The National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) will co-host a webinar with Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation, titled “Talking Democracy (or Not): How Local Newsrooms Choose Their Words” on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 9–10 a.m. Pacific (12 p.m.–1 p.m. Eastern). This post-2024 election discussion will explore how the language used by local journalists and civic practitioners shapes public understanding and participation in democracy. Drawing on new research from Press Forward and PACE’s Civic Language Perceptions Project, the event will examine how words like community, service, and connection often foster more engagement than explicit democracy-focused terms. Participants will hear from experts in journalism and civic engagement about how newsrooms can communicate democratic values effectively while building trust across differences. The session aims to equip attendees with practical tools for inclusive, authentic civic communication that bridges divides and strengthens community participation.

The National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) is proud to partner with the 2025 Online Facilitation Unconference (OFU), taking place from November 17 to 21, a global, participant-driven event that explores how dialogue and collaboration are evolving in the “Intelligent Age.” Centered on the theme "Rethinking How We Work Together in the Intelligent Age," OFU invites facilitators, educators, and community leaders to examine how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping connections and participation. True to its democratic spirit, OFU empowers attendees to co-create the agenda through interactive formats like World Café, Open Space Technology, and Pro-Action Café, ensuring peer learning and collective insight drive the experience. With sessions designed to span global time zones, the event fosters inclusive participation across continents while modeling the collaborative, decentralized practices that strengthen democratic engagement. For NCDD members, OFU offers a timely opportunity to explore how facilitation and dialogue can thrive in virtual, hybrid, and tech-enhanced environments. Read more in the blog post below.

The Close Up Foundation’s National Network of Service Programs (NNSP) is inviting educators, practitioners, and civic engagement leaders to present at its 2026 Annual Conference on Community & Civic Engagement, taking place January 28–30, 2026, in the Washington, D.C. area. The conference brings together educators dedicated to connecting classroom learning with real-world civic action, emphasizing practical strategies for fostering student leadership and social impact. Presenters can apply to lead either 45-minute Engage Workshops for in-depth exploration or 15-minute Inspire Mini-Sessions for concise, high-energy idea sharing. Strong proposals will feature interactive methods, clear learning outcomes, and actionable takeaways that empower educators to strengthen community-engaged learning in their schools. With opportunities for networking, collaboration, and student participation through the concurrent Civic Leadership Summit, this event highlights civic education as essential to preparing students for democratic citizenship. Proposal submissions are open now through the Close Up Foundation. Read more in the blog post below.

Living Room Conversations is hosting a series of virtual dialogues this fall and winter designed to bring people together across differences in a spirit of listening, learning, and mutual understanding. Beginning with a Youth Council-led discussion on media and polarization on October 30th, the lineup continues with national roundtables on political violence in November and a series of December sessions focused on belonging, religious harmony, LGBTQIA+ experiences, community wholeness, and hope. Each conversation offers participants a chance to explore critical social issues while practicing respectful dialogue and empathy. By fostering connection in small, accessible online gatherings, Living Room Conversations aims to counter polarization and strengthen the social fabric through honest, human exchange and shared discovery. Read more in the blog post below.

On October 28, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM ET (11:00 AM to 12:30 PM PT), the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) and the Listen First Project will host a 90-minute webinar titled “Libraries as Civic Hubs: A National Conversation on Dialogue, Deliberation, and Democratic Renewal.” The event will feature four national leaders—Keiva Hummel of NCDD, Karissa Raskin of Listen First Project, Sanobar Wilkins of EveryLibrary, and Annie Caplan of Living Room Conversations—who will discuss how libraries can serve as trusted spaces for connection, civic learning, and democratic participation amid challenges such as censorship and polarization. Drawing from initiatives like the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities, EveryLibrary’s VoteLibraries and Fight for the First, and Living Room Conversations’ dialogue models, the speakers will share tools, case studies, and facilitation strategies to help library staff foster inclusive dialogue and rebuild trust. The webinar highlights a broader movement to position libraries as anchors of civic renewal, bridging divides and strengthening democratic life in communities nationwide.

The Collaborative Discussion Project (CDP) is offering a free toolkit launching in November 2025 to help educators, facilitators, and community leaders strengthen their skills in fostering inclusive and meaningful dialogue across differences. The CDP Toolkit provides adaptable activities and resources designed to build collaborative intelligence and support democratic engagement in classrooms, workplaces, and communities. To introduce these materials, a free online webinar will be held on November 18, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. EST, offering an overview of the toolkit, demonstrations of how to tailor its activities to various contexts, and opportunities for continued collaboration. Closely aligned with the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) mission, the CDP aims to democratize access to facilitation tools that promote equity, understanding, and civic participation, helping people engage more effectively across differences.

The University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy is set to host Democracy360 from October 15–17, 2025—a three-day event designed to reimagine what participatory democracy can look like as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. With programming that blends reflection and action, the gathering invites attendees to do more than listen: to engage directly in conversations, debates, and creative collaborations that strengthen civic trust and democratic practice. From exclusive film previews and community concerts to intimate dinner dialogues and collaborative workshops, Democracy360 exemplifies how broad participation and deep engagement can coexist to inspire democratic renewal. Read more in the blog post below.

The upcoming webinar Libraries as Civic Hubs: A National Conversation on Dialogue, Deliberation, and Democratic Renewal, explores how libraries can serve as trusted spaces for connection, dialogue, and democratic participation. Hosted by the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) and the Listen First Project, this 90-minute session will share practical tools and inspiring examples from leaders in civic engagement, bridge-building, and library work. This event will be held on October 28th, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM ET,  11 AM - 12:30 PM EST. Amid growing polarization and challenges such as censorship and funding pressures, the event highlights strategies to help libraries foster inclusive conversations, strengthen community resilience, and expand collaborative networks. Featuring contributions from EveryLibrary, Living Room Conversations, the Urban Libraries Council, and the American Library Association, the webinar underscores a broader movement to reaffirm libraries as vital democratic spaces. Read more in the blog post below.

​The Center for Purposeful Leadership (CPL) will host its 5th Annual Retreat, Roots & Rising, on October 16–19, 2025, at Camp Onomia in Minnesota. Designed for just 32 in-person participants, the four-day gathering blends personal growth, community building, and leadership development to prepare the next generation of democratic leaders. With a focus on balancing foundational values with innovation, the retreat emphasizes whole-person leadership, authentic connection, and accessibility through flexible payment plans, scholarships, and a hybrid format. Rooted in CPL’s philosophy of “love in action,” the program aligns with efforts to strengthen democracy by cultivating leaders who can engage across differences, navigate complexity with compassion, and invest in long-term civic renewal.

The SNF Ithaca National Student Dialogue, hosted by the University of Delaware’s Biden School of Public Policy & Administration, is shaping the next generation of civic leaders by training college students in the art of respectful dialogue and bipartisan collaboration. Taking place October 16–18, 2025, this gathering empowers students to engage across political divides, develop practical tools for collaborative problem-solving, and carry these skills back to their campuses and communities. By investing in student leadership and fostering constructive engagement, the program strengthens the foundations of American democracy at a time when it is most needed. Read more in the blog post below.