Action for Connection is an initiative aimed at reducing social isolation by fostering meaningful community relationships. It provides resources such as community guides, workshops, and policy advocacy tools to help individuals and organizations build stronger social bonds. Through personal stories and practical steps, the initiative promotes inclusivity and highlights the mental health benefits of connectedness. Read the blog post below and visit Action for Connection for more details on how to get involved.

​The Unify Challenge College Bowl is a nationwide event designed to foster thoughtful dialogue among college students with different perspectives. Through one-on-one virtual discussions, students tackle pressing issues such as mental health, gun laws, and immigration, aiming to understand diverse viewpoints. With over 14,000 participants from 205 schools, the program encourages civic engagement, helping students reconsider their views and boost voter participation. Read the blog post below and learn more here. 

The "5 Practices for Better College Discussions Workshop Series" offers a series of free, virtual workshops designed to help college students enhance their discussion skills for academic, community, and professional settings. Held on select dates from September 25 to November 20, 2024, these workshops will teach essential skills such as co-creation, asking better questions, and navigating complex discussions. Participants will learn how to communicate effectively, appreciate diverse perspectives, and engage in creative brainstorming. The series is open to all college students, and attendees can register for individual sessions or the entire series. Read the blog post below and learn more here.

​The "America in One Room: The Youth Vote" initiative conducted a Deliberative Poll involving 430 first-time voters to gauge their opinions on key issues for the 2024 Presidential Election. After deliberation, participants showed significant changes in their perspectives on energy, the economy, health care, and democracy. The results highlighted shifts towards more nuanced views, with increased support for clean energy and reproductive health care, but decreased support for some progressive economic policies. The event demonstrated Gen Z's capacity for thoughtful discussion across political divides and suggested an increased faith in democratic processes among young voters. Read the blog post below and learn more here.

In The Open System podcast, ​Matt Leighninger, director of the Center for Democracy Innovation at the National Civic League, joins Doannie Tran and Landon Mascareñaz to explore the evolving relationship between education and democracy. Leighninger highlights efforts to transform public meetings using technology and deliberative processes to build civic trust. Tran and Mascareñaz advocate for viewing democracy as a dynamic system that requires innovation, such as liberatory design and co-creation in public decision-making. Despite the challenges of polarization, the team remains hopeful, emphasizing the public's desire for community collaboration and democratic innovation. Read the blog post below and listen to the podcast here.

At the beginning of July, with support from Central Oregon's city and county governments, over 12,750 letters were sent inviting residents to enter a lottery for a Civic Assembly on Youth Homelessness. This assembly, scheduled for fall 2024, aims to address the rise in youth homelessness in Deschutes County through a diverse, representative group of thirty selected participants who will study the issue and propose policy recommendations. The initiative, led by DemocracyNext and NCDD members, Healthy Democracy, is part of the Central Oregon Civic Action Project (COCAP) and seeks to foster inclusive, effective public decision-making. A Civic Lottery event on August 1 will select the assembly members and engage the public in the process. Read the blog post below and learn more here.

Join us for the "Engaging in Challenging Conversations: A Higher Education Webinar" on Monday, August 5, 2024, from 1:30 to 3 pm Eastern. Just one week away, this 90-minute session, designed for college and university faculty, K-12 teachers, and community leaders, will provide practical strategies for productive and respectful dialogue. Key topics include setting conversation goals, creating group agreements, encouraging diverse perspectives, and asking deliberative questions. Register now at bit.ly/EngaginginChallengingConversations and read more in the blog post below. 

​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.