A February 17, 2021 webinar marked the official national launch of the Youth and Opportunity: What Should We Do for Future Generations to Thrive? issue discussion guide that was co-produced by the National Issues Forums Institute  (NIF) and Up to Us. 

"Up to Us is thrilled to partner with the National Issues Forums on the Youth and Opportunity issue guide. Young people deserve to live happy and prosperous lives, but many fear that won't be possible given the current gridlock in Congress and the country. This guide explores those challenges and asks what can we do about it." - Christy Stanker, Senior Program Manager, Net Impact

Webinar presenters Betty Knighton, Christy Stanker, Brad Rourke, Kara Dillard, and Patty Dineen introduced participants to the issue guide framework and supporting materials available to use to enrich deliberative forums in person and online. Examples of how to host a virtual forum were also shared. And qualified moderators (higher education-affiliated faculty, administrators, and students) were encouraged to apply to an innovative Micro Grant program for a $150 grant to support use of the Youth and Opportunityissue guide in a deliberative forum.

Click here to watch the recorded webinar.

About the Micro Grant program:

Up to Us, a nonpartisan movement of young people who care about economic sustainability, and an initiative of Net Impact, is offering a $150 micro grant to moderators who are affiliated with an accredited US-based college or university who are hosting a forum using the Youth and Opportunity issue guide. 

To be considered for the grant, fill out a simple application by May 1, 2021 and host a forum before June 30, 2021.

About the issue discussion guide and advisory

Youth and Opportunity: What Should We Do for Future Generations to Thrive?

This discussion guide is designed to help Americans deliberate together about what we should do to address unprecedented challenges that may hinder future generations from leading successful and economically secure lives. The guide outlines three different ways of considering the issue. Each suggests actions we might take, along with trade-offs we would have to accept. Altogether, these options allow participants to explore important values and tensions shared by many. Information in this guide raises crucial questions for which there are no easy answers.

• Will the next generation, like those before it, be able to build an economically secure future, or will it face too many unprecedented challenges that undercut its prospects?
• Should present-day priorities be more important than our obligations to future generations?
• Is the next generation receiving the education and support it needs to succeed?
• Are there disparities that we should be addressing today to enable future generations to prosper tomorrow?

Bolstering the chances of success for future generations requires us to consider choices that cut across conventional partisan lines and generational differences. What course of action should be a priority as we plan for the future?

Click here to read more and to download or order the materials.