canada. 

No One is Illegal
toronto.nooneisillegal.org/
A very high profile campaign influenced heavily by an anarchist/activist orientation.  There are established groups in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver as well as other cities in Canada.  The link provided is for the Toronto chapter which contains links to all other pages.

Youth Issues

Canada 25
canada25.com/
Non-profit, non-partisan organization that brings the voices and ideas of Canadians, aged 20-35, to the nation's public policy discourse and takes action on issues of local and national significance.

Canada World Youth
www.cwy-jcm.org/
An organization aimed at providing educational resources for the education of youth through direct experience.

Rock and Roll Revival
www.rockandrollrevival.org/
Rock and Roll Revival is a grassroots movement based in Ottawa. Its goals are to combine music, art, activism, and education while giving people (young and old) a sense of community and empowerment. They believe that this is the first step toward a positive change in ourselves and our society.

World Youth Assembly
www.youthassembly.ca/dnn/
This is actually happening this year, 2007, in Edmonton, Alberta.  Check out the site for taking part as well as for other information and links. 

Ookpik.org
www.ookpik.org/peers/networks_list.aspx
This is an organization for Arctic youth – to share experiences with other Canadians as well as to share and provide connections with other youth in the Arctic.


Military

Canadian Peace Alliance
www.acp-cpa.ca/en/index.html
This is a large umbrella organization for peace groups in Canada.  It is concerned with promoting peace and countering war around the world. 

Centre for Non-Proliferation Studies
cns.miis.edu/index.htm
This group takes a more formal look at the issue of weapons and the military.  A great place for contemporary opinions – even though it is an American site, it is quite interesting and has some commentary on Canada. 

Canadian Military Journal
www.journal.forces.gc.ca/
This is a good place to look to see official opinion on issues facing and concerning Canada and its military. 

Canada out of Afghanistan
canadaoutofafghanistan.ca/index.html
The name itself says a lot – but this organization has been involved in many movements and protests against the war on terror. 

Canadian Defense and Foreign Affairs Institute
www.cdfai.org/
A think-tank type approach, but this institute presents a huge amount of analysis on the current military and defense issues in Canada. 

Native/Aboriginal Issues

Innu Nation
www.innu.ca/
This resource provides information on many differing issues within the context of aboriginal rights.

Assembly of First Nations
www.afn.ca/
This site contains a large amount of information about ways to get involved as well as analysis documents. 

Reclamation Info
www.reclamationinfo.com/
Information concerning outstanding land claims as well as other native disputes. 

The Turtle Island Native Network
www.turtleisland.org/
This site provides an insane amount of information as well as resources and links to other sites.  There is also some specific information for youth.

Solidarity with Six Nations
sisis.nativeweb.org/
This site documents and provides information concerning the large number of native protests and blockages in recent years. 

Employment/Business/Money

Youth Employment Services Toronto
www.yes.on.ca/asp/index_wf.asp
A website concerning youth employment services – for employers and youth in Toronto.

Youth Employment Strategy
www.youth.gc.ca/yoaux.jsp?&lang=en&flash=1&ta=1&auxpageid=706
The Canadian government website has a ton of information for youth concerning employment, budgeting as well as saving and spending.  This is a big recommended link concerning savings/money as well as finance for youth.

NextSteps.org
www.nextsteps.org/
Another organization concerned with youth and employment opportunities.

Youth Employment Services Montreal
www.yesmontreal.ca/yes.php
A service out of Montreal concerned with aiding and giving skills and employment to youth.

Conservatism

Free Dominion –The Voice of Principled Conservatism www.freedominion.ca/phpBB2/portal.php?sid=5c68c10971720acce61c007e3d9d9457
This is a site with a clear conservative outlook.  Please check out the “LINKS” tab at the top for a wealth of web pages to visit on everything conservative

C2C – Canada’s Journal of Ideas
www.c2cjournal.ca/
A journal which writes on a variety of topics and issues, with a clear conservative influence. 

The Manning Centre
www.manningcentre.ca/en
A conservative centre for media as well as articles and other documents. 

Canadian Conservative Forum
www.conservativeforum.org/
This website has a large number of essays as well as quotations and lots of other stuff from a conservative viewpoint.

Think Tanks

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
www.policyalternatives.ca/
Think tank view coming out of Ottawa, Canada.

Caledon Institute
www.caledoninst.org/
A think tank with a moderate view.

Montreal Economic Institute
www.iedm.org/home_en.html
Another think-tank with a non-partisan outlook

The Fraser Institute
www.fraserinstitute.ca/
A think-tank which is extremely supportive of market principles and market led initiatives. 

The C.D Howe Institute
www.cdhowe.org/
Yet another think-tank to get some opinions. 

Institute for Research In Public Policy
www.irpp.org
Non-partisan think-tank.


Other Places to Search

    Well it seems in attempting to bring together a list of non-partisan and all inclusive issues, trying to appease and present a balance of issues is quite difficult.  These issues were chosen because they are all commonly cited areas of policy concern for youth in Canada.  Beyond this however, youth are affected by so many other issues and concerns, especially given the diversity in Canada and the multiplicity of political views held by our populace.  We at Apathy Is Boring are non-partisan, and as such it is difficult to present opinions from all aspects of society.  So if you are suffering from a case of Western Alienation or  are a Separatist Quebecer, we do respect your views, we just haven't yet covered them. If you want to contribute content, please get in touch with us!

Don’t like any of the organizations we have suggested?  Well check out this webpage then and look into making your own organization:  http://ngoinabox.org/ - here you will find a ton of resources which could be helpful in starting your own initiative.