A group of students wearing backpacks is shown from behind as the group crosses a plaza.

Youth Councils Can Strengthen Local Government and Build Trust

Posted on May 29, 2023

By The Davenport Institute Youth are often overlooked during public engagement processes for multiple reasons; they are not old enough to vote, own property, or pay taxes. However, they represent the future of our communities and they are the next generation of local government leaders. In order for a local government to exercise 360 public...
A close-up of a hand holding a smartphone.

Digital Equity and Public Engagement

Posted on May 22, 2023

By The Davenport Institute The definition of digital equity has changed and broadened since its first conception in the 1990s and recently the pandemic placed a spotlight on digital equity when the world hastily transitioned to online work, school, and public engagement. Classrooms and public spaces went dark and were vacated as we collectively huddled...
A stack of books with different colors of covers and spines sits against a grey background.

Nine Books, Nine Lessons

Posted on May 16, 2023

This guest article is by ELGL member Matt Hirschinger, Colorado local government and DEI professional. Read all of Matt’s other articles at the Social Justice –> Government homepage. Some time ago, I participated in ELGL’s “Hard Conversations About Race” Cohort. At the end, we received a list of book recommendations to continue our learning either from books that...
A close-up of the stonework on the facade of Pasadena, California, City Hall.

Local Government Success Hinges on Ethical Public Engagement to Build Strong Communities

Posted on May 15, 2023

By The Davenport Institute As we look back at the last three years, we see cities and counties that had strong pre-pandemic relationships with the community being successful in their public engagement processes during the pandemic. Their focus on transparent, collaborative, and equitable engagement pre-pandemic provided a foundation for an unprecedented time in which local...
A hand reaches out to grasp a light bulb floating in space.

Beliefs, Values, Assumptions

Posted on April 27, 2023

This guest article is by ELGL member Matt Hirschinger, Colorado local government and DEI professional. Read all of Matt’s other articles at the Social Justice –> Government homepage. In January 2020 I started the Social Justice -> Local Government series as I embarked on my own learning journey, pursuing a graduate degree in the Humanities with a concentration...
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