an agenda for strengthening democracy in the US?

[Michael Wood]

Raffi

Not long after the appointment of our current Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, he called a national summit with broad based community participation to name issues of importance for the country for the next 20 years. Here's the link:
http://www.australia2020.gov.au/

Despite the inevitable murmurings of cynicism there was, as far as I can see, a lot of positive energy created. 

We did our best to draw the attention of the organisers to Open Space, which I believe would have made the summit even better, but to no avail.

Sounds like you might have some good opportunities emerging there.

Michael Wood


-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Raffi Aftandelian
Sent: Friday, 5 December 2008 8:07 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: [OSLIST] an agenda for strengthening democracy in the US?

dear open space friends in the US and abroad,

when then-candidate obama's campaign began gathering momentum, one of the first thoughts that came to me was this was a man who could be the first Open Space President or Conversing President or Hosting President. Indeed, I was a little surprised that no one here stepped forward to actually *say* that or write a piece about obama as the first such president : )

And many of us are watching things unfold as he is transitioning into becoming president.

The folks over at AmericaSpeaks (who use the 21st Century Townhall meeting large group intervention) are taking matters into their own hands and have assembled an "Agenda for Strengthening Our Nation's Democracy." Included in this agenda is the creation of a White House Office for Civic Engagement. 

Now, I don't know if creating such an office is really the answer. However I think by making such a proposal, it is asking essentially a very powerful question.

Info below.

Perhaps you know of similar such initiatives?

appreciatively,
raffi

A vibrant new agenda to strengthen America's democracy is being advanced to the incoming Administration. It is our pleasure to invite you to join this effort. Please endorse the Agenda for Strengthening Our Nation’s Democracy 

(http://www.americaspeaks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&pageID=830&nodeID=1).

Agenda Cover
Read and Endorse the Agenda
http://www.americaspeaks.org/StrengtheningDemocracyAgenda

The Agenda is comprised of an exciting set of recommendations, including a White House Office of Civic Engagement, a call for regular national discussions, and a unique set of policy reforms to increase participation in public life.

We believe the Agenda will build on the incredible participation we have seen during this election season by providing a real voice for every American in our governance process. Together these recommendations will transform the relationship between citizens and their government.

Please join this important effort and endorse the Agenda today.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Lukensmeyer
President, AmericaSpeaks

Martha McCoy
President, Everyday Democracy

Miles Rapoport
President, DÄ“mos: A Network for Ideas

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