It’s never been more important to talk to each other about tough problems.

Although currently we cannot meet around a boardroom table, we can still come together through videoconferencing with a Zoom meeting to practice deliberation, speaking face-to-face from our own homes and offices.

Practice listening with empathy and respect, considering other perspectives, and weighing the trade-offs of possible actions in a National Issues Forum hosted by the library.

Plan to Attend

Once you choose which conversation to attend, register at the event listings linked below so that you can receive the link to the online Zoom meeting. Consider inviting someone to join you in deliberative conversation, especially someone with a different perspective, life experience or background than you.

Spring 2021 Deliberative Conversations printable flyer

2021 Deliberative Conversations

Back to Work: How Should We Rebuild Our Economy? Summary of February 10, 2021 Deliberation

Deliberative Conversation: Over the Edge – Learn and Practice Deliberation Together
Thursday, March 04: 10:00am – 12:00pm
It’s important to talk about tough problems. Practice deliberation through considering perspectives, listening with empathy & respect, & weighing trade-offs of possible actions. Register for Zoom Link

Deliberative Conversation: Mental Illness in America – Learn and Practice Deliberation Together
Monday, April 05: 11:00am – 1:00pm
It’s important to discuss tough problems. Practice deliberation through considering perspectives, listening with empathy & respect, & weighing trade-offs of possible actions. Register for Zoom link.

Please check back for updates and for online face-to-face video forums to be announced.

 

Notes from Deliberative Conversations

Notes from the January 27, 2021 Learn and Practice Deliberation: Mental Illness

Notes from the October 7, 2020 Deliberative Conversation: Policing
Notes from the October 21, 2020 Deliberative Conversation: Policing

Safety and Justice

How should communities reduce violence?

Notes from October 2019 Deliberative Conversation on Safety and Justice

Mental Illness in America

How do we address a growing mental health problem?

A House Divided

What would we have to give up to get the political system we want?

Obesity in America

How should we reduce obesity in America?

Notes from November 2019 Deliberative Conversation on Obesity in America

Alcohol and Drug Use

What should we do when alcohol and drug use become a problem to society?

Attend

How does a deliberative conversation work?

Between 12-20 people with a variety of perspectives will follow a National Issues Forum guide to discuss an issue. Each conversation will address an issue that doesn’t have one perfect answer. Please email connect@tscpl.org or call 785-580-4629 for more information.

What happens after a deliberative forum?

Everyone is asked to continue learning and understanding the issue, to ask better questions, and to look both more broadly and more deeply at possible actions to address the big issues communities face while considering the tradeoffs to those actions.

Partners