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The Interactivity Foundation works to enhance the process and expand the scope and health of our public discussions by bringing people together in small group discussions of broad topics of public policy concern. Our Fellows conduct Project Discussions that engage separate panels of selected generalists and specialists on a public policy topic for a year or more of private (or "sanctuary") discussions to develop and explore multiple policy possibilities, which are then worked into a Discussion Report. We also conduct and sponsor shorter series (3-4 sessions) of small group Public Discussions, which are open to all interested participants and use the possibilities from our Discussion Reports as the starting point for further exploration and development. Finally, we collaborate with certain college faculty to develop and support facilitated, student-centered Classroom Discussions.

"For many years, the Workshop has facilitated the establishment of self-organized working groups. Topics covered vary from year to year. Most groups are mechanisms enabling people who share common interests to discuss their current research and benefit from each other's commentary and criticism. Some groups are focused around a particular research question and have resulted in a published paper, a research design, a research proposal or some other joint product. "

Group model building (GMB) is a participatory approach that is widely used to build the capacity of practitioners to think in a systems way. However, it is a resource-intensive approach that requires high-level buy-in and the investment of time. We discuss the evidence, including a systematic review of the literature examining the effectiveness of GMB approaches across a wide range of contexts. The results of the review are generally positive and suggest that GMB improves problem understanding, increases engagement in systems thinking, builds confidence in the use of systems ideas and develops consensus for action among diverse stakeholders.

The Interactivity Foundation ("IF") engages citizens in small group discussions to develop and explore multiple and contrasting possibilities for long-term public policy and democratic governance. IF is non-partisan and does not engage in advocacy on behalf of any of the public policy possibilities developed by its projects or discussion processes. IF is an operating foundation and does not make grants.

Welcome to NatCAN, the National Community Activists' Network. Join us to get advice and support with anything you're trying to do to make the world, or just your part of it, a better place. Meet other people trying to get things done in your area by joining your Regional Discussion Group.

National Issues Forums (NIF) is a network of civic, educational, and other organizations, and individuals, whose common interest is to promote public deliberation in America. It includes civic clubs, religious organizations, libraries, schools, and many other groups that meet to discuss critical public issues. Forum participants range from teenagers to retirees, prison inmates to community leaders, and literacy students to university students.

The Philips Center for Health and Well-being is a knowledge-sharing forum that provides a focal point to raise the level of discussion on what matters most to citizens and communities. The Center will bring together experts for dialogue and debate aimed at overcoming barriers and identifying possible solutions for meaningful change that can improve people's overall health and well-being.

What's Next California is an unprecedented attempt to bring the people into the process in a new way-one that is representative and thoughtful. A scientific random sample of the entire state will be transported to a single place for a weekend of face-to-face discussions, in small groups and in dialogue with competing experts.

What's Next California is an unprecedented attempt to bring the people into the process in a new way-one that is representative and thoughtful. A scientific random sample of the entire state will be transported to a single place for a weekend of face-to-face discussions, in small groups and in dialogue with competing experts. In California's first statewide "Deliberative Poll," the people will be supported by factual information and will consider the critical arguments on both sides of issues, then will articulate their priorities for fixing the state.