Empowering mediators and facilitators to strengthen democracy through local action and civic engagement.
Discover how your skills as a mediator or facilitator can drive meaningful change. The Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy provides tools, support, and a community to turn your expertise into action that strengthens democracy at every level. Our country is navigating significant tensions and societal divisions, and your unique abilities are needed now more than ever.
Join Our Next PMD Monthly Forum
Connect with fellow facilitators, mediators, and civic leaders to exchange insights, explore new strategies, and engage in conversations that strengthen democracy in your community.
- Next Forum: May 1
- Continuing on First Thursdays.
- Time: 1pm ET, 12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT
- Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
- What to Expect: An open forum for dynamic discussions, innovative idea exchanges, and meaningful connections with practitioners from across the country, all focused on amplifying democratic engagement.
Join the BUILD Community of Practice
BUILD Community of Practice is a lab and learning space for conflict engagement and other practitioners who are working on pro-democracy efforts. It is also a ‘connecting space’ for lay and professional practitioners who are just beginning to explore how to bring their skills to community-building and democracy spaces. Held every 2nd Thursday of the month. Learn more.
- Date: Thursday, December 12th
- Continuing on Second Thursdays
- January 9th
- February 13th
- March 13th
- April 13th
- Continuing on Second Thursdays
- Time: 1pm ET, 12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT
- Location: Virtual (via Zoom)
- What to Expect: A supportive space for practitioners to reflect, ideate, and exchange insights, where we explore solutions, ask clarifying and creative questions, and share resources to navigate complex pro-democracy work while fostering growth and resilience.
The Role of Practitioners in Strengthening Democracy
Democracy thrives when individuals are connected, engaged, and feel that their voices matter. Mediators and facilitators create environments where meaningful conversations happen—where people listen, understand, and work together toward solutions.
- Fostering Deeper Understanding: Practitioners help communities explore perspectives and find shared values, ensuring every voice is heard in democratic discourse.
- Encouraging Inclusive Participation: Facilitators create spaces where everyone has a seat at the table, strengthening democracy by fostering engagement from those who may feel unheard.
- Guiding Collaborative Conversations: Practitioners enable thoughtful dialogue around complex issues, leading to solutions based on shared community values.
- Strengthening Civic Engagement: Facilitators provide tools for communities to take collective action toward the future they want to build.
What Mobilization Means
Mobilization empowers mediators, facilitators, and civic professionals to use their skills to foster dialogue, promote civic participation, and strengthen democracy. It’s about taking local action—creating spaces for meaningful conversations and guiding communities toward shared solutions.
Mediators and facilitators don’t just support democracy—they actively shape and sustain it. Their work ensures democracy remains resilient, adaptable, and rooted in dialogue that brings people together rather than pushing them apart. Join our monthly PMD forums to exchange ideas, learn new strategies, and connect with practitioners nationwide as we work together to create a more connected and thriving democracy.
Mediators and facilitators don’t just support democracy—they actively shape and sustain it. Their work ensures democracy remains resilient, adaptable, and rooted in dialogue that brings people together rather than pushing them apart. Join our monthly PMD forums to exchange ideas, learn new strategies, and connect with practitioners nationwide as we work together to create a more connected and thriving democracy.
The Four Pillars of the Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy
Explore Your Path: Each of us engages with democracy in a unique and personal way. Whether you feel called to connect with others, build your skills, lead local efforts, or expand your impact nationally, your contribution is invaluable. Democracy thrives when individuals pursue their own journey, finding where they can best foster dialogue, support civic participation, and create change. We encourage you to explore these pillars and choose your own adventure in building a stronger, more connected democracy.
Connect and Get Inspired
Join a network of practitioners to exchange ideas and collaborate in fostering democratic participation.
Join a network of practitioners to exchange ideas and collaborate in fostering democratic participation.
Learn and Build Skills
Access tools, training, and resources to develop your facilitation skills and civic engagement efforts.
Access tools, training, and resources to develop your facilitation skills and civic engagement efforts.
- Articles, Newsletters, and Blogs
- Guides and Toolkits
- Workshops and Trainings
Engage Locally
Lead conversations and initiatives that strengthen democratic participation in your local community.
Lead conversations and initiatives that strengthen democratic participation in your local community.
- Host a Conversation
- Join a Local Group
- Get Involved in Local Politics
Engage Nationally
Engage with national organizations and movements to expand the impact of your work across the country.
Engage with national organizations and movements to expand the impact of your work across the country.
- Join National Organizations
- Participate in National Events
- Engage with National Movements
Definitions
- By "practitioner", we mean everyone who is a facilitator, mediator, host, convenor, community-builder, activist and/or organizer, -- whether formal or informal, paid or volunteer, relatively new or relatively experienced.
- By "democracy", we mean a way of life where when we make decisions together for the benefit of the larger whole, we listen to and consider one another's perspectives.
- A republican form of government is one where we vote for representatives. A republic can be democratic to the degree that elections are based on informed consideration of issues.
- We see healthy democracies as leader-full. Democracy thrives when we have accountable, facilitative leadership at all levels.
Support This Initiative
We invite you to join us in our mission to strengthen democracy through meaningful dialogue and civic engagement. Your support is essential in empowering facilitators and mediators to foster deeper connections and build more resilient communities.
Join NCDD
Become a member of the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) and be part of a vibrant network of practitioners dedicated to strengthening democracy. Explore the benefits of membership and connect with like-minded individuals committed to this important work.
Join NCDD
Become a member of the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) and be part of a vibrant network of practitioners dedicated to strengthening democracy. Explore the benefits of membership and connect with like-minded individuals committed to this important work.
Donate to Support This Initiative
Help sustain the Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy initiative by making a donation. Your contributions will directly support the forums, resources, and training that empower practitioners to lead democratic conversations in their communities. Your financial support also helps cover the staff time needed to make this work possible, ensuring that we can continue to offer these critical opportunities. Please feel mention this initiative in your donation note.
Help sustain the Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy initiative by making a donation. Your contributions will directly support the forums, resources, and training that empower practitioners to lead democratic conversations in their communities. Your financial support also helps cover the staff time needed to make this work possible, ensuring that we can continue to offer these critical opportunities. Please feel mention this initiative in your donation note.
About Us
We are a unified coalition of individuals and organizations comprising facilitators, dialogue practitioners, community mediators, and conflict resolution specialists. Bound by our passion for strengthening democracy, we invite practitioners from all backgrounds and experience levels to join us in our collective pursuit of a vibrant and inclusive democratic landscape.
We are a unified coalition of individuals and organizations comprising facilitators, dialogue practitioners, community mediators, and conflict resolution specialists. Bound by our passion for strengthening democracy, we invite practitioners from all backgrounds and experience levels to join us in our collective pursuit of a vibrant and inclusive democratic landscape.