​The Global Citizens' Assembly—organized by Mediators Beyond Borders International and the Institute for Social and Environmental Transition—will bring together 105 randomly selected participants to deliberate on global food systems from January to March 2026, supported locally by newly recruited Community Hosts. These hosts, working from late October 2025 through early March 2026, will help ensure equitable participation by providing technological, logistical, and cultural support, especially in regions such as Moscow, Sevastopol, Jeddah, northern Honshu, eastern Uzbekistan, Weno, and select U.S. counties. Designed around 14 small-group sessions that foster deep dialogue and relationship-building, the Assembly aims to model more inclusive, globally connected democratic decision-making. Those interested in becoming Community Hosts are encouraged to contact [email protected] by 5 PM ET on Monday, December 8th.

​This article highlights lessons from three National Issues Forums Institute–connected research projects that examine how communities can effectively deliberate on environmental challenges in ways that lead to meaningful, locally guided action. Through examples from Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, and other Southern states, the piece shows that successful environmental deliberation requires centering participants’ lived experiences, responding flexibly to community needs, and ensuring discussions connect to real decision-making pathways. It emphasizes the importance of adapting processes—such as shifting from deliberation to dialogue when communities need more sensemaking—and underscores how building local leadership strengthens trust, accessibility, and long-term impact. Together, these insights point to the value of community-rooted, action-oriented deliberation that aligns with existing structures and amplifies local knowledge and leadership.

NCDD welcomes Peter Schutz to its Board of Directors, recognizing his decades-long commitment to strengthening democracy through small-group dialogue in New Jersey. Blending technical expertise with a deep dedication to human connection, Peter has spent more than 30 years creating spaces where everyday citizens can explore complex issues, listen across differences, and build shared understanding. His work as an engineer, mediator, counselor, and discussion group leader reflects a lifelong belief that democratic renewal grows from authentic, community-level engagement. As he joins the board, Peter brings extensive practical experience, values rooted in justice and inclusion, and a conviction that ordinary people can shape their collective future—contributions that will enrich NCDD’s mission to advance dialogue and deliberation nationwide.

The Sustained Dialogue Institute’s January 7–9, 2025, three-session training series offers community members a comprehensive introduction to Sustained Dialogue, a relationship-centered peacebuilding process designed to help groups move through conflict toward collaborative action. Rooted in a five-stage methodology developed by Dr. Harold Saunders, the training equips facilitators with skills in deep listening, emotional regulation, equitable facilitation, and crafting questions that foster understanding across differences. Accessible to participants of varied backgrounds and experience levels, the workshop models inclusive learning practices while preparing graduates to co-facilitate dialogue groups and join a supportive practitioner network. Ultimately, the series strengthens local democratic capacity by helping communities build the relationships needed to address complex issues constructively.

Public Agenda’s December 3, 2024, virtual session examines how community colleges in Texas, California, and Illinois are advancing economic mobility through equity-centered practices that help low-income students navigate complex systems and achieve their goals. Drawing on recent case studies, the event highlights both effective programs and the shared principles that make them replicable across diverse contexts, positioning community colleges as vital engines of opportunity and civic infrastructure. Participants will engage with the findings through facilitated dialogue, connecting insights to their own communities and exploring how deliberative practices can strengthen educational equity and economic well-being.

The Viewpoints Project, founded by Shira Hoffer, empowers young people to transform disagreement into connection by approaching conflict with curiosity rather than avoidance. Rooted in Hoffer’s personal experiences with constructive dialogue and her academic study of speech and controversy, the organization addresses growing polarization through student-led, research-backed programs in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. Their practical strategies—such as intentional listening, exploring underlying interests, framing open-ended questions, and reaffirming common ground—equip students and families alike to navigate difficult conversations with empathy and openness. As holidays like Thanksgiving bring both togetherness and tension, The Viewpoints Project offers a vision in which disagreement becomes an opportunity for understanding, strengthening relationships, and cultivating the democratic skills vital to a healthy society.

The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation has welcomed Lara Schwartz to its board, recognizing her deep expertise in fostering constructive conversations across differences. As Founding Director of the American University Project on Civic Dialogue, Schwartz has spent over a decade teaching students practical skills for engaging meaningfully across political and social divides, work that reflects her broader career in coalition-building across the civil rights sector. Her philosophy—centered on moving from adversarial debate toward exploratory dialogue—aligns closely with NCDD’s mission, and her experience training facilitators, developing innovative dialogue programs, and navigating complex political environments positions her to help strengthen the field at a moment of rising polarization and democratic strain.

​Maple Run Unified School District in Vermont has become a national model for how restorative practices can rebuild community and improve outcomes in the wake of pandemic disruptions. Faced with rising behavioral and social-emotional challenges, the district adopted a relationship-centered, prevention-focused approach that strengthened school climate, boosted academic performance, and improved student and staff well-being. Over three years, Maple Run saw significant gains in behavior, literacy, and math, alongside high levels of belonging and exceptional staff retention, all supported by intentional structures such as school-based teams, district-wide coordination, and a long-term strategic plan. Their comprehensive implementation shows how restorative practices can transform school culture and create conditions where students and educators thrive.

The National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI) recently hosted a workshop to help practitioners strengthen their ability to frame issues for effective public deliberation. As part of NIFI’s Talk. Decide. Act. series, the session explored why issue framing matters—highlighting how the way a topic is presented shapes participants’ thinking, options, and sense of inclusion—and offered practical guidance on crafting frames that encourage thoughtful, balanced dialogue. Presenters shared research insights, walked through key steps such as selecting issues, conducting background research, and choosing between full issue guides or simplified questions, and showcased a real-world case study on framing housing issues in Alabama. By making the workshop materials publicly accessible, NIFI is expanding training opportunities across the deliberation field and continuing to build capacity for stronger democratic engagement.

Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, North Carolina has woven dialogue into the core of its community, demonstrating how young people can lead transformative conversations across lines of difference. With support from Essential Partners, students are trained to facilitate nuanced, story-driven dialogues that replace debate with deeper understanding—helping the school navigate tense moments like the 2024 election while strengthening relationships. More than 90 student facilitators, along with trained educators, now guide discussions on challenging topics ranging from empathy to gun violence, creating a cultural shift that sustains more thoughtful, connected community engagement. Ravenscroft’s model shows how dialogue-centered education can empower students as civic leaders, reshape institutional culture, and offer a compelling blueprint for other schools committed to bridging divides.