Empowering Citizens Through Bridgebuilder Basics for Effective Collaboration Across Differences7/26/2024 "Bridgebuilder Basics" is a resource from Interfaith America aimed at teaching the vision, knowledge, and skills necessary for crossing differences and fostering collaboration for the common good. It emphasizes the importance of bridgebuilding, defined as the intentional effort to respect diverse identities and ideologies, build mutually inspiring relationships, and cooperate for shared action. The program offers an interactive online course and synchronous curricula designed for both learners and facilitators, providing tools and guidance to effectively engage in bridgebuilding activities. These resources support both in-person and virtual learning and are adaptable to various group needs. Read the blog post below and learn more here.
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The 2024 Braver Angels Convention in Kenosha, Wisconsin, brought together over 700 participants from diverse political backgrounds to promote depolarization and civic engagement. Key themes included "Citizen-Centered Democracy" and expanding the Braver Angels Partners Network. Initiatives like the "Common Ground" workshops and cross-partisan polling efforts were highlighted. Moving forward, Braver Angels aims to partner with local alliances and leverage its educational resources to enhance civic engagement, while maintaining its cross-partisan integrity. Read the blog post below for the full debrief! Join us today for the Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy launch event, "The Role of Mediators and Facilitators in Healing U.S. Democracy," at 9am PT/12pm ET. Co-hosted by NCDD and various partners, this event unites practitioners in support of democracy during a time of significant societal divisions. Learn more below and register here.
In addition to this, we have news on the recent NCDD leadership change. At the beginning of June, Keiva Hummel stepped into the role of Executive Director. She has already launched new initiatives to strengthen and expand NCDD's impact, such as the Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy. In the spirit of continuing to build NCDD into a robust organization, we are dedicated to strengthening our capacity and network. We invite all our members, partners, and the wider community to join us in these efforts. Your financial contributions and support are vital to advancing our mission of promoting dialogue, deliberation, and civic engagement. Learn more details in the blog post below. NCDD Member Organization, AllSides, was recently commissioned by Newsweek to perform a Media Bias Audit™ and identify the outlet's bias rating. AllSides' bias rating system utilizes input from thousands of Americans, encompassing a broad spectrum of political perspectives from left to right, to provide a balanced and trustworthy assessment of media bias. Learn more about the AllSides system and their findings on Newsweek in the blog post below and read the article here. NCDD member and former board chair, Martín Carcasson, discusses how the Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation is collaborating with a local newspaper to reshape opinion journalism. By integrating insights from deliberative practice, they aim to foster healthier civic discourse through quality interactions, analysis, and community building. Through initiatives like the Northern Colorado Deliberative Journalism Project, they seek to transform local journalism into a platform for constructive dialogue and collaboration. In the long term, the DJP and Coloradoan Conversations platform provide an important model for other communities, highlighting the benefits of collaboration between universities and local media. Learn more in the blog post below and read the The American Press Institute article here. NCDD Member Organization, Essential Partners, and local YMCAs are launching a two-year project funded by a $224,000 grant to create a network of community bridge-builders across the U.S. Using the Reflective Structured Dialogue approach, they will train YMCA staff, volunteers, and youth leaders to foster inclusive public discourse and enhance social cohesion. The initiative aims to empower communities to navigate differences and promote a sense of inclusion and belonging. Learn more in post below and on EP's site here. Everyone's In introduces an innovative online forum format, fostering courteous conversations on challenging issues. Developed by NCDD Member Organization, The National Issues Forums Institute, it ensures inclusive participation through anonymous polls and equal footing for all participants. Learn more in the blog post below and on the NIFI site here. Celebrate innovative civic initiatives at the 75th Annual All-America City Award event in Denver from June 7-9, 2024, hosted by NCDD Member Organization, The National Civic League. Engage with finalist teams showcasing impactful projects, attend dynamic workshops led by national experts, and immerse yourself in American culture at the Civic Action Fair and Cultural Entertainment Showcase. Learn more in the post below and on the NCL site here. NCDD Member Organization, the Public Square Academy is offering a FREE workshop series, The Democracy Challenge (TDC). This four-week orientation course introducing the Public Square Academy is aimed at educating and empowering citizens to combat oppression and promote civic engagement. Through weekly Zoom meetings, participants explore nine pillars addressing issues such as disenfranchisement, economic empowerment, and public health, with the goal of developing projects to enact positive change in their communities. Learn more in the blog post below and on PSA site. The pandemic and political divisions have intensified social distancing and loneliness, underscoring the need for public gathering spaces to rebuild connections. Civic infrastructure, like community gatherings, can bridge social gaps, foster trust, and encourage civic engagement. Citizen University offers a task to all - Become a "gathering engineer" by identifying areas of disconnection and envisioning purposeful gathering places, such as swap meets or BBQs. Relatedly, if you want to strengthen your skills in civics and hosting ritualized gatherings, check out the Civic Saturday Fellowship opportunity. Applications to join the Fall Fellowship are open until May 17. Learn more in the post below and on the Citizen University site here. |
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