Listening may not change minds like we thought it did. Still, there are many other effective ways to build understanding and collaboration among those who disagree with you.

Those of us paying attention to various social movements for love, dignity, and justice should recognize the natural wisdom of a periodic convergence of broods. 

Stepping into the work of changing systems is not just an additional set of activities and strategies; it is also a dramatic and intentional shift in how you show up in your own leadership.   

The Dignity Index scored the two US Vice Presidential Candidates at their debate, finding that both candidates scored well, treating the other with respect.

Our colleague Ashok Panikkar explains how he came to believe that progressive beliefs are not always correct -- and what happened when he said so.

Starts with Us argues that we must see that when we call elections “illegitimate” without very strong reasons, we hurt America.

There is ample evidence that democracies around the world are being threatened by authoritarian populist forces, and that the best antidote to stemming this tide is broad-based, “big tent” organizing to stand up for democratic norms and freedoms. 

A series of lectures exploring the ways in which different communities (including Christian faith communities) practice democracy,

Essential Partners' reflection on the New Pluralists retreat, together with the inspiring video shown at the retreat.

From the journal Democracy, a symposium and set of papers on top down and bottom up ways to invigorate bipartisan democracy.

An article about one effort to craft a vision for adapting democracy to the challenges of the 21st-century.

The Pact for the Future, adopted at the United Nations Summit of the Future on 22-23 September in New York, is a pivotal framework designed to address global challenges with a long-term vision extending beyond 2030. Surprisingly, this vision does not include democracy.

David Beckemeyer talks to Jonathan Bernstein author of Election Day, a book that uses satire to inspire voter turnout and encourage civic engagement.

Previous models of conferences and events are getting blown up and replaced with an array of experiences, interventions, connectivity practices and celebrations to foster deeper engagement and more substantial change work.

From the Stanford Social Innovation Review, an argument that pro-democracy actors and movements must move out of their silos and create strong cross-contextual connections.

From the Stanford Social Innovation Review, an argument that pro-democracy actors and movements must move out of their silos and create strong cross-contextual connections.

An amazingly rich compilation of resources every month, but the September 2024 issue was particularly full of excellent resources on threats to democracy and responses to those threats.

An astonishing report with detailed data showing that civil society peacebuilding is thriving in Israel, even during the war.

To tackle complex challenges, we know we need to go from disjointed isolated responses, to coordinated multi-point strategies – or from confetti to spaghetti as Ingrid Burkett would say.

New survey results indicate that concerns over harassment, threats, and physical attacks have significantly increased in the wake of high-profile incidents like the shooting of former President Trump.

Climate change can and should be a cause that people across the political spectrum are invested in. The key to making that happen may well be in how we frame conversations about the issue.

"Our nation’s divisions are not caused by our disagreements," said Shriver, co-creator of the Dignity Index. “They’re caused by treating others with contempt when we disagree."

To be alive in this moment is to be innovating by necessity. We need to organize many diverse innovations across institutions and geographies to address our most pressing challenges.

Ashok Panikkar says "insults work better if you know what they really mean. So he explains -- the meaning of democracy, socialism, conservative, liberal, progressive, etc. Not really "insults," but…

This guide is designed to help people identify sources of resilience and sustainable action. Their goal is to nurture hope, build connections, promote care and focus, and be prepared for different election outcomes.