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Can a Group of Scrappy Young Activists Build Real Progressive Power in Trump Country?

Jimmy Tobias

October 18, 2018 |

The Nation (New York) |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Leaders from Lancaster Stands Up, an independent political organization, are bridging the gap between Democrats and Republicans in small, rural, conservative towns. They are building a progressive base by going back to the basics: door knocking and having conversations with voters. Their membership has grown to 800 people, and they’ve closed the gap between a progressive candidate and the Republican incumbent.

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Iowa Civility Workshop

Richard Davies Jim Meigs

October 18, 2018 |

How Do We Fix It? |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Des Moines, Iowa

At a time when American politics are more divisive and uncivil than ever before, Revive Civility Iowa and the National Institute of Civil Discourse hosted a two hour workshop to encourage civil conversation among politically opposed members of the same community. Using skill-building exercises like active listening, the workshop sought to engender tolerance in participants to reach resolutions. As one of the organizers pointed out, "The biggest mistake most of us make when we try to solve problems with others is we suggest they change their minds."

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Thousands of South Africans join GovChat

Vernon Pillay

October 04, 2018 |

IOL Business Report |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: South Africa

GovChat is the world's first platform that connects citizens with politicians via WhatsApp. It allows citizens to rate public services and report issues, submit service requests, and donate to community organizations. Thousands of people registered and began using the platform within the first 72 hours.

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"Integrity Idol"

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

October 02, 2018 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nepal

With support from Accountability Lab and Transparency International, seven countries have held “Integrity Idol” contests to recognize their most honest and helpful public servants. Winners have become people others want to emulate. The contests help fight corruption and inspire civic participation.

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A Grassroots Call to Ban Gerrymandering

Erick Trickey

September 23, 2018 |

The Atlantic |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Lansing, Michigan

In Michigan, a group of people decided they were done with gerrymandering: a political process in which district maps are redrawn to favor one party over another. They formed a group called “Voters Not Politicians,” and did what no one thought they would be able to do. “The crowdsourced campaign held 33 town-hall meetings in 33 days, wrote a ballot proposal to give redistricting powers to a citizens’ commission” and “collected 425,000 petition signatures in four months to secure a spot on Michigan’s ballot—a rare feat, usually accomplished only by hiring paid signature gatherers.”

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Governments are using games to engage citizens — but beware before you play

Jennifer Guay

September 19, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: China, Suining

Games can make policymaking more participatory and push citizens to change their behavior in public, and private, spaces. To keep engagement high, governments should change the games periodically and include both online and offline elements, says Gianluca Sgueo, author of Games, Power and Democracies.

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How environmental justice is shaping a new civil rights movement in the South

Katherine Webb-Hehn

September 12, 2018 |

Southerly |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Armed with data, local activists are taking on environmental justice campaigns. In the absence of action on the part of the Federal Government, local organizations in Mississippi and across the South are working to increase transparency, generate data on public health issues, and mobilize action on climate change.

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Meet the network tearing down walls between departments in Taiwan

Jennifer Guay

September 05, 2018 |

Apolitical |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Taiwan

Taiwan is getting creative with tackling tough policy issues. Representatives from all 32 government ministries meet every month, vote on topics to focus on, and conduct workshops with citizens. So far, the network has produced a user-friendly online tax system and is working on a new health card service policy.

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Automated Fact-checking

Tim Harford

August 27, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom

Technology has made it easier to fact-check speeches and interviews in real time. The organization Fullfact has made software that processes dialogue looking for claims and highlights whether those claims match verified data. The tools help fact-checkers contribute to public debate around the world.

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Can Ultimate Frisbee Save the World?

Jennifer Finney Boylan

August 22, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Israel, Ashkelon

Ultimate frisbee camps have helped Israeli and Palestinian youth learn conflict resolution skills. Because the game has no referees, players discuss disputes on the field themselves.

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