Publications

The Carold Institute’s publications explore key questions related to democracy, citizenship, globalization, volunteerism, and civil society.

CKX Questions Podcast and Platform (2019-2022)

CKX Questions was created as a space to explore the questions at the heart of social and civic change. Through conversations with practitioners, community leaders, and thinkers, it invited reflection on what it means to build more just and participatory futures.

In response to a changing world, particularly the events of 2020, the platform evolved to centre care, lived experience, and human connection. It expanded beyond a podcast into a broader storytelling platform, welcoming diverse voices and forms of expression, including audio, writing, and artistic contributions.

CKX Questions is part of the legacy of the Community Knowledge Exchange, reflecting a commitment to inquiry, dialogue, and collective learning in support of more just and inclusive futures.

Find the podcast here

What Time Is It?
A Dialogue Among Carold Fellows (2017)

In 2017, the Carold Institute marked the tenth anniversary of the Alan Thomas Fellowship by inviting fellows to a three day retreat at the Coady Institute in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Together, they engaged in focused reflection on questions emerging from their fellowship experience, including how to expand access to the program for community advocates and activists, how to attract a more diverse group of fellows, and how to support collaboration across regions and sectors to strengthen collective impact on social policy in Canada.

The resulting report, What Time Is It? A Dialogue Among Carold Fellows, shares the reflections and outcomes from this gathering.

See the video documentary series here.

Staying True, Staying the Course (2009)

By Michael Clague, Leslie Kemp, and Juliet Huntly

Lessons from ten successful community service organizations in British Columbia between 1997 and 2008.

Buy it on Amazon.

Building Local and Global Democracy (2007)

Can democracy be renewed? How can it become more participatory and inclusive?

Building Local and Global Democracy describes the causes of the recentmdemocratic deficit, and local and global efforts to counter it.

Examining governance among indigenous people in British Columbia, the barriers to democratic participation experienced by women of colour in Toronto, participatory budgeting in a Brazilian city, and more, Building Local and Global Democracy shows how local and global realities affect citizen engagement in their democracies.

Download the report.

Citizenship and Globalization (2002)

Citizenship and Globalization summarizes a 2002 Carold symposium on the democratic worldviews of social movements, and how they drive positive change.

It also summarizes the remarks of the event’s four speakers: John Foster of the North South Institute on human rights; Lorraine Guay of the World March of Women on women; Elizabeth May of the Sierra Club of Canada on the environment; and Nancy Neamtan of le Chantier de l’economie social on the social economy.

Want to dive deeper? Read the four background papers from the speakers:

• “The World March of Women: A Political Action to Transform the World” by Lorraine Guay

• “Human Rights” by John W. Foster

• “Citizenship and Globalization: Exploring Participation and Democracy in a Global Context” by Elizabeth May

• “The Social and Solidarity Economy: Towards an Alternative Globalisation” by Nancy Neamtan

Download the report.

Voluntary Action and Organization in Canada (1999)

The 1990s were a time of political and societal change in Canada, marked by government cutbacks and increasing demands on health, social service, and community agencies.

Voluntary Action and Organization in Canada compiles reflections from nonprofit sector leaders on how the sector can remain vibrant and continue to contribute to Canada’s civil society.

Download the report.