To celebrate our 125th Anniversary, we are conducting a membership drive to find 125 new members. Individuals, nonprofits, and local governments are all invited to become members. Join our community of innovative local governments and civic leaders using civic engagement to tackle the nation's most pressing issues.
Community-based decision-making initiatives in Atlantic Beach, South Carolina; Durham North Carolina; and Austin, Texas give us insights into the role of the public tackling tough issues.
Arlington County, Virginia has a long tradition of engaging the public in local government projects and initiatives. It’s called “The Arlington Way.”
Edina, Minnesota is implementing an inclusive solar concept as part of their desire to have renewable energy be vital to the fabric of the community. The idea of a community solar garden began with the city’s Energy and Environment Commission pursuing ideas to make the city a leader in using renewable energy.
Local government managers are exploring new ideas about democratic governance and developing new strategies for pubic engagement. These experiments reflect a growing recognition that the challenges facing communities are so complex and the policy choices so value-laden and contentious, that forming a workable consensus required a more rigorous approach to public engagement.
In Hamilton County Ohio country, the opioid crisis is being addressed by a multi-sector, collaborative initiative to provide treatment, prevent addiction, reduce harm and reduce the supply of harmful drugs. These efforts were accomplished by collaborating in a different way and fostering new partnerships throughout the county to change the narrative from fear and dogma to action and hope.
Design-thinking and human-centered design methods help local government professionals improve the quality of services, devise new services and build stronger relationships with community members. The process of involving residents—from problem identification through design and prototyping—fosters a greater understanding of what is needed and wanted by community members and allows for adjustments along the way to adapt service design and delivery.
Review contributor Albert Dzur interviews the author of Awakening Democracy through Public Work.
By Albert W. Dzur Awakening Democracy is an introduction to Harry Boyte’s thinking on citizen action, social change, and civic education, with particular focus on the Public Achievement program he...
