Americans see our country as divided, but have hope for the future, according to a recent survey by the National Collaborative for Health Equity. While 8 of 10 responders said the country is “more divided than ever before,” most attribute this to national politics, not local. Moreover, results show a strong connection with community and the benefits of this connection on their hope for the future, with nearly all those tied to a community saying they are “hopeful that Americans can work through their differences and find lasting common ground in the future.”

Can Your Data Save Your Life? Privacy, Profits, and Population Health

Practitioner Lessons for the Operation of Citizens’ Assemblies

Incorporating Equity in Health & Community Development

Collectively, our health may depend on how we balance the dangers and benefits of health data, and whether citizens, governments, and corporations can negotiate mutually satisfactory agreements on privacy, profits, and data collection. This is part of a series of essays we're releasing ahead of the The Future of Citizenship Conference. Read more.

In recent years, citizen assemblies have grown in popularity as an alternative (and supplement) to representative democracy. While the movement to use these citizens’ assemblies more consistently has gained steam, there are notable concerns. Seven suggestions from practitioners offer a means for avoiding common pitfalls. Read more.

Two recent projects in the Denver area show how equity can be woven into land use and health. Gretchen Armijo, one of the National Civic League's Senior Fellows, recently partnered with the Metro Denver Nature Alliance to develop a Regional Equity Assessment and created a Health Action Plan for an affordable housing community.

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ICMA Institute’s Enduring Focus on Equity

Rye Civic League, Filling the Local News Gap

Fall Edition of National Civic Review Available

ICMA’s Leadership Institute on Race, Equity, and Inclusion Fellows class of 2023-2024 recently convened for its first meeting, and League staff member Benita Duran reached out to one of the founders of the Institute, ICMA’s Lynne Scott, to capture her views and observations on the program. Read more.

The sharp decline in local news has adversely affected local political participation. To fill the local news gap and improve resident engagement, the Rye Civic League publishes a monthly e-newsletter covering important town news and concisely reporting public meetings. Read more about their model and how it can be replicated in your community.

The Fall edition of the National Civic Review showcases new and better ways of engaging the public in local decision-making processes. It features ideas about improving the quality and equity of public meetings, making them more satisfying for participants, and linking them to real-world policy outcomes. Access this edition using the code NCL23.