Empowering Citizens Through Bridgebuilder Basics for Effective Collaboration Across Differences7/26/2024 ![]() "Bridgebuilder Basics" is a resource from Interfaith America aimed at teaching the vision, knowledge, and skills necessary for crossing differences and fostering collaboration for the common good. It emphasizes the importance of bridgebuilding, defined as the intentional effort to respect diverse identities and ideologies, build mutually inspiring relationships, and cooperate for shared action. The program offers an interactive online course and synchronous curricula designed for both learners and facilitators, providing tools and guidance to effectively engage in bridgebuilding activities. These resources support both in-person and virtual learning and are adaptable to various group needs. Read the blog post below and learn more here.
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Josh Lerner’s New White Paper Proposes a Revolutionary Approach to Strengthening Democracy7/24/2024 ![]() Josh Lerner, Co-Executive Director of People Powered, has released a white paper titled From Waves to Ecosystems: The Next Stage of Democratic Innovation, commissioned by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation's Ithaca Initiative. The paper argues for a shift from isolated democratic innovations to integrating diverse democratic practices into cohesive ecosystems to address global democratic crises. It proposes expanding our understanding of democracy by revisiting its historical diversity, building balanced democratic ecosystems rather than competing waves, and supporting a just transition by overcoming current unhealthy practices. The paper was launched on June 26th with a discussion featuring global democracy experts. Read more in the blog post below and find the paper here! ![]() The International Listening Association (ILA) has launched a new website, inviting visitors to explore their refreshed look and renewed commitment to listening skills, research, and best practices. The ILA, founded in 1979, aims to make listening an integral part of global culture by promoting its practice, training, and research across various fields. They provide numerous resources, including scholarly publications and annual conventions, to support listening-focused professionals and organizations. Upcoming events include a Listening Circles session on July 23, 2024, and a discussion on sustaining listening on July 25, 2024. Read more in the blog post below and check out their new website here! ![]() PACE is launching the Democracy Futures Project to enhance philanthropies' ability to think long-term about American democracy. Recognizing the need to complement immediate responses to current threats, the project aims to equip funders with tools for foresight thinking, scenario planning, and visioning up to 2050. By fostering capacity in these areas, the initiative seeks to strengthen strategies against uncertainty and political polarization, ultimately supporting a more inclusive and resilient democratic future. Scheduled to begin in Fall 2024, the project will address complex challenges and encourage sustained investment in democracy beyond electoral cycles. Read the blog post below, listen to the corresponding podcast, and learn more here. ![]() Lydia Smith, NCDD member and friend, leads the Emory Conversation Project at the Barkley Forum for Debate, Deliberation, and Dialogue at Emory University, helping students improve their skills in discussing tough topics together. Her initiative focuses on developing students' collaborative discussion skills to tackle challenging topics, inspired by her debate background. After attending Interactivity Foundation’s Summer Coach Training, Lydia integrated more interactive activities into ECP, using the Collaborative Discussion Toolkit. This toolkit, organized in modules, enhances students' critical and civic collaboration skills, fostering confidence in dialogue facilitation. The program's success led to its expansion across campus, earning accreditation and institutional support for broader integration, highlighting its transformative impact on students' communication abilities and campus dialogue culture. Read the blog post below and learn more here. ![]() Gear up for productive campus conversations this fall with the upcoming webinar, "Engaging in Challenging Conversations: A Higher Education Webinar." Designed for educators and administrators, this 90-minute session addresses the urgent need for dialogue skills in today's polarized environment. Gain practical strategies to facilitate respectful discussions, set norms for constructive engagement, and navigate contentious issues effectively. Whether you're in higher education, K-12 teaching, or community leadership, join us on August 5th to enhance your ability to foster meaningful dialogue and address pressing challenges on campus. Read more in the blog post below and register now! ![]() Discussing their involvement in Civic Season - the period between Juneteenth and July Fourth - staff from the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh and the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site highlight the initiative's goal to educate young adults about U.S. history and civics through diverse events nationwide. Maggie Gamson, a communications assistant for Made By Us and a student at the University of Central Florida, explores their emphasis on engaging Gen Z to prepare them for leadership roles by understanding and appreciating American history, showcased through activities like scavenger hunts, naturalization ceremonies, happy hours, and more. Read the blog post below and learn more here. ![]() NCDD friends, Campus Compact, supported by the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, announced the Scaling Discourse in Higher Education Project to enhance students' abilities in democratic engagement and address societal challenges. The project will create a virtual platform and resources for faculty, staff, and administrators, available free of charge. Immediate input is sought through a survey to shape these resources, with a campus resource guide to be released this summer addressing current issues. Data submitted before July 4th will help shape some immediate resources, while data submitted after will shape our planning and implementation over the coming academic year. Read the blog post below, learn more and take the survey here. ![]() As Pride Month comes to a close, the work of Invisible Histories is especially important in preserving and honoring the diverse and often overlooked stories of LGBTQ individuals in the region, ensuring their experiences and contributions are recognized and remembered. Invisible Histories is a nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting, researching, and educating about LGBTQ history in the Deep South, viewing archiving as a resistance to oppression. They focus on community engagement, archiving, education, and professional development, aiming to create intergenerational connections, research opportunities, and a network for LGBTQ historians and archivists in the South. Read the blog post below and check out their website here. ![]() The Share Our Organization Toolkit, co-created by NCDD members, Essential Partners, and the 92NY’s Belfer Center, helps organizations leverage diverse perspectives and experiences to foster collaboration, innovation, and belonging. Using Essential Partners’ Reflective Structured Dialogue (RSD) framework, it offers a 5-step process to build trust, navigate difficult discussions, and support diversity and inclusion initiatives. The toolkit aims to enhance employee engagement and organizational development by encouraging healthy communication and resilience. Learn more in the blog post below and read the article here. |
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