![]() Fort Collins is collaborating with several organizations to conduct a civic assembly process for determining the future use of the former Hughes Stadium site. Key partners include the Healthy Democracy Fund, The American Public Trust, CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation, the Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership, and the Local Policy Lab. These groups aim to ensure the process is inclusive, representative, and focused on depolarizing discussions, engaging underrepresented voices, and fostering collaborative problem-solving. Read more in the blog post below!
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![]() Kim Allonce is transforming how Haitians address pressing challenges through his Inclusive Dialogue Framework, which builds trust, cohesion, and resilience in communities. Rooted in his doctoral research and cultural traditions, the Framework progresses through stages: self-reflection, lakou conversations (community dialogues), intergroup dialogues, and eventually Citizen Assemblies. These dialogues aim to strengthen social capital, bridge divides, and empower Haitians to collaboratively address national issues. Through a partnership with the Interactivity Foundation, Kim developed a facilitation certificate program to train students as dialogue facilitators, fostering a culture of trust and inclusivity across Haiti. Read the blog post below and learn more here. ![]() Nick Coccoma recounts his experience observing Healthy Democracy’s Deschutes Civic Assembly in Bend, Oregon, where a diverse group of citizens deliberated on youth homelessness. Unlike traditional adversarial politics, the assembly fostered collaboration, empathy, and civic duty, with participants working toward shared solutions without partisan conflict. Coccoma contrasts this approach with the divisiveness of electoral politics, arguing that citizens’ assemblies transform conflict into productive dialogue, uniting people to seek the common good. Reflecting on the assembly’s success, he advocates for expanding this “trickle-up democracy” as a healthier model for addressing societal challenges. Read the blog post below to learn more! ![]() The "Post-Election: Moving Forward Together" Living Room Conversations event on December 3 invites participants to discuss election outcomes in a respectful, open setting. Using a guided format, this conversation focuses on bridging divides, processing election results, and finding common ground despite differing perspectives. The event encourages shared humanity and understanding as participants reflect on moving forward as a nation. Tickets are donation-based, read the blog post below to learn more and register. ![]() A recent citizens assembly in Bend, Oregon, brought 30 residents together to tackle youth homelessness in Deschutes County, a region struggling with high housing costs and growing encampments. Organized by DemocracyNext and Healthy Democracy, the assembly features diverse participants using their collective insights to develop policy recommendations. Eliza Wilson, a former homeless youth and now a program director, shared her story to kickstart discussions, drawing attention to the challenges homeless teens face and potential solutions. While the assembly’s success depends on local government’s willingness to act, advocates see it as a promising model to engage ordinary citizens in solving complex issues. Read the blog post below and learn more here! ![]() Read below an article from Science about AI and citizen's assemblies! Eric Schmidt, Former Google CEO, acknowledges that while AI is complex, its development is too important to be left solely to tech companies. There is a growing movement to involve the public in decisions about AI through citizens' assemblies, inspired by successful examples like Ireland's deliberation on abortion and Paris' assembly on homelessness. These processes allow citizens to contribute to policy decisions on challenging issues, proving that public participation can unlock new solutions. For AI, incorporating democratic deliberation could help steer its development toward the public good, but only if companies and governments are willing to take these inputs seriously and act on them. ![]() When: Tuesday, October 22nd, 7:00pm ET Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kceGprj8qGteaXq-RwsMnJe_hZ-6t61oe#/registration Elections can be a mix of hope and fear...let us connect, reflect, and act - together. Join NAFCM this coming Tuesday (tomorrow) for a continued conversation about our work before, during, and after the upcoming U.S. election. Connect with local and national leaders, reflect on their efforts, and create individual and shared plans of action to increase engagement and mitigate electoral violence. ![]() Join us for the launch of the Healthy Democracy Ecosystem Map, a resource connecting organizations, funders, and practitioners to support democratic practices nationwide. In this 75-minute webinar, on October 9th, 2 pm ET (1pm CT, 12pm MT, 11am PT), attendees will explore the map's features, learn how it fosters collaboration and innovation, and hear real-world applications from a diverse panel. The session offers a guided tour, insights from experts, and an opportunity for audience engagement. Read the blog post to learn more! ![]() Twenty years ago, 160 Canadian residents participated in the world’s first Citizens Assembly, setting a new standard for representative deliberation and sparking a global movement in democratic innovation. To commemorate this milestone, the Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue and MASS LBP are hosting a public dialogue on September 18th in Vancouver, featuring key figures from the Assembly’s inception and current members reflecting on their experiences. The event will be moderated by Aftab Erfan and includes speakers like Geoff Plant, Peter MacLeod, and Andrea Reimer. It will be held at the Wosk Centre and livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. Read the blog post below for more information and to register. ![]() 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. |
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