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.

On June 23, 2025, NCDD hosted an energizing webinar, Deliberation in Action: A Civic Season Call to Reimagine Democracy. Held during Civic Season—the stretch between Juneteenth and the Fourth of July—this timely session brought together field leaders working to revitalize democracy through deliberative engagement and citizen empowerment.

Co-presenters Roshan Bliss (NCDD), Marjan Ehsassi (FIDE – North America), Katie Fahey (The People), Christine Lopes Metcalfe (Local Policy Lab), and Rahmin Sarabi (American Public Trust) shared real-world examples of how citizens’ assemblies and other deliberative practices are driving change in places like Montrose, Colorado; California; Michigan; and beyond. Speakers explored what it means to grow civic infrastructure from the ground up, integrate deliberation into decision-making, and build trust through participatory processes that center transparency, equity, and shared power.

Panelists emphasized that deliberative democracy is not a one-time event—it’s a long-term cultural shift rooted in community relationships and ongoing collaboration. From navigating polarization and funding challenges to designing inclusive, local systems of participation, the conversation lifted up both the promise and complexity of this work. Attendees left with key insights, examples, and renewed energy to help embed deliberative values in the heart of democratic life. ​Read more lessons from the webinar and watch the recording below.

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Paul Zeitz to the NCDD community! A seasoned physician, advocate, and democratic reformer, Dr. Zeitz brings a bold and inspiring vision for constitutional renewal rooted in citizen engagement. Through initiatives like Citizens' Assemblies and his work with #unifyUSA, he champions inclusive, deliberative processes that empower everyday Americans to reimagine and revitalize our democracy. His unique blend of systems thinking, public health insight, and grassroots action aligns perfectly with NCDD’s mission. Read more in the blog post below.

In their timely and compelling article for The Fulcrum, NCDD’s Director of Democracy Innovations, Roshan Bliss, and Assemble America’s Executive Director, Nick Coccoma, explore how citizens’ assemblies can serve as a powerful tool to prevent a democratic unraveling in the United States. As calls to rewrite the Constitution gain traction—particularly through a well-funded Article V movement on the far right—Bliss and Coccoma offer a democratic counterproposal: a “ground floor plan” for constitutional renewal rooted in deliberation, representation, and public legitimacy. This piece lays out a visionary strategy for civic actors across the country to build new democratic infrastructure, grounded in the voices and wisdom of everyday people. Their call is clear: it’s time to roll up our sleeves and rebuild the house of American democracy—before it's too late. Read the article in full below.

With just one week remaining until “Deliberation in Action: A Civic Season Call to Reimagine Democracy”, now is the time to register for this timely and action-focused webinar. Held during Civic Season, this event brings together leading democratic innovators to share real-world strategies for bridging divides, building civic trust, and making democracy more inclusive and participatory. Whether you're an engaged citizen or a civic leader, this conversation will equip you with tools to help strengthen democracy in your community. Read more in the blog post below.

As polarization intensifies and civil discourse breaks down, the 2025 Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center (DDNRC) Conference — “The Weight of Words” — offers a vital space for dialogue practitioners, educators, and community leaders to confront today’s most urgent communication challenges. Taking place June 30–July 2 at Washington University in St. Louis, the event will explore how language shapes division and connection, how identity and power influence conversations, and how dialogue must evolve to meet the demands of our fractured times. Read more in the blog post below.

Join the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) on Monday, June 23rd for "Deliberation in Action: A Civic Season Call to Reimagine Democracy," from 12–1:30 p.m. Eastern / 9–10:30 a.m. Pacific. This timely webinar will explore how communities across the country are using dialogue, deliberation, and civic engagement to bridge divides, build trust, and shape inclusive policy. As part of Civic Season—the reflective period between Juneteenth and the Fourth of July—this event highlights democracy as a living culture that requires ongoing practice and renewal. Featuring leading voices in democratic innovation, the conversation will offer real-world examples, strategic insights, and a vision for collective action. Register here and 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.