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** Academy Launches Our Common Purpose Communities Project at Conference for Local Leaders
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On December 7-9, 2022, the Academy hosted a virtual conference for local leaders, Reinventing Democracy: How Hometowns are Strengthening America. ([link removed]) Over 200 local leaders from 43 states attended the conference, which featured panels on ranked-choice voting, participatory governance, clean elections laws and civic education, and keynotes from Judy Woodruff of PBS News and Eric Liu of Citizen University. Recordings of all the sessions from the event are available here. ([link removed])

At the conference, the Academy announced the launch of the Our Common Purpose Communities Project ([link removed]) , a national coalition of municipalities committed to strengthening American democracy. Lexington, Kentucky will be the first city ([link removed]) in the nation to join this effort and help lead this grassroots charge. If you want your community to join this effort, please email the Academy team at [email protected]. (mailto:[email protected])


** In the News
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** NPR: More than 8 in 10 Americans believe the U.S. faces a threat to democracy
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December 15, 2022 – The final NPR/PBS Newshour/Marist poll of 2022 revealed that eight out of ten Americans ([link removed]) believe the U.S. faces a threat to democracy. According to the poll, Democrats see that threat coming from election denialism and far-right populism, while conservatives view Democrats as the threat. Experts say that this division itself is a threat. Strategy 4 ([link removed]) of Our Common Purpose calls for expanding civic bridging capacity to promote social and civic interaction, and Strategy 6 ([link removed]) of the report calls for inspiring a culture of commitment to constitutional democracy and one another.

Read an analysis of the poll here ([link removed]) . Check out the Our Common Purpose report here ([link removed]) .


** GOOD TO KNOW
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** Making History at 250: The Field Guide for the Semiquincentennial
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As we approach the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding in 2026, the American Association for State and Local History, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities, has released a comprehensive guide ([link removed]) to help history professionals and citizens prepare to commemorate the anniversary.

“We should approach the 250th anniversary with a shared commitment to the common cause of an inclusive, democratic society,” writes John R. Dichtl, President & CEO of AASLH. Recommendation 6.2 ([link removed]) of Our Common Purpose calls for the creation of a Telling Our Nation’s Story initiative ([link removed]) , led by civil society organizations, to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Check out the complete AASLH field guide here ([link removed]) .
House Committee on Economic Disparity & Fairness in Growth Publishes New Report on Building an Economy that Works for All

The House Select Committee on Economic Disparity and Fairness in Growth, established in 2021 to “shine a light on the ways modern wealth disparities slow our economy, poison our politics, and offend our moral sensibilities”, published its final report, entitled Bridging the Divide: Building an Economy That Works for All ([link removed]) . The report presents recommendations to invest in individuals, build and support communities, and dismantle structural barriers hindering opportunity and growth. The Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship identified economic inequality ([link removed]) as a significant obstacle in the effort to create a more resilient constitutional democracy.

Read the Committee's full report here ([link removed]) .
Join the Civic Season Movement

Next summer, Juneteenth-July 4th, 2023, join hundreds of cultural institutions, community organizations, nonprofits and state and local governments for the second Civic Season. ([link removed])

Made By Us, ([link removed]) a coalition of 150+ museums, historic sites and historical societies, launched Civic Season this year to highlight the gap between our nation’s promises and practices. Between the powerful markers of Juneteenth and July 4th, Civic Season celebrates and fortifies our democracy with hundreds of events and activities that help us each explore what we stand for, learn, and take action. Participating next summer is one way to be sure your community is part of the conversation. Be sure to save the date!

Learn more at TheCivicSeason.com ([link removed]) , and register here ([link removed]) to receive information!


** Nuestro Propósito Común
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Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century, the final report produced by the Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship ([link removed]) , is now available in Spanish! The report, entitled Nuestro Propósito Común, is available as a PDF and can be ordered in hard copy ([link removed]) .

Read the Spanish-language report here ([link removed]) .
Happy Holidays!

Finally, we want to wish you a joyous holiday season, and a happy and healthy new year. Thank you to everyone in the Our Common Purpose community for working to strengthen American democracy in big ways and small, and we look forward to continuing this effort in the new year!
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