NIFI News

Watch the Video - Middle School Students Deliberate about Historical Choices

Jul 21, 2015 By National Issues... 1 Comments

Watch this eight-minute video about a collaboration between Windsor Middle School students and teachers; and State University of New York (SUNY), Broome, that introduced 7th and 8th graders to the practice of deliberating events in U.S. history as difficult choices among several possible approaches. The video was published to YouTube on June 24, 2015.

David Mathews Center for Civic Life Announces Fall 2015 Teachers' Institute

Jul 20, 2015 By National Issues... 0 Comments

The David Mathews Center for Civic LIfe in Montevallo, Alabama, has announced a fall, 2015, Teachers' Institute tol be held October 1-2, 2015.

The following is from a recent newsletter from the David Mathews Center for Civic Life:

Seeing, Hearing, and Discovering Civilization - Reflections by Barbara Brown

Jun 27, 2015 By National Issues... 1 Comments

When I was thirteen I had a dream. In the dream I was given a challenge; if I could “find” civilization, my life –and everyone else’s life- would be longer and better.

cover of issue guide Understanding and Eradicating Rape Culture

A Report and Issue Guide - "Understanding and Eradicating Rape Culture: Creating a 'Culture of Consent' on the University of Kentucky's Campus"

Jun 22, 2015 By National Issues... 0 Comments

Understanding and Eradicating Rape Culture: Creating a "Culture of Consent" on the University of Kentucky's Campus, is a 36-page report about the creation of an issue guide (included in the report appendix), and the findings from five forums in which University of Kentucky students deliberated about three possible options presented in the issue guide.

Now in Paperback - "Democracy in the Making"

Jun 22, 2015 By National Issues... 0 Comments

The book, Democracy in the Making, by Arthur S. Meyers, is now available in paperback.

The publisher, Rowman & Littlefield describes Democracy in the Making:

Join a Workshop (Dayton, Ohio) to Learn about Moderating for Online Deliberation

Jun 11, 2015 By National Issues... 1 Comments

We need some way to be able to take National Issues Forums online.

NIF moderators and conveners have been telling us this for years.

Well, we heard you.

"Bridging and Bonding" - From the General Federation of Women's Clubs, an Issue Guide about Creating Engaged Communities in a Time of Rapid Change

Jun 09, 2015 By National Issues... 0 Comments

The 16-page issue guide, titled Bridging and Bonding: How Can We Create Engaged Communities in a Time of Rapid Change? was created by the General Federation of Women's Clubs in collaboration with the Kettering Foundation and Franklin Pierce University.

Deliberation in the Classroom screen shot

Watch the Video - "Deliberation in the Classroom"

Jun 09, 2015 By National Issues... 0 Comments

This 19-minute YouTube video features students in Wisconsin and Alabama as they participate in deliberative forums using materials from the National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI). In Birmingham, Alabama, teacher, Zakiya Jenkins, with assistance from Peggy Sparks, of Sparks Consulting, reflects on eighth-grade student deliberations about Youth and Violence.

New Book - "Public Participation for 21st Century Democracy" by Tina Nabatchi and Matt Leighninger

Jun 04, 2015 By National Issues... 0 Comments

Now available from the publisher, Wiley, or on Amazon, Public Participation for 21st Century Democracy, is a new book by Tina Nabatchi, and Matt Leighninger.

cover of 2015 Alabama Civic Health Index

Read - The 2015 Alabama Civic Health Index (David Mathews Center for Civic Life)

Jun 02, 2015 By National Issues... 0 Comments

The 2015 Alabama Civic Health Index is now available to read online. The Index is a report about the status of three key indicators in a region or state; political action, social connectedness, and public work. The indicators are defined as follows:

Political action - composed of voting, discussing politics with family and friends, contacting public officials, expressing a public opinion online, and buying or boycotting products

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