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** Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship Returns to Phoenix, AZ
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**
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On February 3, the Our Common Purpose team, co-chairs Eric Liu and Stephen Heintz, and Commission member Steven Olikara, spent the day in Phoenix for a series of events with Arizona civic leaders. The day of programming showcased the inspiring work Arizona community leaders and organizations, including Instituto ([link removed]) and the Arizona Civics Coalition ([link removed]) , are undertaking to build a more resilient civic culture and renew a commitment to constitutional democracy. In 2019, the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship ([link removed]) conducted five listening sessions in Phoenix that helped shape the Our Common Purpose report ([link removed]) . The Our Common Purpose team is grateful to the Arizona Civic Life Partnership, the Center for the Future of Arizona, the Flinn Foundation, and the Vitalyst Health Foundation for co-hosting the day’s
events.

Learn more about the Commission’s return to Phoenix here ([link removed]) .


** In the News
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** Danielle Allen: America is in a 'Great Pulling Apart.' Can we pull together?
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January 31, 2023 – In an op-ed ([link removed]) published by The Washington Post, Danielle Allen, cochair of the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship, writes about how her family’s history of civic engagement inspires her belief in America’s constitutional democracy. Danielle writes: “I still believe that constitutional democracy offers the world’s best hope for human flourishing, and that’s why I do this work. I invite you to join me in it.” The piece is the first in a series that will draw from the recommendations in the Our Common Purpose report.


** NYT: Meet the people working on getting us to hate one another less
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February 8, 2023 – In his latest ([link removed]) New York Times column, Thomas Edsall emphasizes the importance of promoting democratic attitudes and making government more effective to reduce affective polarization and strengthen American democracy. Related solutions in Our Common Purpose include Recommendation 6.4 ([link removed]) , which calls for promoting “Our Common Purpose” through increased funding for campaigns and narratives that encourage commitment to our constitutional democracy and one another, and Recommendation 3.2 ([link removed]) , which would implement innovative mechanisms to make congress more responsive.


** WaPo: These radically simple changes helped lawmakers actually get things done
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February 9, 2023 – In an opinion essay ([link removed]) for The Washington Post, Amanda Ripley examines how the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress has become one of the most high-functioning bipartisan workplaces on Capitol Hill. Last summer, Danielle Allen, co-chair of the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship, and Lee Drutman, New America, testified ([link removed]) before the Modernization Committee about two recommendations in Our Common Purpose, investing in civic infrastructure and enlarging the House of Representatives.


** Upcoming Events
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** Virtual Webinar: Mapping Civic Measurement
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On February 16, the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, an OCP champion ([link removed]) , will host “Mapping Civic Measurement: How are we assessing readiness and ([link removed]) opportunities ([link removed]) for an engaged ([link removed]) citizenry ([link removed]) ?”. This virtual webinar will present findings from a groundbreaking report that introduces a new framework for mapping civic readiness and opportunities.

DATE: February 16, 2023 | 3:00 PM EST | Register here ([link removed])


** Virtual Panel: The Power of the Commons
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On March 1, Next City and Reimagining the Civic Commons will co-host “The Power of the Commons: Impact and opportunity in America’s public spaces ([link removed]) ”. This virtual webinar will share game-changing strategies for investing in public spaces in ways that create positive social change. Recommendation 4.1 ([link removed]) of Our Common Purpose would create a National Trust to scale social and civic infrastructure.

DATE: March 1, 2023 | 1:00 PM EST | Register here ([link removed])


** Register Now: 2023 Civic Learning Week in DC
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From March 6-10, iCivics ([link removed]) will host the first-ever national Civic Learning Week ([link removed]) in Washington D.C. to unite students, educators, policymakers, and private sector leaders to energize the movement for civic education across the nation. The week of programming kicks off on March 7 with an Opening Forum at the National Archives. Recommendation 6.5 ([link removed]) of Our Common Purpose calls for increased investments in civic educators and civic education.

DATE: March 6-10, 2023 | Register here ([link removed])


** GOOD TO KNOW
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Enroll Now: Civic Engagement Course by Danielle Allen

HarvardX is offering a new online course taught by Danielle Allen entitled “We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy ([link removed]) ”. This seven-week, self-paced course will provide a foundational knowledge of American constitutional democracy and equip learners with the tools to begin crafting their own civic voice and identity. Learn about the course here ([link removed]) . Enroll before February 9 to join the next course session.
Job Opportunity: Bridging & Democracy Fellow at AmeriCorps

STEM Next Opportunity Fund is accepting applications for a Bridging & Democracy Fellow ([link removed]) at AmeriCorps. The Special Assistant for Bridging & Democracy will execute upon AmeriCorps’ bridge building and civic engagement strategy. Learn more about the position and apply here ([link removed]) .
Extended: 'Bridging Divides' Grant Opportunity Deadline

The deadline to submit a grant proposal for the Strengthening Democracy Challenge (SDC) ([link removed]) , a joint project between academics and practitioners to crowdsource interventions to reduce anti-democratic attitudes, has been extended to March 1, 2023. Grants of up to $50,000 will be allocated on a competitive basis to new or existing teams of practitioners and researchers. To learn more, please see the call for proposals here ([link removed]) .
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