NIFI News

Watch the Video Preview - "America's Energy Future: How Can We Take Charge?"

Aug 18, 2015 By National Issues... 0 Comments

America's Energy Future: How Can We Take Charge? is a new "starter video" preview that is now available to watch online at the National Issues Forums (NIF) YouTube channel. This two-and-a-half-minute video gives an overview of the material presented in the NIF issue guide of the same title, and makes a great introduction to the issue for groups participating in a deliberative forum.

Seeking Individuals to Present National Issues Forums (NIF) Deliberation at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Programs

Aug 06, 2015 By National Issues... 2 Comments

A message from Bill Muse and Carol Nugent:

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"