A new study from Protect Democracy and CIRCLE uncovers three distinct profiles of Gen Z’s engagement with democracy, revealing a complex mix of appreciation, detachment, and dissatisfaction. While most young Americans value democratic principles, many lack trust in institutions and doubt democracy's ability to deliver real change—especially those facing socioeconomic barriers. For dialogue practitioners, these insights highlight the importance of tailored, inclusive strategies that build civic skills, address disillusionment, and bridge diverse perspectives. Read more in the blog post below.

NCDD Network Partner, ​The National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (NACRJ) has officially launched its first-ever Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Committee, marking a significant milestone in its mission to build a more inclusive and equitable restorative justice movement. This new initiative follows NACRJ’s June 2024 Resolution Statement and reflects a deepened commitment to embedding DEIJ principles across the organization’s practices, policies, and partnerships. Composed of experienced leaders in restorative justice, education, and community advocacy from across North America, the committee will focus on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and collaborative action within the organization and beyond. Read more in the blog post below.

​Campus Compact, an NCDD member organization, offers an invaluable resource with its “Better Discourse: A Guide for Bridging Campus Divides in Challenging Times.” As campuses face increased polarization and tension, this guide provides practical, reflective strategies for fostering productive dialogue. With its focus on relationship-building and leveraging existing assets, it serves as an essential tool for campus leaders in 2025. The guide includes contributions from NCDD members, Sara Drury and Lisa-Marie Napoli, among others. Read more in the blog post below.

​NCDD is now accepting applications for its remote, unpaid, and flexible summer internship program—an ideal opportunity for students and emerging professionals interested in dialogue, deliberation, and community engagement. Internship roles are available in the areas of Communications, Democracy Engagement, Grant Writing, Membership Engagement, and Program Development. To learn more, join us for our upcoming info session, “Launching Your Path – Learn About NCDD Internships,” on Tuesday, May 20 at 11am PT / 2pm ET. This virtual session will provide insights into the program, introduce the NCDD team, and offer space for questions. Learn more in the blog post below and register to join the call!

​The National Civic League has announced the 20 finalists for the 2025 All-America City Award, highlighting communities that are leading the way in tackling climate change through inclusive civic engagement. These finalists represent diverse regions across the U.S. and have been selected for their innovative, collaborative approaches to creating sustainable and resilient communities. The award emphasizes the transformative power of community dialogue and action, showcasing the impact of collective efforts in addressing environmental challenges. These communities provide valuable models for others seeking to engage residents in environmental sustainability. Read more in the blog post below.

​A dynamic partnership between NCDD Member, Middlebury College’s Conflict Transformation Collaborative (CT Collaborative) and Burlington-based nuwave Equity Corporation is demonstrating how dialogue practices can lead to meaningful workplace culture change. By combining Middlebury’s academic expertise with nuwave’s innovative equity work, the collaboration equips organizations with tools to foster inclusive, high-performing environments. Centered on core conflict transformation skills—like active listening and curiosity—the initiative exemplifies the impact of cross-sector collaboration. Soon, new training videos and multimedia resources will make these strategies more accessible and scalable. Read more in the blog post below.

The Spring School on Climate Citizens' Assemblies, taking place June 4–6, 2025, in Warsaw, offers a hands-on, three-day training for those passionate about participatory democracy and climate action. Organized by FIDE-Europe with Polish partners and supported by the City of Warsaw, the program covers every stage of designing and running a citizens' assembly—from recruitment and facilitation to governance and follow-up. A special "Deep Dive" day will spotlight inclusive strategies for engaging children and youth in climate deliberations. With expert-led sessions, interactive workshops, and a dynamic international faculty, this is a unique opportunity to build skills that translate directly to real-world impact. Read more in the blog post below.

This June, the Sustained Dialogue Institute (SDI), an esteemed member of NCDD, is hosting a four-part virtual training series to equip participants with the tools and techniques of Sustained Dialogue. Beginning June 9, 2025, this hands-on training offers in-depth learning on how to bridge divides and foster constructive dialogue in communities, campuses, and workplaces. Designed for both new and experienced facilitators, this opportunity empowers individuals to create safe spaces, navigate complex conversations, and lead change through relational, action-oriented dialogue. Read more in the blog post below.

​We’re launching NCDD’s 2025 Network Survey to gather your feedback and shape the future of our community. The survey, due by May 31st, 2025, will help guide our next steps and ensure our programming meets the needs of the dialogue and deliberation field. It focuses on your experiences, challenges, and ways to support your work. Your input will be crucial in addressing current issues like political polarization and funding limitations, and exploring future opportunities for involvement. Please complete the short, five-minute survey by May 31st. Read additional information in the blog post below.

NCDD Friends, Bridge Alliance, a coalition focused on strengthening democratic institutions and civic engagement across the U.S., has launched the 2025 Survey of Pro-Democracy Practitioners & Organizations. This survey is a key part of their "Path Forward" research project, designed to understand the current state and future direction of the pro-democracy movement. With the goal of gathering insights from democracy practitioners, the survey seeks to answer important questions about collective efforts, guiding principles, and areas of success or improvement. The initiative builds on previous research and aims to foster greater collaboration within the democracy field. Bridge Alliance is committed to maximizing impact through strategic partnerships and ensuring diverse perspectives are represented. Find the survey and read more in the blog post below.