Check out the new DemocracyU website, the internet home to the American Commonwealth Partnership. The website highlights the inspiring work that engaged students are achieving at universities, colleges and communities across the country. The site will include students’ personal stories of off-campus activities as well as discussion and debate on the evolving role of university and college students in engaging in public work that benefits society. (continue)

This new report from the Institute for Local Government focuses on youth engagement with local governments, particularly on the issues of climate change and energy. The white paper looks at the impact of youth boards and commissions in some California cities, youth involvement in public meetings, and creating programming geared toward a younger audience. The report compiles a fairly comprehensive set of resources to use when thinking about and developing youth involvement strategies. This white paper originally appeared as an article in the September 2011 ... (continue)

This post includes details on a new National Issues Forums documentary film on how schools can use deliberation to uncover the best ways for them to address the achievement gap. The film will be aired on PBS stations around the country in 2011, and you can (1) request a free copy of the film and (2) help make sure your local PBS station airs the film. (continue)

Even with a high school diploma, too many students these days arrive at college lacking the right kind of preparation, knowledge and attitude to succeed. This Public Agenda Choicework guide explores the question: How can our community work together to ensure that students arrive ready for success in college? Based on decades of research and experience concerning how average citizens think and talk about issues, Public Agenda’s Choicework Discussion Starters are designed to help groups and communities talk productively about public problems. Public Agenda’s Choicework ... (continue)

Different people often have different ideas about what the goals of afterschool programs should be. Given that resources for afterschool programs are limited, and no single program can be all things to all people, communities need to make decisions about what kinds of afterschool programs they want to invest in. This Public Agenda Choicework guide explores the question: What kind of after school program do you think is best for your community, and why? Based on decades of research and experience concerning how average citizens ... (continue)

This 2010 Public Agenda Choicework guide explores the question: What can we do, in our schools and community, to keep young people in school and on track for graduation? In today’s world, a high school diploma is not just a good idea, it’s essential. It’s essential for individuals and their futures. In fact, over their lifetimes, high school dropouts earn roughly $200,000 less than high school graduates and about $1.4 million less than college graduates. It’s essential for our community as well. We need an ... (continue)

The theme for Arsalyn’s 2007 annual youth conference, which took place in D.C. August 9-12, 2007, was “Bridging the Partisan Divide: Rediscovering Deliberation,” and NCDD was proud to play a major role at the event. Arsalyn invited 150 young people ages 16-20 to the 2007 conference to learn the art of political deliberation. This event is part of a series of conferences geared toward helping young people – especially politically active youth – develop skills that will help them communicate effectively with those of opposing ... (continue)

The mission of Global Kids is to prepare urban youth to become global citizens and community leaders. Global Kids works to ensure that young people of diverse backgrounds have the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in the workplace and participate in the shaping of public policy and international relations. Global Kids conducts online and face-to-face dialogues for high-school students. (continue)

Project 540 is an innovative program which has given over 100,000 students nationwide the opportunity to engage in dialogue about issues that matter to them and to turn these conversations into real school and community change. Funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and administered by Providence College, Project 540 has conducted student-led dialogues in nearly 250 high schools, asking students what issues matter most to them in their schools, communities, nation, and world. (continue)

The mission of Search for Common Ground-USA is to foster cooperation among people who have different views on how to achieve social progress and to encourage the use of cooperative approaches as a first option for addressing differences. We bring diverse stakeholders together to build consensus solutions to specific, important issues at the national, state and local levels; and we build institutions that foster cooperation and consensus-building over time. (continue)