About National Dialogue Network

Strengthening Local Voices for a Mindful National Conversation

The National Dialogue Network (NDN) aims to orchestrate cooperative discussions at the local level, ultimately fostering a thoughtful national conversation. Its purpose is to enhance local civic structures, which, when combined, provide a more profound understanding of participants’ national awareness. Unlike traditional scientific polls, NDN acknowledges that it relies on the voluntary opinions of its participants.

Learn about our Opinionnaire® Survey analysis and Fast Forum® reports WordPress Plugin below.

Starting The Conversation: Exploring Poverty and Wealth

On November 8, 2013, a diverse group of around 20 individuals gathered in Oakland, CA, to engage in a conversation about poverty and wealth in America. They used a World Café format to facilitate deep discussions and explore various aspects of this complex issue. The key takeaways from their conversation include:

Complexity: The conversation highlighted the profound complexity of income disparity in the United States, where a majority of Americans face economic insecurity at some point in their lives. The causes of this disparity are multifaceted and deeply ingrained in societal systems.

Untapped Talent: Participants emphasized the untapped potential and talents of individuals living in poverty. They argued that people in poverty possess skills and resilience that, if properly harnessed, could contribute to industry and society at large. This perspective challenges the prevailing stigma associated with poverty.

Spiritual Wealth: The discussion moved beyond monetary concerns and delved into questions about happiness, greed, and inner well-being. It questioned the role of material possessions in our lives and explored the relationship between fear of poverty and the pursuit of wealth.

Interconnectedness: The conversation highlighted the separation and segregation between different socioeconomic classes in the United States. It stressed the importance of recognizing our interconnectedness and overcoming barriers to understanding and collaboration.

Community: Participants emphasized the significance of community in addressing issues of poverty and wealth. They discussed the importance of voluntary cooperation, sharing resources, and crossing racial and class lines to build inclusive communities.

Keep the Conversation Going

The participants acknowledged the need for a broader national conversation on class and money. They emphasized the importance of continuing the dialogue and fostering human connections beyond their immediate group.

This collective narrative aims to shed light on the complexities surrounding poverty and wealth in America and encourages ongoing discussions and actions to address these issues.

Learn more by reading the article covering the whole conversation.

This collective narrative presents ideas that were brought to or emerged in the conversation on Poverty and Wealth in America hosted by Fedor Ovchinnikov, Dana Pearlman, Antoine Moore, Kathleen Paylor, and Steve Snider at the Kaiser Center Garden Room in Oakland, CA

Coming Soon: Polis – Empowering Dialogues for a Better Future

Continuing our 2013 vision of open dialogue, we’re launching Polis, a platform for large-scale Opinionnaire® Surveys on topics like Economic Inequality, Future Generations’ Aspirations, and the Purpose of Wealth.

What Makes Polis Unique:

• Inclusive Conversations: Polis provides a safe space for diverse voices to discuss important issues.
• Polarization-Consensus Rating: Our innovative feature visually represents agreement and divergence among demographics.
• Data-Driven Insights: We generate valuable data for decision-makers, researchers, and the public.
• Finding Common Ground: Polis encourages productive discussions and unity amid differing viewpoints.

Additional Features We Offer

NDN provides an opportunity for third-party organizations and agencies to discreetly incorporate supplementary printed materials and an extended Opinionnaire® Survey tailored to their unique audience. If you’re interested in exploring this feature further, please don’t hesitate to contact NDN volunteers at our email: info@NationalDialogueNetwork.org.

The National Dialogue Network (NDN) orchestrates distinct individual and community discussions, granting everyone a distinctive “sense of belonging” and a voice within the broader national discourse.

NDN’s dedicated volunteers are committed to revitalizing and promoting civic structures within communities. By participating, individuals can influence the national conversation by:

• Engaging Intensely: Focusing deeply on specific issues over time in collaboration with others.
• Attentive Listening: Actively listening to the opinions and ideas circulating within their community and across the United States.
• Speaking Out: Sharing their own viewpoints and ideas in conversations with family, friends, and their community.

The NDN network is a nonpartisan, voluntary working group of practitioners, educators, and researchers in the fields of public engagement, governance, creative leadership, civic renewal, dialogue, deliberation, and participatory decision-making in public issues. We’re building a voluntary civic infrastructure that connects conversations across the U.S. among folks who wish to examine a difficult and complex community issue with others who see the situation or challenges from differing perspectives, disciplines, or ideologies. The NDN Network was originally funded by a 2012 NCDD Catalyst Award.