Deliberate Democracy Consortium Latest Links

Those that read this blog regularly know that I occasionally (re) post edited versions of what I get from Deliberative Democracy Consortium. While these posting are certainly not for everyone – and can be a bit academic – some folks have shared with me that they appreciate getting them… So, here’s DDC’s most recent (edited) list of worthy news in the field:

[1] You can find DDC on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/deliberative.democracy

[2] President Obama made a major speech last week describing the US commitments to public participation and transparency as part of the Open Government Partnership - the speech can be viewed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2011/09/20/president-obama-open-government-partnership-event

[3] New Oxford Handbook on Civil Society has contributions from Peter Levine, John Gaventa, Harry Boyte, Mark Warren, Theda Skocpol, Nina Eliasoph, and many others - http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Politics/?view=usa&ci=9780195398571#Description

[4] Participatory Budgeting Launches in NYC: Councilmembers and Community Allies (in NYC) Announce Groundbreaking, Democratic Budgeting Initiative – join their Google group at http://groups.google.com/group/participatory-budgeting-us/browse_thread/thread/df2ac96770f8a4ea

[5] The Alberta Climate Dialogue (ABCD) has been working with the City of Edmonton on an innovative public involvement project on sustainability - http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=gkuc9afab&v=001b3MRj4D6bdp9v51J1dVL3YR1JoFsBvLntE9GM8niS4k8DPWqXYNhkk1-M0UzqRHa5La1dP5kxm1UrMMP-dxrQkMBrtuWPAfQhPHaL2qDLrYTzafwM-jZOQ%3D%3D

[6] 'Citizenship and Governance in a Wild Wired World' summarizes the current state of participatory practice at the local level, makes the argument that we need to be thinking about engagement infrastructure, not just temporary tools - http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ncr.20056/abstract

[7] Jim Snider makes some excellent suggestions for how communities can support 'blended meetings' that include online and face-to-face elements - http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2011/07_public_community_media_snider.aspx

[8] Meaningful participation vs. all-night public hearing: Toronto MP Carolyn Bennett eloquently describes the differences http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/hon-carolyn-bennett/rob-ford_b_919138.html

[9] Bill Barnes at the National League of Cities explores how cities are dealing with challenges of immigrant integration - http://www.nlc.org/news-center/nations-cities-weekly/articles/2011/september/emerging-issues-hyphens-and-documents-hopes-and-fears

[10] New report shows that civic engagement is a stronger factor in reducing unemployment than many traditional economic variables - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-levine/could-civic-engagement-be_b_966176.html?ref=tw

[11] Comments, reflections and results from "Frontiers of Democracy" conference now up at http://activecitizen.tufts.edu/?pid=715. Includes poll on top insights, link to conference video, and other resources

[12] In the latest LogoLink newsletter, discussion about the line between false participation and sharing power meaningfully with citizens. http://www.logolink.org/newsletter/index.php?id=6

[13] Common Ground News Service looking to expand their roster of authors who can write on race relations in the US - see www.cgnews.org - small honorarium available for each piece.

[14] The most complete look yet at whether/how the Obama Administration is boosting participation through Open Government: http://www.businessofgovernment.org/report/assessing-public-participation-open-government-era

[15] Philadelphia city councilwoman on why public engagement isn't just a 'feel-good' exercise: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/our-money/Why-public-engagement-is-more-than-a-feel-good-gesture.html

[16] Rude Democracy: Civility and Incivility in American Politics - by Susan Herbst, new pres of UConn www.pbk.org/home/FocusNews.aspx?id=685

[17] Portsmouth Listens will receive the 2011 Sarah Farmer Peace Award. http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20110817-NEWS-108170362

…hope you enjoy these!... And, don’t forget: If you have not done so already, please follow this blog (by clicking on the icon on the upper left, above the pictures) so you will get postings automatically…