In January 2003, MacNeil/Lehrer Productions (MLP) held a national dialogue, with 344 randomly selected citizens from across the country, on America’s role in the world. (More information on the National Issues Convention is available at www.by-the-people.org). The gathering demonstrated the power of informed public deliberation to spur serious reflection on complex policy choices. To extend and sustain this conversation, By the People held follow-up conversations in January 2004 in cities around the country, in partnership with local public television stations, community foundations, newspapers, universities, and […] (continue)

Do you work with high school-aged youth? Are you looking for online projects to help them learn about current events, improve communication skills, think about global issues, and spend time online? Then maybe NewzCrew (www.NewzCrew.org) is the project for you, where today’s youth discuss tomorrow’s news. For those who would like to see what a NewzCrew dialogue will look like, check out “Everything After 9.11” at www.ea911.org and go to the section called FEATURED DISCUSSIONS. (continue)

The Institute for Philosophy & Public Policy publishes a quarterly journal to stimulate and inform debate about important current issues. Members of the Institute recently created a special website (www.puaf.umd.edu/IPPP/iraq/) about one particular issue of major international importance: media coverage of the war in Iraq. The website poses fundamental questions about the role of the press in wartime. As background, it collects and organizes some of the best relevant writing from philosophy, political science, and journalism. It also provides an opportunity for you to speak […] (continue)

Conference proceedings are available from the November 27, 2003 conference on “Public Deliberation in an Adversarial World” held at Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue. This one-day dialogue forum focusing on John Forester’s work brought together urban and regional planners, community activists, government officials and others concerned with the question “What should planners and other public decision-makers know about inclusive and effective decision-making processes?” www.sfu.ca/dialogue/proceedings.htm (continue)

A recent exhibit at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was designed to foster reflection and dialogue about capital punishment. “Andy Warhol’s Electric Chairs: Reflecting on Capital Punishment in America” presented Warhol’s Electric Chair series of paintings and prints together with diverse audio and written points of view as a catalyst to generate dialogue around the various sides of the capital punishment debate. Go to www.warhol.org/education/electric_chair.html for images from the exhibition, contextual material, audio points of view, visitor responses and more. (continue)

The Community-Police Partnership Awards program, a collaboration between the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (www.liscnet.org) (LISC) and the MetLife Foundation, is designed to recognize innovative collaborations between community groups and police departments. In particular, the selection committee seeks to celebrate the integration of law enforcement and community building to reduce crime, spur investment, reduce blight, develop positive alternatives for at-risk populations, and enhance other indicators of community vibrancy. (continue)

Rob Fersh sent us an update on the USCC on January 8, 2004. Despite Congress’ approval of a $1 million appropriation for establishment of the USCC, we are still waiting for the authorizing legislation to pass. When legislation is passed – and I’m confident that it will be! – the USCC will serve Congress in promoting consensus-based solutions to important national legislative policy issues. The USCC’s role will be to convene diverse stakeholders on a particular issue and build agreements among them that reflect “win/win”, […] (continue)

Through the Petra Fellow Awards program, the New York City-based Petra Foundation (http://petrafoundation.org/) seeks to honor individuals for their distinctive contributions to the human and civil rights, autonomy, and dignity of others. In addition to awarding fellows a modest financial stipend, the organization seeks to amplify their voices, publicize innovative models for change, foster collaborations, and build a network of emerging and experienced leaders who cross the lines of age, race, class, and issue to work together to build a more just society. The deadline […] (continue)

Through its Joel L. Fleishman Fellows in Civil Society program, the Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy at Duke University provides a select group of leaders from domestic nonprofit organizations, international NGOs, foundations, government, socially responsible businesses, and other civil society groups in the U.S. and internationally with the opportunity to come together in residence at the Sanford Institute for a four-week mini-sabbatical. While at Duke, fellows perform research and work with institute faculty and other Duke affiliates on issues related to the development of […] (continue)

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi are the 20th century saints of nonviolence. They showed us that the moral force of love is indeed stronger than the coercive force of oppression. Every year, for 64 days between the anniversaries of the deaths of these two great men (January 30 and April 4), we celebrate the Season for Nonviolence, when individuals and groups all over the world are encouraged to re-commit themselves to nonviolence as a way of life and as a road to […] (continue)