Describes the community adult education activities at the Westerra Institute of Technology in Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada. Demonstrates the utility of Stephen Brookfield's conceptual model of community adult education. (JOW)

Addresses the need to make urban forestry information and resources available and understandable to everyone in an effort to organize and educate communities. The seemingly hidden aspects of the urban ecosystem are examined; and a sidebar looks at the air, carbon, and energy cycles and sustaining quality of life, in particular. (LZ)

Outlines six steps for building local coalitions aimed at stopping community dioxin exposure. Discusses the dangers of dioxin exposure and the advantages of coalition-building. (LZ)

Challenges the assumption that disagreement among environmental experts is a rare occurrence and suggests the public offers valuable expertise that should be included in the environmental decision-making process. Looks at forms of bias and methods for improving the quality of technical knowledge and expertise. Sidebars discuss actual conflicts.…

Although parent involvement is essential, state education agencies have provided little financial support for staff and programs needed to improve school-family connections. This article discusses elements of good parent involvement programs and describes several successful examples. Advice is given for creating and managing school volunteer…

A high school principal describes a 48-hour plan he constructed to deal with adolescent suicide. Essential steps include activating the emergency contact chain used for school closings, enlisting community support, relaying the facts, refusing to glorify the suicide, helping staff help students, and evaluating the plan. (four references) (MLH)

Gatekeepers, or nontraditional referral sources, have proven to be an effective means of case finding and outreach for mental health needs of isolated senior citizens. A two-year project administered by county public health department found the gatekeeper concept to be an effective means of case finding in the public health setting. (ABL)

This description of the Canadian government's assessment of the social impact of hydrocarbon exploration in the Arctic demonstrates barriers to citizen involvement: ad hoc nature, travel and child care problems, and lack of enough volunteers. Recommendations for community participation in impact assessment are given. (SK)

This primary health care model is based on four assumptions: emphasis on collective, not individual, needs; coordination of preventive/episodic care with secondary/tertiary care; comprehensive, holistic approach; and partnership and equality among professional disciplines and community members. Stakeholders involved are medical, nursing, and…

Discusses how to get a community to participate in educational facility development that is effective provided one starts with a format that is fun. It presents a sequence of workshops that have been proven successful in developing community participation. (GR)

Discusses a variety of issues that face the disabled community such as discrimination, physical accessibility, language, and community involvement. Stresses the importance of meaningful community inclusion of marginalized groups. (JOW)

At century's end, educators confront numerous "wicked" problems (like juvenile violence) that resist their best programs and cleverest organizational schemes. Such problems require the entire community to take responsibility for working through conflicting motives and perceptions. Hosting public-engagement forums builds capacity for…

Community involvement in the creation of a sculptural monument in an English village illustrated the relationship between the relevance of an activity to participants and the value of learning. The importance of giving people support and control over their environment was demonstrated. (SK)

Describes the efforts of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity's barrio residents to protect, represent, and help its troubled youth in Puerto Rico. Discusses various projects and activities created to involve youngsters in the community parish. (YKH)

Concept mapping of case studies resulted in nine organizational domains for community empowerment: participation, leadership, organizational structures, problem assessment, resource mobilization, critical awareness, linkages, outside agents, and program management. The domains provide a way to define and measure empowerment. (Contains 45…