NCDD Member Organization, Healthy Democracy, recently shared an article on a citizens' assembly in Deschutes County, Oregon, brought together a diverse group of residents to deliberate on youth homelessness. Participants, selected through a lottery, engaged in structured discussions and expert-led panels to develop policy recommendations. The initiative demonstrated how ordinary people can navigate complex political issues effectively, fostering constructive dialogue in contrast to the usual polarization seen in public discourse. Read more in the blog post below and on Healthy Democracy's site here.

NCDD friends, the McCourtney Institute for Democracy, is offering an incredible opportunity for D&D organizations to host an intern from their Nevins Democracy Leaders Program. The Nevins Fellows program, presented by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy, provides students with hands-on experience at organizations dedicated to bridging divides and fostering collaboration. Through coursework and immersive internships, students develop the skills necessary to facilitate conversations and work toward bipartisan solutions. Applications for the Summer 2025 cohort are now open, with a Friday, February 17 deadline. Learn more in the blog post below and on their website here. 

Fort Collins is collaborating with several organizations to conduct a civic assembly process for determining the future use of the former Hughes Stadium site. Key partners include the Healthy Democracy Fund, The American Public Trust, CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation, the Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership, and the Local Policy Lab. These groups aim to ensure the process is inclusive, representative, and focused on depolarizing discussions, engaging underrepresented voices, and fostering collaborative problem-solving. Read more in the blog post below!

Democracy in the Digital Age Summer Institute
June 22–27, 2025 | Stanford University | Palo Alto, CA

How does technology impact our society and politics? What policies do we need to ensure that technology plays a productive role in our future? During this weeklong institute, hosted in partnership by Close Up and the Deliberative Democracy Lab at Stanford University (DDL), students will explore how rapid changes in technology impact our democracy and elections, the global environment, education and learning, and labor and the workforce. You’ll hear from tech innovators, policymakers, academics, and advocates to evaluate a variety of policy options at the intersection of technology and society, and produce a youth report with recommendations on how to make social media more democratic. All attendees will be eligible for a Certification in Civil Discourse through Close Up and DDL. Complete the interest form here.

Join an info session on January 30th, 2025 at 12pm EST, 10am MST! Register here.

​The "Five Practices for Better College Discussions" workshop series began on September 25th, offering college students tools to enhance collaborative communication skills. Led by IF Collaborative Discussion Coach Cuda Zmuda, the session introduced exercises to help students communicate openly, compromise, and build on each other's ideas, even with new people in a virtual setting. Sydney McKee, a high school senior, found the experience eye-opening, noting it helped participants move beyond "selfish communication." The series continues on November 20th with a focus on moving beyond binary thinking, offering skills valuable for academic and personal success. Read more in the blog post below. 

NCDD members, the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement, encourages thoughtful dialogue about democracy, beyond just voting, especially during uncertain election outcomes. The center advises reflecting on personal biases, practicing patience, and fostering empathy by actively listening and respecting diverse perspectives. The guide suggests fostering a “brave space” for open, respectful conversations, emphasizing collaboration over competition to reduce polarization. It also highlights the importance of media literacy in evaluating information sources and offers faculty, staff, and students a framework for engaging in meaningful discussions about democracy and public issues. Read more in the blog post below!

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.