External link for America in One Room
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Join us Thursday, September 12 as we unpack the data and impact of America in One Room: The Youth Vote! During this hour-long online webinar, alumni, donors, and partners will: ◻ walk through youth priorities ahead of Election Day ◻ hear from participants about their experience ◻ learn how Close Up and the Stanford Deliberative Democracy Lab are spreading a culture of deliberative dialogue this election year through upcoming virtual deliberations with youth nationwide. Hosted by Close Up President Mia Charity Close Up Chief Innovation and Programs Officer Lindsay Greenberg, and Associate Director of the Deliberative Democracy Lab (DDL) at Stanford University Alice Siu. Register today at https://bit.ly/3z93WZM If you are interested in how this report affects students and teachers this school year, join us for our subsequent deep dives for educators and universities on September 17 and September 19: https://bit.ly/3XflYlm
America in One Room reposted this
Executive Vice President, Global Strategies – Personal Care Products Council | Global Advocacy & Public Policy | Strategic Initiatives & Coalition Building | Passionate about Advancing Civic Engagement
The results are in from last month's America in One Room: the Youth Vote event, which brought together nearly 500 first-time voters from all across the country to deliberate on serious issues facing our country-the economy, climate, healthcare, and democracy. Analysis shows the deliberative process led to greater cohesion on issues, more respect for divergent viewpoints and more satisfaction with how our democracy can work. Read the report to learn more about the viewpoints of young Americans -some will surprise you! I was honored to serve as a moderator for this event last month and look forward to future deliberative democracy experiences. Close Up Foundation Stanford Deliberative Democracy Lab
“They’re not just here to reflect on history, but to be part of it.” America in One Room delegates Amelia, Chardon, and Elaine sat down with Good Morning America to discuss their A1R experiences in a segment that aired last week. All three delegates discussed the importance of representing their diverse communities in political discussions and the benefits of the differences in opinion that result from their varied backgrounds. These delegates know that our disagreements are an opportunity, not a problem – so long as we engage in meaningful dialogue and work to understand those who have different perspectives. That’s what America in One Room is all about, and it’s why the program focused not only on facilitating dialogue, but also on equipping delegates with the tools they need to continue having meaningful conversations in their hometowns. Watch the full GMA segment here: https://lnkd.in/e_kF4Amm
America in One Room -- the Youth Vote offered delegates a new picture of politics, centered on deliberation instead of debate. Through issue briefings, expert panels, and moderated discussions, A1R fostered informed communication between people from across the political spectrum, allowing participants to understand each other more deeply than ever before. And the skills, empathy, and knowledge that our delegates gained over the course of four days in D.C. will stay with them for years to come. Helena Close Up Foundation Stanford Deliberative Democracy Lab
“We are doing democracy here, and it’s actually working.” America in One Room – the Youth Vote was an experiment about the power of face-to-face conversation and informed deliberation to bring people together and inspire engagement in our democracy. And the results prove that deliberation works. NBC’s writeup on America in One Room – the Youth Vote discusses those results and gets at the heart of what A1R is all about: fostering mutual understanding through deliberation. Several of our A1R delegates discuss their experiences and takeaways from the event, and Helena CEO Henry Elkus explains his vision for America in One Room. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/ej43RhWy
In her article for Ms. Magazine, Rachel Lonker writes about her five takeaways from watching America in One Room participants discuss healthcare policies surrounding issues like mental health and reproductive health. Check out her feature here! https://lnkd.in/e35kg8SM
Thanks so much for sharing these insightful reflections William Lucente!
Over the weekend of July 19-22, I was honored to participate in the debut iteration of America in One Room: The Youth Vote, compiling 500 first-time voters from all 50 states over four days to deliberate on issues raised in the upcoming presidential election, along with expert panelists engaging in discussions based on issues raised within deliberation groups. The popular depiction of today’s political environment within the United States often lends itself to notions of abject division and polarization, painting those of juxtaposed viewpoints as strict enemies as opposed to allies working toward a collective goal of prosperity. Within this perspective, the “red” or “blue” labels of ideological identity cast lines of separation, forming barriers which restrict discussion, discourage cooperation, and deter progress in its most genuine form. This concept was addressed throughout the program in no larger way than the sheer level of diversity among participants. Some from red states, others from blue states, some from cities of millions, others from towns of no more than a few hundred - the only true common denominator being a shared belief in the importance of democratic participation and civic engagement, a sentiment provoking a sense of sincerity and community throughout the program. Within our deliberations, disagreements were more common than any unanimous consensus, a feature that arguably enhanced the quality of our discussions. While potentially divisive, this was a crucial element of what made our discourse so valuable. Contrasting viewpoints were shared not as weapons intended to destruct or malign the positions of others, but as tools used to challenge our preconceived notions and ideas regarding the issues of our society, strengthening our collective understanding and awareness of the issues we spoke so passionately about. In doing so, we arrived at a mutual view more valuable than any specific issue discussed, this being a common appreciation of the necessity to hold a willingness to contemplate, consider, and truly listen to the ideas of others in order to achieve success beyond the scope of the individual. Being able to engage in in-depth discussions with voters from all 50 states on the challenging issues of today’s political environment was a truly incredible experience. This opportunity equipped us with the ability to observe issues through lenses of shared reflection as opposed to merely the experience of a single individual, leaving myself and other participants with a newfound regard for the impact of collective dialogue within a democracy going into the November election. With this, I want to extend my immense gratitude towards America in One Room, the Close Up Foundation, The Generation Lab, Helena, the Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making, and the Stanford Deliberative Democracy Lab, along with all of the panelists, organizers, and participants who made this truly groundbreaking event possible.
America in One Room provides a forum for participants to connect outside of their echo chambers, to deliberate instead of debate, and to engage with democracy on informed and empathetic terms. Our participants will bring this experience back to their hometowns, equipped with the skills and resources to scale meaningful civic discourse in their schools and communities. Helena Close Up Foundation The Generation Lab