The tragedy of 9/11 left the world grappling with intense emotions of grief, fear, and anger, creating a deep need for connection and understanding. As people struggled to process the overwhelming loss and division, open conversations became vital for healing. Conversation Cafés provided a safe space for individuals to voice their emotions, bridge divides, and foster empathy during this period of crisis. These dialogues helped communities come together, promoting shared humanity and a sense of unity in the face of collective trauma.

Essential Partners received the Healing Starts Here grant from New Pluralists to enhance collaborations in the Raleigh-Durham area. Over the past year, they built a strong community of educators, faith leaders, organizers, and public servants. In May 2024, New Pluralists held a retreat for over 70 leaders from various organizations, including Essential Partners, fostering relationship-building and shared learning. Essential Partners shared a video from the event, hoping it inspires others as well. Read the blog post below and learn more here.

The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) has launched its 2024 membership campaign, "Growing the Power of We: Dialogue as the Heartbeat of Democracy," focused on strengthening democracy through meaningful conversations. The campaign aims to grow membership by 45%, increase participation in events by 15%, and raise $50,000 to fund initiatives like youth engagement, diversity efforts, and technological enhancements. By joining NCDD, members can access exclusive resources, participate in webinars, and contribute to democratic engagement. This campaign supports NCDD’s broader mission of empowering communities through dialogue and addressing societal challenges.

​The Citizens' Assembly Capacity Building Fall School is an opportunity for policymakers, civil servants, and civil society members to learn about deliberative democratic processes and Citizens’ Assemblies. Hosted by the Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes at Arizona State University from October 22-24, this event offers interactive sessions with experts, providing practical skills to enhance public participation and democratic innovation. Participants will gain insights and tools to implement inclusive decision-making practices in their communities. Registration is open, with options to attend both the main program and a pre-conference event. Read the blog post below and learn more and register here.

The "5 Practices for Better College Discussions Workshop Series" offers a series of free, virtual workshops designed to help college students enhance their discussion skills for academic, community, and professional settings. Held on select dates from September 25 to November 20, 2024, these workshops will teach essential skills such as co-creation, asking better questions, and navigating complex discussions. Participants will learn how to communicate effectively, appreciate diverse perspectives, and engage in creative brainstorming. The series is open to all college students, and attendees can register for individual sessions or the entire series. Read the blog post below and learn more here.

​The "America in One Room: The Youth Vote" initiative conducted a Deliberative Poll involving 430 first-time voters to gauge their opinions on key issues for the 2024 Presidential Election. After deliberation, participants showed significant changes in their perspectives on energy, the economy, health care, and democracy. The results highlighted shifts towards more nuanced views, with increased support for clean energy and reproductive health care, but decreased support for some progressive economic policies. The event demonstrated Gen Z's capacity for thoughtful discussion across political divides and suggested an increased faith in democratic processes among young voters. Read the blog post below and learn more here.

In the release "Bridging Divides and Strengthening Communities Through Local Leaders," Dexter Mason and Hahrie Han discuss how grassroots efforts can combat political polarization and strengthen community connections. Mason, executive director of the Change Collective, and Han, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, emphasize the importance of equipping local leaders to address community issues and foster civic engagement. By promoting meaningful local action and collaboration, their approach aims to bridge divides and create a more inclusive and participatory democracy. Through real-world examples from Detroit and Jackson, the release illustrates how local initiatives can drive significant, broad-based change. Read the blog post below and learn more here. 

In their report, Luiza Jardim and Maria Lucien explore strategies for fostering inclusive participation in democratic processes. They highlight that despite efforts like sortition to diversify participant profiles, systemic barriers still hinder meaningful involvement of marginalized groups. The authors advocate for a shift toward "inclusion by default," emphasizing the need for intentional design and facilitation to address these barriers. By focusing on community engagement, intersectionality, and context-specific considerations, their work aims to create more equitable and representative participatory processes. Read the blog post below and learn more here.