The National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) proudly welcomes Eric Schmucker as its newest Board Member, bringing over 15 years of experience in program management and community-engaged dialogue. A dedicated practitioner who believes that democracy begins with listening across differences, Eric has led facilitation processes for public and nonprofit organizations through his work with the Institute for Constructive Advocacy and Dialogue at James Madison University. His background spans restorative justice, story exchange, and international community engagement in Indonesia and Uganda, reflecting his commitment to inclusive, context-sensitive dialogue. With deep experience in teaching, governance, and local democracy, Eric emphasizes the importance of sustained discussion, relationship-building, and participatory practices that strengthen communities. His addition to the NCDD Board reinforces the organization’s mission to advance dialogue, deliberation, and civic engagement rooted in equity and shared learning. Read more in the blog post below.

The Close-Up Foundation is bringing the Guam Youth Summit to the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa from October 14 to 17, engaging 80 high school students in hands-on civic education. This four-day event, funded by the U.S. Office of Insular Affairs, immerses students in legislative processes, allowing them to work with senators, local experts, and off-island education specialists to explore policies affecting Guam. Through panel discussions and structured deliberations, participants develop concrete recommendations for the 38th Guam Legislature, transforming abstract concepts of government into meaningful engagement. By fostering skills in dialogue, critical thinking, and civic agency, the summit empowers young people to see the impact of their voices on democratic processes. For Guam, this investment in youth civic education is vital, equipping the next generation of leaders to address community challenges through informed, collaborative, and inclusive decision-making.

In Alabama’s Tri-County region (Bibb, Chilton, and Shelby counties), residents have turned a year-long series of structured community conversations into actionable steps to address housing challenges. Guided by the David Mathews Center for Civic Life and the National Issues Forums model, discussions focused on affordability, availability, and accessibility, fostering trust and shared understanding among participants. Through forums, small-group meetings, and a culminating community event, residents identified transitional housing as the region’s most urgent need and formed volunteer action teams to pursue solutions. The initiative illustrates how inclusive, sustained dialogue can move communities from polarization to collaborative problem-solving, generating both social capital and concrete strategies for long-term change.

​In a time when civic conversations often feel more like battles, Bassam T. Salem from Park City, Utah, offers a powerful call for democratic renewal through deliberation rather than debate. He highlights how polarization, societal fragmentation, and the blurring of knowledge and belief threaten our democracy. Salem’s vision champions respectful, constructive dialogue that prioritizes understanding over winning—an approach that aligns closely with the principles of healthy democratic engagement. His letter inspires citizens and community leaders alike to move from division toward connection, emphasizing that democratic renewal depends on embracing shared facts while honoring diverse beliefs. Read more in the blog post below.

The NCDD Resource Center is your all-in-one destination for exploring a wealth of tools, guides, and frameworks designed to support meaningful dialogue, deliberation, and public engagement. Whether you’re new to the field or an experienced practitioner, you’ll find resources like the Beginner’s Guide, Engagement Streams Framework, and over 40 assessment tools to help you plan, facilitate, and evaluate conversations that bring people together around complex issues. Organized by practical categories—from participatory practices to big-picture theories—the Resource Center also connects you with a community of leaders and offers opportunities for ongoing learning and collaboration. By tapping into these curated resources, you’re helping build a stronger culture of democratic dialogue and informed engagement. Read more in the blog post below.

In a recent interview with Ana Kasparian, Professor James Fishkin explored how deliberative democracy can address America’s deepening political divides and institutional distrust. Drawing from decades of research and his new book Can Deliberation Cure the Ills of Democracy?, Fishkin makes a compelling case for structured dialogue as a powerful tool to rebuild trust, foster understanding, and renew democratic engagement from the ground up. Read more in the blog post below.

​We’re excited to introduce Dialogue Spotlights—a new monthly feature that recognizes and celebrates the incredible people in the NCDD community who are advancing dialogue and deliberation in meaningful ways. From standout facilitators to behind-the-scenes leaders, these spotlights shine a light on the everyday efforts that make our network strong. Read more in the blog post below.

​This June, Akron, Ohio will host the Citizens' Assembly School, a two-day intensive program presented by FIDE - North America and Unify America, offering dialogue and deliberation practitioners a rare opportunity to explore citizens' assemblies—an increasingly vital tool in participatory democracy. Held June 12–13 at the Bounce Innovation Hub, the program combines expert-led instruction with hands-on workshops covering the full lifecycle of citizens' assemblies, including recruitment through sortition, question framing, facilitation, evaluation, and scaling. With a faculty of leading practitioners and scholars, including representatives from MASS LBP, FIDE, and major universities, participants will gain both the skills and networks needed to implement or support assemblies in their own communities. Akron's selection as host city reflects its growing role in civic innovation, and the event emphasizes accessibility with scholarships for local participants and a registration deadline of May 30. Read more in the blog post below.

The Spring 2025 issue of NCDD Friend's National Civic Review, this Review showcases eight compelling articles focused on innovative practices in democratic engagement. From Portland’s bold adoption of proportional representation to the use of potlucks as tools for civic connection, each piece offers unique insights into how communities across North America are reimagining participation and public decision-making. Topics include participatory budgeting in NYC, citizen deliberations on police oversight in Springfield, and governance reforms in Cambridge and the Yukon. Together, these stories reveal a growing movement to deepen inclusion, transparency, and local stewardship. 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.