Reading Partners’ Post

In a child-centred nation, governments fully enable the right to play, so a child can simply be a child. Here are 10 key considerations to guide governments towards becoming child-centred nations. https://thersa.co/3yDL2tY

For many years, my friend and partner, Kim Lande and I have dreamed about how we can offer a program to bring respectful, generative dialogue to the community. Now, we’re making it real, and right on time –when our country is facing unimaginable polarization during one of the most divisive election seasons ever. With a grant from the Peacemakers Fund, we’re piloting a three-part program on civil conversations at Christ Presbyterian Church in La Costa that we’ll take to other congregations, schools, and civic organizations and groups. On an individual level, the goal is to give people the tools to have respectful conversations about challenging topics in their everyday lives – at work, school, and at the kitchen table. In the big picture, it’s to create a citizen army of bridgebuilders and peacebuilders in our communities, to have different kinds of conversations about values and personal stories and what people really care about. Here’s the program: Part I, learning how to ask questions of curiosity and listen to understand: This past Sunday, we led a workshop on The Art of Conversation at Christ Presbyterian Church, to a group of 55 very engaged members. They learned, laughed and shared, and had many light bulb moments as they practiced with their groups. It was truly inspiring. Part II: Congregants, who are interested in facilitating as part of the upcoming Evening of Dialogue event, will have a dialogue experience and then learn some skills for facilitating. Part III: Evening of Dialogue: Congregants and their guests will engage in a different kind of conversation about the upcoming elections by focusing on issues, values, and visions for the future of the country. Once we make some refinements, we’ll be taking this on the road. Please reach out if you’re interested in learning more or offering a civil conversations program in your community. We’re ready to change the conversation. Are you? 

The 2001 Bradford Riots were a turning point for our community, revealing deep-seated racial tensions and systemic injustices. In my latest blog post, I explore the causes, aftermath, and the significant progress we’ve made since then. Reflecting on these events, I also discuss the urgent need for accountability and systemic change in light of recent incidents. Dive into this important conversation here: https://lnkd.in/dVfxt2J4

In case you missed it... Our new article by Jay Kennedy, DSC's Director of Policy and Research, explores 5 things national politicians could do to boost civil society. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eusjTw5S

In this piece I talk about how the next UK govt needs to engage with #Charities and #CivilSociety much more and much better, to meet the UK's big social, economic and environmental challenges. This includes: 1. Parity of engagement/influence with other sectors - treating civil society leaders and orgs on a par with business and the public sector. 2. More robust policy scrutiny - so we can help improve govt decisions at the outset and spend less resource fire-fighting bad policy after the fact. 3. Reversing the financial meltdown in local government - this is vital for a multitude of services that help millions of people across the country and millions of people that rely on them. 4. Boosting philanthropy and giving - not to replace the state but so civil society as a whole can recover resilience after the pandemic and cost of living crises. 5. Protect charity independence - including the independence of the Charity Commission and of individual charities, as well as trustees, volunteers, donors and beneficiaries who engage in public debate and the democratic process.

In a child-centred nation, governments fully enable the right to play, so a child can simply be a child. Here are 10 key considerations to guide governments towards becoming child-centred nations: https://thersa.co/4a8GJ7s

In a child-centred nation, governments fully enable the right to play, so a child can simply be a child. Here are 10 key considerations to guide governments towards becoming child-centred nations: https://thersa.co/4a8GJ7s

This National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we acknowledge the painful history and ongoing impact of residential schools in Canada and stand in solidarity with Indigenous communities. 🧡 Here are some ways you can participate: - Wear Orange: Show your support and raise awareness. - Join Local Events: Use #NDTR to find gatherings near you. - Tune In: Watch Remembering The Children, a 90-minute gathering broadcast live from Parliament Hill. - Educate Yourself: Explore the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action and their ongoing impact. Click the link to see how you can get involved and learn more in detail about these initiatives: https://lnkd.in/gHrRzxkc Together, let’s reflect, learn, and commit to meaningful change.

Learning more is the first step.

For Truth and Reconciliation ... According to the A Day to Listen website, - https://downiewenjack.ca/ - ReconciliACTION is a meaningful action that moves reconciliation forward. It is the answer to Gord Downey’s call to ‘Do Something’; do something to raise further awareness, do something that improves the lives of Indigenous people, do something that improves the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people - https://lnkd.in/gBNg2KRQ