Frontiers of Democracy II set for July 19-21 at Tufts

Both in the U.S. and around the world we find ourselves in a dramatic period of civic awakening. We know this work and ideas under different names: public engagement, deliberative and participatory democracy, collaborative governance, educating for democracy and civic learning, public work, building social capital, and strengthening democracy. We promote it using diverse means; we think about it in diverse ways.

With a civic awakening all around us, in US, in the Arab world, in Russia and Burma, in India, Greece, Spain and Hungary, in many countries in Africa and Latin America, it is a good time to rethink what we have been doing and to formulate how it fits into and contributes to this larger effort. At this year’s Frontiers of Democracy II conference, we will consider a wide picture of work and ideas that support and promote civic vitality.

Frontiers II begins on Thursday, July 19 at 5 pm and ends at 1 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2012. This year, Frontiers will revolve around a diverse set of rehearsed 10-minute talks on aspects of civic studies and democratic renewal, each followed by small-group discussions. Confirmed speakers so far include:

• Luz Santana, The Right Question Project
• Martha McCoy, Everyday Democracy
• Archon Fung, Harvard/Participedia
• Eric Gordon, Engagement Game Lab
• Amii Omara Otunnu, UNESCO Human Rights Chair
• Peter Kiang, UMass-Boston
• Kristen Cambell, National Conference on Citizenship
• Lewis A. Friedland, University of Wisconsin

Participants will have ample opportunity to share ideas, strategies, and techniques with fellow practitioners and scholars.

Frontiers is brought to you by the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University, The Deliberative Democracy Consortium, and The Democracy Imperative. This public conference follows the Institute of Civic Studies, a small seminar that is now closed.

On July 19 from 8:30 am to 3 pm, the Democracy Imperative is sponsoring Pedagogies of the Street–in the Classroom, a pre-conference learning exchange on democratic curricula and pedagogies.

To read about last year’s Frontiers and to learn more about Frontiers II and Pedagogies, click here.

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