This website is a resource for those interested in using information and commmunication technologies to strengthen communities. In developed countries, such an effort could restore the lost social capital (willingness of neighbors/citizens to help each other and work together) by building more effective social networks. We believe that improved designs could better support social networks, restore trust, increase reciprocity, support economic development, promote civil society, and make for happier citizens.

In developing countries the ravages of famine, wars, natural disasters, and oppressive rulers make the need to build strong communities greater, but the resources smaller.

This website contains data about communities, reports on existing online projects, organizations, and bibliographic resources.

See the overview page on the SIGCHI Site: New Challenges for SIGCHI and ACM Members.

Sub-Topic Areas: ORGANIZATIONS (20) - PROJECTS (20) - RESOURCES (5) -

• Electronic democracy
  2001-11-13 Varley, Pamela Technology Review 94, 42-51.
• The Internet and civil society
  2001-11-13 Levine, Peter
• Yakety-Yak, Do Talk Back!
  2001-11-13 Van Tassel, Joan Wired Magazine

1. Accessibility Internet Rallies by Knowbility.Org United States, Texas, Colorado, California
   Sharron Rush 2002-01-30 Knowbility.Org srush@knowbility.org
   One day web competitions that educate web designers about accessibility and nonprofit organizations, and get nonprofit organizations much-needed, high quality web sites. Welcomes suggestions for AIR events in other cities.
2. AmeriCorps VISTA: Bridge the Digital Divide
   2001-11-13 AmeriCorps
   "Start the new millennium by bringing the advantage of technology to some of our neediest communities"
3. Benton Foundation
   2001-11-13 benton@benton.org
   "The Benton Foundation works to realize the social benefits made possible by the public interest use of communications."
4. Community Foundation Silicon Valley
   2001-11-13
   Community foundations support charitable activities focused primarily on local needs -- those of a particular town, county, or state.
5. Critical Infrastructure Assurance: Information and Communications
   2001-11-13 U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
6. Digital Divide Network
   2001-11-13
   Offers a range of information, tools and resources that help practitioners stay on top of digital divide developments. It also serves as forum where practitioners can share their experiences with colleagues around the world.
7. Donum Spanish English Argentina, Buenos Aires
   Esteban Trento 2004-10-01 Donum info@donum.org.ar
   Donum is a non-profit organization devoted to promote volunteerism among young students.
8. Falling Through the Net
   2001-11-13 U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
   information about efforts to provide all Americans with access to the Internet and other information technologies as well as reports and information about what has been called the "digital divide."
9. Global volunteers for Nepal English Nepal, Kathmandu
   Bishal Paudel 2007-01-21 Volunteer for Community Development Nepal-Global volunteers for Nepal volunteer@vcdnepal.org.np
   VCD Nepal (Volunteer for Community Development - Nepal) is an officially registered non-governmental volunteer organization. It is a non-profitable organization, registered with the social welfare council. Our mission is to increase awareness of the importance of the English language in Nepal, and to facilitate the learning of English. We arrange placements of English teachers in rural government schools and communities. We also send trained volunteers to remote parts of Nepal to promote community awareness with regard to environmental and primary health issues, income-generating activities and sanitation.
10. National Urban League
    2001-11-13
    "The mission of the Urban League movement is to enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity and power and civil rights."
11. NetAid Online Volunteering United States, New York, New York
    United Nations Volunteers 2002-01-30 NetAid volunteers@netaid.org
    Online volunteering opportunities for NGOs working in or for developing countries.
12. Non Government Organization Indonesia, South Sulawesi, Makassar
    IqRa & Ivana 2003-07-17 Global Social Strengthening Network iqra@glassnet.zzn.com
    Glassnet advocates comprehensive sustainable development, an approach which addresses the ecological, economic, cultural, social, human, and spiritual aspects of development. As a network it also seeks to advance social strengthening and spiritual solidarity, referring to either the resistance of civil society to totalitarian tendencies in the state and market or, where appropriate, the critical engagement of civil society with business and government to solve social problems in an atmosphere of principled cooperation and mutual respect.
13. Online volunteering opportunities. Netherlands
    George Hoogendoorn 2004-05-13 NABUUR Foundation george@nabuur.com
    Local communities in developing countries get a Village web site on this site. Visitors are invited to become virtual neighbors of these Villages and help to solve their problems.
14. Partnerships Online: Creating Online Communities for neighbourhoods and networks
    2001-11-13
    "How to use the Internet to build networks and benefit communities - particularly neighbourhoods and villages."
15. PowerUp
    2001-11-13
    PowerUP's mission - to bridge the digital divide - involves focus and commitment to meet the needs of young people in the digital age.
16. U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration
    2001-11-13 U.S. Department of Commerce
    "the Executive Branch's principal voice on domestic and international telecommunications and information technology issues."
17. United Nations Development Program
    2001-11-13
    A trusted source of knowledge-based advice and an advocate of a more inclusive global economy, UNDP provides funds; helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively; and promotes South-South cooperation. It seeks to address the many causes of poverty and to promote development, including through the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women.
18. United Nations Information Technology Service
    2001-11-13
    The United Nations Information Technology Service (UNITeS) is a global volunteer initiative that allows volunteers from any country to give their skills and time to extend the opportunities of the digital revolution to developing countries.
19. Virtual Volunteering Project United States, Texas, Austin
    LBJ School of Public Affairs 2002-01-30 University of Texas at Austin vv@serviceleader.org
    Resources that encourage and support the development of volunteering activities that can take place via the Internet.
20. Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA)
    2001-11-13
    For over four decades VITA has empowered the poor in developing countries by providing access to information and knowledge, strengthening local institutions and introducing improved technologies.

Copyright © 2007 Gary Perlman

1. Accessibility Internet Rallies by Knowbility.Org United States, Texas, Colorado, California
   Sharron Rush 2002-01-30 Knowbility.Org srush@knowbility.org
   One day web competitions that educate web designers about accessibility and nonprofit organizations, and get nonprofit organizations much-needed, high quality web sites. Welcomes suggestions for AIR events in other cities.
2. BetterTogether Story Collector
   Kate Lockwood 2001-11-13 University of Michigan School of Information
   BetterTogether.org is an initiative of the Saguaro Seminar on Civic Engagement in America
3. Blacksburg Electronic Village United States, Virginia, Balcksburg
   2001-11-13 Virginia Tech
   an outreach project of Virginia Tech, the Blacksburg Electronic Village serves the local community
4. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community
   Robert D. Putnam 2001-11-13
   "Putnam shows how we have become increasingly disconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and our democratic structures-- and how we may reconnect."
5. Citizen agenda-setting: The electronic collection and synthesis of public commentary in the regulatory rulemaking process
   Shulman, S. 2001-11-13
6. City of Santa Monica Official Homepage
   2001-11-13
7. Community@Work: Rethinking How We Help Young People
   Mario Morino 2001-11-13 Morino Institute
8. Democracy in the Digital Age: Challenges to Political Life in Cyberspace United States, New York, New York
   Wilhelm, Anthony G. 2001-11-13 Routledge
9. DIAC-2000 Shaping the Network Society
   2001-11-13
   a member of the Global 2000 Virtual Community Coalition
10. Donum Spanish English Argentina, Buenos Aires
    Esteban Trento 2004-10-01 Donum info@donum.org.ar
    Donum is a non-profit organization devoted to promote volunteerism among young students.
11. Electronic democracy
    Varley, Pamela 2001-11-13 Technology Review 94, 42-51.
12. Forum One Communications United States, Virginia, Alexandria
    2001-11-13 Forum One Communications jcashel@forumone.com
    helps people and organizations use the Internet to make a difference. We will work with you through the entire Internet life cycle - from strategic planning through design, development and ongoing management of dynamic websites.
13. From Access to Outcomes: Raising the Aspirations for Technology Initiatives in Low-Income Communities
    Mario Morino 2001-11-13 Morino Institute
14. Global volunteers for Nepal English Nepal, Kathmandu
    Bishal Paudel 2007-01-21 Volunteer for Community Development Nepal-Global volunteers for Nepal volunteer@vcdnepal.org.np
    VCD Nepal (Volunteer for Community Development - Nepal) is an officially registered non-governmental volunteer organization. It is a non-profitable organization, registered with the social welfare council. Our mission is to increase awareness of the importance of the English language in Nepal, and to facilitate the learning of English. We arrange placements of English teachers in rural government schools and communities. We also send trained volunteers to remote parts of Nepal to promote community awareness with regard to environmental and primary health issues, income-generating activities and sanitation.
15. Online volunteering opportunities. Netherlands
    George Hoogendoorn 2004-05-13 NABUUR Foundation george@nabuur.com
    Local communities in developing countries get a Village web site on this site. Visitors are invited to become virtual neighbors of these Villages and help to solve their problems.
16. Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America
    Robert D. Putnam 2001-11-13 Harvard University Kennedy School of Government
    The project focuses on expanding what we know about our levels of trust and community engagement and on developing strategies and efforts to increase this engagement.
17. Seattle Community Network United States, Washington, Seattle
    Doug Schuler 2001-11-13
18. Social Capital Community Survey
    2001-11-13
    In the survey, we look at how connected we are to family, friends, neighbors and civic institutions on a local and national level. These connections - our Social Capital - are the glue that hold us together and enable us to build bridges to others. This project will assist residents in each of our local communities as they work to build stronger communities and strengthen community bonds.
19. The Internet and civil society
    Levine, Peter 2001-11-13
20. Yakety-Yak, Do Talk Back!
    Van Tassel, Joan 2001-11-13 Wired Magazine

Copyright © 2007 Gary Perlman

1. Disaster Preparedness 101 - The Ultimate Guide to Emergency Readiness United States, Georgia, Atlanta
   Paul Purcell 2004-08-17 disasterprep101@aol.com
   "Disaster Prep 101" is an emergency readiness text covering aspects of natural disaster and terrorism preparedness for civilian individuals and families. It also focuses on the formation and organization of neighborhood watch and volunteer groups.
2. Non Government Organization Indonesia, South Sulawesi, Makassar
   IqRa & Ivana 2003-07-17 Global Social Strengthening Network iqra@glassnet.zzn.com
   Glassnet advocates comprehensive sustainable development, an approach which addresses the ecological, economic, cultural, social, human, and spiritual aspects of development. As a network it also seeks to advance social strengthening and spiritual solidarity, referring to either the resistance of civil society to totalitarian tendencies in the state and market or, where appropriate, the critical engagement of civil society with business and government to solve social problems in an atmosphere of principled cooperation and mutual respect.
3. Seattle Community Network United States, Washington, Seattle
   Doug Schuler 2001-11-13
4. Social Capital Community Survey
   2001-11-13
   In the survey, we look at how connected we are to family, friends, neighbors and civic institutions on a local and national level. These connections - our Social Capital - are the glue that hold us together and enable us to build bridges to others. This project will assist residents in each of our local communities as they work to build stronger communities and strengthen community bonds.
5. Virtual Volunteering Project United States, Texas, Austin
   LBJ School of Public Affairs 2002-01-30 University of Texas at Austin vv@serviceleader.org
   Resources that encourage and support the development of volunteering activities that can take place via the Internet.

Copyright © 2007 Gary Perlman