Unify America

Dr. Emily Stacey from Rose State College recently shared her inspiring experience with the Unify Challenge College Bowl in the Oklahoma Gazette. She highlighted the transformative impact of students engaging in bipartisan conversations about pressing issues like healthcare, climate change, and education. The College Bowl isn’t just a dialogue—it’s a chance for students to practice empathy, critical thinking, and collaboration, key skills for strengthening our democracy. ?? Read more: https://ow.ly/RyXg50Ug4X1 ?? Learn how to bring this experience to your campus: https://ow.ly/Wm6u50Ug4X2 #HigherEdu #CivicEngagement #UnifyChallengeCollegeBowl #BridgingDivides #CivicEducation

?? Have you heard of the "Turkey Illusion?" It’s a common fallacy where we assume that because things have been going smoothly, they’ll always continue that way. This mindset can hold us back from recognizing real risks and preparing for change—especially in civic and public life. How do you encourage your students, team, or colleagues to think beyond what’s familiar? #CivicEngagement #CriticalThinking #TurkeyIllusion #HigherEd #Resilience

In a time of intense division, finding even a tiny thread of hope can feel transformative. This American Life recently aired an episode titled "A Small Thing That Gives Me a Tiny Shred of Hope," highlighting small acts that can bridge the gap between opposing political viewpoints. One story features a politically divided couple searching for news sources they can both trust—a seemingly small step but a powerful reminder that even minor efforts can lead to understanding. For those of us working in civic engagement, these moments underscore the potential of small, meaningful steps in fostering trust and connection. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gK2_H5Fs #CivicEngagement #Dialogue #BridgingDivides #ThisAmericanLife

As we approach Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, you can practice new ways of connecting across differences through the Unify Challenge for All. Open to anyone in America, you can join a guided conversation with someone new and discover firsthand how listening, respect, and shared goals can transform even the most challenging discussions. Consider it a practice round for the conversations you might encounter this season. Sign up: https://lnkd.in/g7gy4ZWV #CivicEngagement #UnifyChallenge #ActiveListening #DialogueSkills

As we explore innovative approaches to civic engagement, New Hampshire Together stands out for its model of collective problem-solving and cross-partisan collaboration. Their citizen's assembly brought "Granite Staters" from diverse backgrounds together to identify pressing issues, examine them from multiple perspectives, and develop actionable solutions. In 2024, the citizens' assembly worked on “Strengthening voter confidence in elections, reducing polarization, and improving political representation.” This focus arose directly from extensive public input, statewide polling, and guidance from a bipartisan advisory panel, reflecting the concerns of residents across New Hampshire. How did the model work? Here are a few key elements: - Inclusive, Nonpartisan Participation: Invitations were extended to all New Hampshire residents to contribute to discussions, ensuring a broad spectrum of voices and ideas. - Groundwork through Dialogue: Before the June citizen's assembly, participants engaged in facilitated small group dialogues—both online and in-person—to collaboratively define problems and begin identifying potential solutions. - Real Policy Impact: 50 residents from around the state met at St. Anselm College to finalize recommendations. These proposals will be crafted into policy for the 2025 legislative session, marking a path from citizen input to legislative action. This model also addresses critical challenges in today’s civic space. By centering on a citizen-driven process, New Hampshire Together built well-supported, thoughtfully crafted proposals that policymakers view as achievable. It’s a potential safeguard against misinformation, leveraging human interaction to drive public problem-solving over divisive rhetoric. To learn more and witness the powerful work of Granite Staters tackling complex issues, watch the video below (source: https://lnkd.in/g6JcgUNd) and visit their site: (https://lnkd.in/gNxU6hGm) What role do you think citizen assemblies could play in tackling today’s biggest challenges? #CivicEngagement #CitizenAssembly #HigherEd #NewHampshire

This fall, Cabot, a student at Duke University, joined students nationwide in the Unify Challenge College Bowl, stepping into a conversation with someone from a different background. For him, the experience was both eye-opening and impactful, pushing him to engage with fresh perspectives on critical topics. ?? Cabot shared how this experience not only expanded his understanding but also equipped him with skills for respectful dialogue – a key component of thriving in today’s complex social landscape. #CivicEngagement #HigherEd #UnifyChallenge #StudentVoices #DialogueSkills #Empathy

Curious about where democracy-strengthening work is happening across the U.S.? National Civic League just launched their 2024 Healthy Democracy Ecosystem Map—an incredible resource showcasing the many organizations and communities working to improve the state of our democracy. ?? This interactive map shines a light on the variety of efforts underway, from fostering inclusive civic engagement to promoting equity, accountability, and transparency in governance. It's a powerful visual of how people across the nation are stepping up to tackle challenges and create a healthier democratic landscape. Explore the map to see where organizations, including community groups, nonprofits, and local governments, are working toward sustainable change. With so many inspiring initiatives highlighted, this map is a reminder that a thriving democracy is built by local communities. ?? You can explore the incredible work happening all around us here: https://lnkd.in/g_vvHVEU #Democracy #CivicEngagement #NationalCivicLeague #HealthyDemocracy #CommunityEmpowerment #CivicLeadership

The recent Divided We Fall article offers a nuanced look at political disengagement, challenging us to rethink civic duty from multiple angles. From acknowledging that “voting is not about the individual” to respecting that disengagement can, in itself, reflect civic responsibility, the article highlights complex arguments around political participation. Ideas like “not engaging in the system can change the system” invite readers to consider the broader impact of how—and why—people engage in democracy. Amid these thoughtful perspectives, we’re especially proud to celebrate Professor Leah Murray of Weber State University, who has worked tirelessly to cultivate civic responsibility among her students. As an early champion of the Unify Challenge College Bowl, she demonstrates that civic duty can be brought to life in the classroom. Professor Murray’s commitment to these conversations ensures that students not only reflect on the diverse meanings of civic engagement but also carry those insights beyond the campus. ?? Read the full article here for more on how political disengagement challenges our understanding of civic duty and reflect on the role educators play in shaping these conversations: https://lnkd.in/eaHD6uj3 #CivicEngagement #HigherEd #PoliticalDisengagement #WeberStateUniversity #CivicDuty #UnifyChallenge

We’re thrilled to announce that Unify America's team will be presenting at the 44th Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience, taking place February 16-19, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana! In today’s polarized world, fostering essential civic skills is more crucial than ever. This session will dive into how initiatives like the Unify Challenge College Bowl and our Deep Dive program are equipping over 20,000 first-year students across 40+ states with the tools to engage in meaningful dialogue and build the foundations for lifelong civic engagement. Through these experiences, students gain the skills to understand diverse perspectives, critically reflect on their viewpoints, and practice respectful, constructive conversations—foundational skills for their academic and civic lives. Join us to explore how first-year programming can empower students to connect across differences and become civically prepared for the future. We’re eager to share our insights and host a booth at this conference geared toward learning with fellow educators committed to student success. Register to attend: https://lnkd.in/g4vDB-WW #CivicEngagement #FirstYearExperience #HigherEd #UnifyAmerica #CivicSkills #FYE2025 #EngageAcrossDifferences

Over two weekends in October, 25 residents of Bend, Oregon, from across the political spectrum, came together for the Deschutes Civic Assembly on Youth Homelessness. Guided by experts and driven by personal stories, participants shaped over a dozen recommendations aimed at reducing youth homelessness, including: - Programs to help foster youth transition at 18. - A central hub for at-risk teens to access support services. - Enhancements to foster care, informed by legal insights. “It’s the first time I’ve ever felt my voice mattered,” shared Brenda, an assembly participant. As the recommendations head to local decision-makers, one stands out: a call for more assemblies, emphasizing housing affordability next. This pilot, led by the Central Oregon Civic Action Project (COCAP), shows the potential of citizen-driven solutions to tackle complex issues. [Video from DemocracyNext: https://ow.ly/Ojil50U1qHX] #DeliberativeDemocracy #CivicEngagement #YouthHomelessness #DeschutesCounty #Collaboration