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. 

From NCDD members Close Up - A free press is vital to democracy, yet newspapers in the U.S. are steadily declining, with projections showing the loss of one-third of newspapers since 2005. This decline has created “information deserts,” especially in rural and low-income areas, where communities lose access to critical local news. Local newspapers play an essential role in holding power accountable, informing citizens about government actions, and fostering civic engagement. Their absence can lead to less informed communities, increased political polarization, and weaker local democracies, highlighting the urgent need to support local journalism and preserve its role in society. Read the article below and learn more here. 

​Watch a recent discussion, Managing Emotions and Relationships After the Election, where Braver Angels co-founder Dr. Bill Doherty provides invaluable guidance for navigating the intense emotions that often follow an election. Whether you are experiencing the elation of victory or the despair of defeat, Dr. Doherty offers thoughtful insights on coping with these powerful feelings while staying true to your core values. His approach emphasizes the importance of preserving relationships, even amid deep political divides, and finding ways to build bridges with those who hold different perspectives. In these challenging times, his wisdom serves as a crucial reminder of the shared humanity that binds us all, fostering mutual understanding and resilience in our communities. Check out the video below!

Strong local journalism supports democracy by fostering voter engagement, countering polarization, and building community. Democracy Fund’s Equitable Journalism strategy emphasizes local news ecosystems—networks of institutions, collaborations, and individuals that provide essential information. Updated research with Impact Architects has expanded their Healthy News & Information Ecosystem framework to include "Democracy Indicators," which assess factors like access to legal resources for journalists, voting ease, and civic engagement. Democracy Fund’s investments since 2016 have advanced local journalism across the U.S. Read more in the blog post below and find the full article here.

​Joy to the (Civic) World: The Role of Fun & Joy in Civic Life is a virtual event on December 17th at 2 PM ET, exploring how joy and fun can transform civic participation. Hosted by the Connective Tissue and Democracy Notes newsletters, the event will feature an interactive panel moderated by Richard Young of CivicLex, with speakers Ash Hanson, Nathalia Benitez-Perez, and Evan Weissman. These leaders will share practical strategies for fostering joy in civic engagement, from creative community projects to innovative public initiatives. Register to join this lively discussion and discover ways to make civic life more joyful and inclusive.

​The "Five Practices for Better College Discussions" workshop series began on September 25th, offering college students tools to enhance collaborative communication skills. Led by IF Collaborative Discussion Coach Cuda Zmuda, the session introduced exercises to help students communicate openly, compromise, and build on each other's ideas, even with new people in a virtual setting. Sydney McKee, a high school senior, found the experience eye-opening, noting it helped participants move beyond "selfish communication." The series continues on November 20th with a focus on moving beyond binary thinking, offering skills valuable for academic and personal success. Read more in the blog post below. 

​The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) emphasizes the importance of dialogue and deliberation in sustaining democracy amid rising polarization and declining trust in institutions. These practices encourage empathy, build trust, and help communities move from disagreement to collaboration by fostering open, inclusive discussions that address complex challenges. NCDD plays a key role in supporting these efforts through resources, events, and networks, empowering individuals and organizations to engage in meaningful, participatory dialogue. By supporting dialogue and deliberation, NCDD helps build a resilient democracy where all voices contribute to shared solutions and community resilience. Read Keiva's article posted in The Fulcrum below!