Dialogue, discussion and deliberation

Resources for initiating, conducting, and moderating
community-based, informed, and civil dialogue about public issues.

America Speaks - "designs and facilitates deliberative meetings for 500 to 5,000 participants."


The Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University - research about democracy and public opinion.


Communitarian Network - a nonpartisan coalition of individuals and organizations who seek to shore up the moral, social, and political environment. Founded by Professor Amitai Etzioni, George Washington University.


Deliberative Democracy Net - the online home of the Deliberative Democracy Consortium which brings together "practitioners and researchers to support and foster the nascent, broad-based movement to promote and institutionalize deliberative democracy at all levels of governance in the United States and around the world."


Let's Talk America - a large-scale election year dialogue ways to reinvigorate democracy sponsored by Utne Magazine, Conversation Café, World Café and National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation.


National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) - "fostering a world of conversation, participation and action."


National Issues Forums (NIF) - nonpartisan, locally sponsored public forums in which participants discuss public policy issues facing Americans locally and nationally.


Public Conversations Project - "promotes constructive conversations and relationships among people who have differing values, world views, and perspectives about divisive public issues."


The September Project - On September 11, community-based groups around the world hold public events, discussions, and performances to foster open exchanges about democracy, citizenship, and patriotism.


Study Circles Resource Center - "finding ways for all kinds of people to engage in dialogue and problem solving on critical social and political issues. SCRC helps communities by giving them the tools to organize productive dialogue, recruit diverse participants, find solutions, and work for action and change."