NCDD Friends, National Civic League are hosting the webinar, "Communities for Climate Action: Engagement Strategies That Work", on March 19 at 12:30 Pacific, 3:30pm Eastern. ​Join this insightful webinar exploring the intersection of climate action and inclusive community engagement, where local governments are leading efforts to address environmental challenges while strengthening democratic practices. Featuring experts from the Local Policy Lab and sustainability leaders from cities across the U.S., this session will highlight best practices, case studies, and tools for effectively engaging residents in climate resilience efforts. Attendees will gain practical insights on fostering authentic community involvement and ensuring environmental sustainability through policies that also reinforce democratic participation. Learn more in the blost post below and register here.

​The National Civic League and the Bridge Alliance have launched the Healthy Democracy Project, aiming to strengthen civic health and governance systems in two pilot communities. Over the course of a year, local civic leaders will receive training, tools, and support to foster inclusive engagement and address significant community challenges. The project focuses on building diverse leadership cohorts, conducting civic infrastructure scans, and implementing large-scale civic engagement processes to tackle major issues and enhance equity. By empowering leaders and residents, the initiative seeks to create sustainable civic infrastructure and inspire broader community participation in governance. Read more in the blog post below!

Listening is a skill that shapes how we connect, understand, and build relationships. But how often do we pause to consider how we listen? Inspired by Elizabeth Rosner’s Third Ear: Reflections on the Art and Science of Listening, Living Room Conversations has crafted a guide to help us reflect on and improve our listening habits.

This guide invites participants to explore the spectrum of listening—whether we’re listening to respond, listening for deeper meaning, or listening to help someone feel truly heard. Through thoughtful questions like, “Can you think of a time you experienced being fully listened to?” the conversation encourages reflection on personal experiences while creating space to explore how listening can foster stronger connections.

The guide is part of Living Room Conversations’ broader mission: to help people engage in meaningful dialogue that builds understanding and bridges divides. By offering a structure for exploring the nuances of listening, this conversation is an opportunity to cultivate a deeper awareness of how we listen and the impact it has on our relationships.

How might your perspective shift if you explored your own listening habits? Join the conversation and discover the transformative power of truly hearing one another.
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Download the guide here and consider donating $5 to help them continue offering free resources.

Boulder, Colorado, has made significant progress in combating climate change, achieving a 24% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2018 and aiming for a 70% reduction by 2030. Through collaborative efforts that began in the 1990s, the city has implemented a Climate Action Plan featuring initiatives like energy audits, community-led programs, and campaigns such as ClimateSmart and Cool Boulder to inspire individual and collective action. Boulder also emphasizes equity and resilience, recognizing the disproportionate impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities. With ambitious goals, including 100% renewable energy by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2035, Boulder exemplifies how cities can lead in environmental sustainability while inspiring others to join the effort. Read more in the blog post below!

The upcoming JAMS Foundation/NAFCM mini-grant focus is community leadership.  Cultivating leaders who can listen and learn and hold potentially transformative conversations regarding issues of public interest and concern is essential for good governance. The need to embed Conflict Resolution Skills within the modus operandi of elected officials and other community leaders is key to productive engagement and community safety.  This grant opportunity is for two years and will award $15,000 per year.  A meeting to find out more will be held on January 31, 2025 at 3:30 PM ET. Read more and register for the meeting below. 

The University of Chicago’s Parrhesia Program for Public Discourse hosted its inaugural High School Educator Seminar on Freedom of Expression and Campus Discourse from July 21-25, 2024, featuring a workshop on the Collaborative Discussion Toolkit by the Interactivity Foundation (IF). This toolkit equips educators with practical methods to foster inclusive dialogue and help students engage constructively across differences. Seminar participants explored activities focused on managing group dynamics, navigating challenging conversations, and fostering community, leaving with actionable strategies to implement in their classrooms. By providing free, accessible resources like the toolkit, the seminar aimed to create meaningful impact, preparing students for diverse, complex interactions in academic and personal settings. Read more in the blog post below.

​Kevin Johnson, from The Fulcrum, highlights lessons from President Jimmy Carter’s enduring legacy for democracy reformers. Carter’s commitment to election fairness began with his fight against blatant election fraud in his first Georgia state senate race, a struggle that shaped his lifelong dedication to democratic principles. As a global advocate, Carter’s work through The Carter Center emphasized nonpartisanship, transparency, and systemic reform, contributing to the doubling of electoral democracies worldwide by the end of the 20th century. Johnson underscores Carter’s moral leadership, emphasizing respect, empathy, and the importance of engaging with adversaries, qualities that remain vital for addressing today’s challenges to democracy. Read the blog post below and learn more here. 

Merriam-Webster named "polarization" as the 2024 Word of the Year, reflecting widespread concern over deepening societal divides. In an article by Starts With Us, the choice is seen not only as a reminder of today’s toxic political and social climate but also as a call to engage in deeper, more honest discussions about the issue. While many blame "the other side" for polarization, the article emphasizes the need for self-reflection, shared responsibility, and challenging distorted views of others. Building a healthier, less toxic future requires collective action and a commitment to nuanced conversations. Read more below.

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.