Alliance of New York State YMCAs, Inc.’s Post

If you're interested in new forms of public participation (✨ or, maybe, redefining democracy! ✨), my colleague Matthew Byrne and I are speaking at FIDE - North America's Citizens’ Assembly Capacity Building School in Phoenix from October 22-24. Organized by the National Civic League and hosted by the Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes at Arizona State University, the event will dive into how to design and run effective, public deliberative processes. If you're up for a fall trip to Arizona, awesome! Let's go! (Or let me know if you'd like some info or connection to some of these global orgs and pros.) Here's the full agenda: https://ow.ly/341C50TfqzS

May 16, 6–7:30pm ET: At this webinar hosted by American University, panelists will delve into crucial policy considerations in today's educational landscape, reflecting on the enduring legacy of Brown v. Board of Education and offering insights into the policy levers necessary to uphold the ideals set forth by the landmark case, 70 years later. Register: https://lnkd.in/g78sJaFV #BrownVBoard #BrownAt70 #EducationEquity

It’s been a big year for higher ed in Texas. The state’s colleges are at the center of many high-profile conversations about policy and politics — including the banning of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs on campuses and intensifying debates over free speech. At the same time, people across the country are losing faith in their colleges. That's particularly true among Republicans — and it's a dynamic that governors like Greg Abbott are tapping into. What should colleges be doing to regain the public's trust? What would it take to lessen the partisan divide? How can higher ed in Texas get its mojo back? I'll be talking about these issues tomorrow, 9/6, at #TribFest24 with Amy Bosley, Tedd Mitchell, & Harrison Keller. Come join us at 1 p.m. Central. https://trib.it/sBHbuK

In this journal article I explain how the challenges democracy is experiencing are also challenging the ability of teachers to prepare their students for effective democratic engagement https://lnkd.in/eVtCTgbj. In face of these challenges four things give me great hope: 1) Our students, who understand the challenges and have ideas on how to improve their education to better prepare themselves; 2) Upstanders who, facing these challenges are taking a greater interest in democratic civic education; 3) The organization Facing History & Ourselves and it's good work supporting teachers to offer their students high quality civic education; 4) The president of the organization Desmond K. Blackburn, Ph.D, and his stewardship of the organization to greater levels of impact at scale. In this conversation with Desmond we discuss how Facing History is making a difference each day to prepare students who can build a thriving democracy https://lnkd.in/e3gf_m9P More about Facing History, including how to support its good work, here: https://lnkd.in/eBKrKbgB

In the fourth week of the #PoliticalStudiesProgram, fellows will consider the liberal tradition and its expression in America. One section, led by Ryan P. Hanley of Boston College, will introduce students to the thought of the two major figures in American Transcendentalism, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Particular attention will be given to their ideas on individualism, political reform, slavery, and human greatness. Apply for the #PoliticalStudiesProgram by 03.04.24: https://lnkd.in/e_kyUwYn

In high school, when I first started looking at colleges and universities, I knew Kent State University sounded familiar for some reason. A quick Google search let me know that I probably had heard about it in one of my history classes (or perhaps that one old song?). Even after visiting the campus and committing to Kent State, I didn’t full grasp the gravity or the importance of what the tragedy of May 4, 1970, truly meant. All Kent State incoming students learn about the events leading up to and following May 4, 1970. When I became a tour guide for prospective students, I became a steward of the May 4 tragedy story and history. I walked prospective students and their families through the Taylor Hall parking lot, where memorials to the four students killed stand in the middle of the parking lot. This year, reflecting on the Kent State shooting feels a bit different. It is impossible to consider the implications the student protests in the 1970s and not draw parallels to the protests happening on university and college campuses today. My alma mater’s name has been thrown around, both by those urging the National Guard to get involved and stop the protests, and those supporting the students. Kent State’s President Todd Diacon put it well: “My point isn’t to wade into the protests, their structure, demands and organization, nor the opposition to them. Instead, I will simply say this as an historian and as the president of Kent State University: Our history is a bitter and vivid reminder of what happens when division and polarization crowd out peaceful dialogue and the search for understanding. To avoid this division and polarization, we embrace free speech while at the same time encouraging members of our community to practice kindness and respect when debating issues of the day. This is aspirational, we know. The alternatives can be dangerous.” #FlashesForever

Check out our new research about honor cultures and violence in Justice Quarterly! The University of Texas at Dallas School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences at UT Dallas

#Orgullosa #Proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by representing Greater Nevada Credit Union (GNCU) and sharing how we help Latino families access financial literacy and build generational wealth. Did you know I have been a GNCU member since I was a teen? Come join me, Juntos aprendemos más! #HispanicHeritageMonth #togetherwelearnmore #financialliteracy #financialindependence #financialsecurity

There are numerous keynote addresses we've all seen, virtually, or in real life this year. This was flagged to me as one of the best, and I couldn't agree more. Ken Burns, with his knowledge and study of history, reminds us that history doesn't necessarily repeat itself, but it does rhyme, quoting Mark Twain. Burns announces his next remarks are contrary to his usual public persona. And he does go there. Before the new graduates, its leaders and their family and friends of Brandeis University, Burns brilliantly discusses we have a real choice this November. We can listen to what one nominee says every day about how he wants to follow the path of authoritarian dictatorships, overturn the rules of law, ensure he enriches himself and his friends, and chooses winners while he bullies losers. Listen to what he does and says. He will instill people into power who have written plans to destroy our institutions, checks and balances which have served us (mostly very and relatively) well for our nearly 250 years of our imperfect union. The choice is real. We must continue and support our current national and global leader who believes in fairness, justice, international norms, "us vs them," democracy, and our founding principles. Most importantly, he reminds the class of 2024 to vote to ensure they exercise their constitutional right and their personal agency to keep our democracy. Don't stay home. Don't look for perfection. Vote. Vote. Just vote. And help others do the same. Please watch and share. Ken Burns Media, LLC #Democracy #Vote #Commencement #America

"In recent years, Purdue has produced two remarkable Boren Scholars. One of these students is Charlotte Yeung, a #politicalscience student in the College of Liberal Arts and active #humanitarian advocate. Yeung’s mission revolves around mitigating the humanitarian and environmental effects of weaponry across the globe. By blending arts activism and policy development, Yeung aims to increase public awareness of the consequential nature of weapon use while also contributing to research that unmasks the effects of these weapons." Read more about the awesome work Charlotte is doing at https://ow.ly/uUCr50TrJ3I