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 civil society. As part of the fellowship, housing and program expenses are covered. Fellows also receive a $6,000 stipend. Deadline: May 1, 2004. www.pubpol.duke.edu/centers/civil/

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 peace and social change.
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The 2004 National Youth survey provides the latest polling data on Americans between the ages of 15-25, including the issues they care about, their levels of trust and volunteering, and their attitudes toward government. The survey also reveals that while the Internet does not currently pull many otherwise disengaged youth into politics, it does seem to hold some promise for mobilizing partisan, ideological, and engaged young people. In particular, the most effective online campaign techniques were online chat rooms, e-mails on issues, “blogs” geared to youth, and candidate events like those organized by Meetup.org.

The survey was sponsored by CIRCLE (The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement) and the Center for Democracy and Citizenship at The Council for Excellence in Government. Go to www.civicyouth.org/research/products/national_youth_survey2004.htm to learn more.

RESOLVE’s President, Gail Bingham, has been appointed to a National Research Council panel on “Public Participation in Environmental Assessment and Decision-Making” and is serving on a federal advisory committee convened by the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution on how collaborative approaches can enhance the goals described in Section 101 of the National Environmental Policy Act. Contact Gail Bingham at gbingham@resolv.org to learn more.

WorldLink is a program that thinks big: it stimulates discussion among young people, leaders and other activists about the international dynamics and challenges that shape global policies and economics. NCDD learned about WorldLink’s efforts from the Public Conversations Project (PCP). PCP Associate Meenaskshi Chakraverti recently participated in a WorldLink event for nearly 700 high school students sponsored by the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice at the University of San Diego. By providing these types of forums, Worldlink encourages students to assume the role of responsible global citizens and joint problem solvers. For more information, visit www.youthworldlink.org or http://peace.sandiego.edu

In a January 21, 2004 article in the South Bend Tribune, Gene Stowe reports on campus dialogue efforts to bridge racial divisions on campus through sustained dialogue. Click below for the article.
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A January 24, 2004 article by Mark Adams for Arab News stated “The World Economic Forum announced the official launch yesterday of the Council of 100 Leaders. The group aims to become the foremost community of senior political, religious, business, media and opinion leaders to promote understanding and dialogue between the Western and Islamic worlds.”
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