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Jennifer Pahlka helps improve how government works

John Wildermuth

March 11, 2016 |

SFGate |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

Jennifer Pahlka founded Code for America, an organization that provides human-centered design tech solutions to government services. Now they have a growing list of requests from cities all over the US, a network of 44,000 volunteers nationwide who create "civic-hacking" solutions, and an over $10 million yearly budget.

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Bengaluru is being swept by citizen-led plastic bans

Shree D N

February 16, 2016 |

Citizen Matters |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, Bengaluru, Karnataka

While laws and regulations banning the use of plastic bags and wrappers lag in the government, neighborhoods within the city of Bengaluru (Bangalore) have taken it upon themselves to remove wasteful plastic from their communities and their environment. From organizing marches and demonstrations, to creating clever alternatives - such as renting reusable bags from stores and wrapping goods in newspaper - numerous zones within the city are going plastic waste-free on their own initiative, and inspiring their neighbors to do the same.

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Can a Game Help Build Affordable Housing?

Alec Appelbaum

February 09, 2016 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Pleasantville, New York

To break through gridlock on fair housing, city planners, citizens, and government officials in wealthy Westchester County, New York, try a new tactic: Using a simulation game to try out different development scenarios. The result has been increased civic participation and efficiency.

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Reaching for rehabilitation, not retribution

Suzette Hackney

December 27, 2015 |

IndyStar (The Indianapolis Star) |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Indianapolis, Indiana

A nonprofit in Indianapolis diverts kids from the juvenile justice system by using a teen court where first-time offenders admit their guilt to a jury made up of fellow students rather than going through suspension or expulsion. Jurors usually give verdicts that include community service, apologies, restitution, counseling and tutoring, and possibly serving on a jury. About 1,000 students participate each year and the county prosecutor named the nonprofit Crime Fighter of the Year for its work.

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How a regulation turned Bologna's civic pride into action

Simone D'Antonio

December 23, 2015 |

Citiscope |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Italy, Bologna

Bologna is demonstrating the utility of allowing citizens to help with projects in cash-strapped cities. A new policy makes it easier for citizens to head city projects and to participate in guiding the future of the municipality.

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Historic probe of Chicago police expected to be long and costly

Katherine Skiba

December 12, 2015 |

Chicago Tribune |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

In Chicago, a white police officer shot Laquan McDonald, a young black man, 16 times, for refusing to stop. The city created a task force in the midst of an already existing investigation by the Department of Justice into the Chicago Police Department’s use of force. "The No. 1 good thing about these federal interventions is they force local municipalities to face the issue of police misconduct head-on.”

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As 50 States Prepare to Reimagine Education Policy, Four Are Able to Offer Guidance

Sam Chaltain

December 09, 2015 |

Education Week |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Hampshire

The Innovation Lab Network (ILN) is a made up of a network of states that work collaboratively to transform their respective school systems. The ILN seeks to make meaningful systems-level changes in state education systems and they have shared their insights in four short films and manage a website with resources. The solutions emphasize local engagement and authority, extreme patience, and a framework that places the strengths and passions of young people at the center.

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Climate change crusade goes local

Doug Struck

August 09, 2015 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Miami Beach, Florida

Around the globe, countries have taken actions that have helped reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of renewable energy. Although the state of Florida feels the effects of climate change, its state representatives have not produced policy addressing it. Local policy makers and organizers have made the biggest difference in the state.

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Northern Ireland: Old conflict, new tools

Molly McCluskey

August 06, 2015 |

Al Jazeera |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Northern Ireland, Belfast

Every so often tensions between the Catholic "nationalists" and the Protestant "loyalists" increase and the police try to diffuse the situations. Social media is affecting these flare ups by providing police with information and citizens with an opportunity to hear the other side's perspective.

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“We Have to Construct a Taboo Around Killing”: Antanas Mockus On Colombia's Peace Process

Camila Osorio

May 10, 2015 |

Latin America News Dispatch |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: Colombia, Bogotá

Antanas Mockus, former mayor of Bogotá, uses art to cultivate what he calls a "citizenship culture." During Colombia's peace negotiations, Mockus emphasized the importance of valuing life after so many years of killing and death with the slogan "Life is Sacred."

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