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Capital as a Public Policy Tool
Project
Conclusion
Social
Capital as a Public Policy Tool - Project Conclusion
Policy Research Initiative
Pricy Council of the Government of Canada
Presentation
The PRI has recently released the final publications from
its social capital project. What is social capital? Who benefits
– and who does not? Is there a role for government?
How can we measure it? Examining the potential of the concept
of social capital to inform policy development and evaluation,
the publications offer a clear framework for the analysis
of the concept, identify policy and program areas where social
capital makes a difference, and offer a strategic set of recommendations
for testing new approaches, improved measurement, and policy
action.
Key messages
Individuals and groups can sometimes obtain needed
resources and support from their network of social ties. These
networks constitute their social capital.
Social capital may be an important but underestimated
component of the well being of Canadians. In combination with
other human and financial resources, social capital can significantly
influence their social, economic, and political participation.
Government policies and programs inevitably affect
patterns of social capital development. Taking this into account
more systematically could make a significant difference in
the achievement of various policy objectives.
Social capital has particularly important implications
for three key areas of public policy: helping populations
at risk of social exclusion, supporting key life-course transitions,
and promoting community development.
Download documents
On the PRI's web site, the following publications are available
for free download:
Social Capital: A Tool for Public Policy. Briefing Note.
Provides a concise and accessible executive summary of the
Project's findings and recommendations.
Social Capital as a Public Policy Tool. Project Report.
Provides a detailed synthesis of the activities, findings,
and recommendations.
Social Capital in Action. Thematic Policy Studies.
Provides an investigation of the role of social capital in
eight specific policy areas: poverty reduction, aging well,
settlement of new immigrants, education outcomes of Aboriginal
youth, youth civic engagement, community crime prevention,
policing in First Nations communities, community development.
Measurement of Social Capital. Reference Document for Public
Policy Research, Development, and Evaluation.
Provides a series of indicators, measurement tools and methodological
strategies, to investigate social capital in a public policy
context
About the Policy Research Initiative
(PRI)
The federal government requires a strong knowledge base and
policy capacity to meet the increasingly complex challenges
facing Canada. To respond to this need, the Policy Research
Initiative conducts research in support of the Government
of Canada's medium term agenda. Its core mandate is to advance
research on emerging horizontal issues, and to ensure the
effective transfer of acquired knowledge to policy-makers.
The PRI, while conducting independent policy research projects,
is attached to the Privy Council Office through the Plans
and Consultation Branch.
The PRI currently has five horizontal research projects:
Population Aging and Life-course Flexibility
New Approaches for Addressing Poverty and Exclusion
Social Capital as a Public Policy Tool
North American Linkages
Sustainable Development (Freshwater Management)
In addition to its research projects, the PRI harnesses
knowledge and expertise on an ongoing basis from within the
federal government, as well as from Canadian universities,
private sector research institutions, and international organizations.
This work is accomplished by way of conferences, workshops,
and policy research roundtables on important medium-term cross-cutting
issues.
Research results are shared with the federal policy community
not only through a range of events, but also by means of print
publications, including the periodical Horizons, as well as
various project reports and discussion papers. This material
is available to the public through the PRI web site.
The PRI is also mandated to identify data needs and priorities
for future policy development through the Policy Research
Data Group, an interdepartmental committee charged with addressing
emerging data gaps linked to medium to
The Policy
Research Initiative's web site
Please check the PRI's
web site to learn further details on PRI's activities
and publications.
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