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How Do We Fix It?
26 October 2018
Podcast / Over 15 Minutes
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
In Minneapolis, two groups are tackling difficult conversations among polarized community members, through establishing intentional safe spaces rooted in ground rules and mutual trust. Living Room Conversations facilitates discussions on divisive topics like race relations in small groups, using guided questions and silent reflection. Better Angels convenes similar conversations in community workshops with a 50/50 Republican-Democrat makeup. According to a founder, after most workshops, "Most people have not changed their political beliefs, but they've changed their beliefs about the other side.
Extreme polarization does not just make for unpleasant Thanksgiving dinners with relatives who...
Solutions Journalism Network
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/a-safe-haven-in-cartoon-confidantes
David Bornstein
The New York Times
22 November 2010
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Children coming from abusive households are often reluctant to discuss their past experiences. A Mexican foundation is using animated characters to help abused and ill children speak about their lives.
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/boston-theres-an-app-for-that-107661.html#.VYml6PlViko
Ben Schreckinger
Politico
10 June 2014
Text / Over 3000 Words
Boston had a hard time solving civic problems efficiently and holding its leadership accountable. In response, a team in the Mayor's office was charged with "making Boston better through clever, low-cost hacks" such as a mobile app that allows residents to send government service requests to City Hall.
http://www.wired.com/2014/05/fighting-online-harassment
Laura Hudson
Wired
15 May 2014
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Harassment on the internet is more accepted but just as harmful as it is in person. RiotGames, a game publisher, decreased abuse by enabling its gaming members to decide and enforce community norms.
http://nationswell.com/meet-folks-upgrading-civic-engagement
Rob Gurwitt
NationSwell
11 December 2013
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Very few people go to city council meetings. MindMixer, a tech startup company, increased civic participation in states across the U.S. with online platforms for city officials and the community to discuss ideas.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/25/escaping-the-cycle-of-scarcity
Tina Rosenberg
The New York Times
25 September 2013
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Poor people are less likely to make smart financial decisions; however, new research in the U.S. says this is not about intelligence but rather about a brain being overwhelmed with issues related to poverty. To combat that barrier of stress, organizations around the world are making financial decisions easier for people experiencing poverty by making borrowing easier and automating future financial planning, like 401(k) contributions.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/fighting-bullying-with-babies
David Bornstein
The New York Times
8 November 2010
Text / 1500-3000 Words
The Canadian federal government has identified bullying as a national problem. Roots of Empathy, based in Toronto, encourages empathy in elementary kids by having them interact with babies.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/making-sure-crime-prevention-pays
Tina Rosenberg
The New York Times
16 January 2015
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Crime is a result of many underlying social issues, but Crime Lab, a research organization with branches in New York and Chicago, is studying which simple solutions will have the most impact in their city. Cost-effective efforts such as tutoring combined with cognitive behavioral therapy have proven to be successful.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/04/hard-times-for-recess
David Bornstein
The New York Times
4 April 2011
Text / Over 3000 Words
Despite strong evidence that school-based physical activity improves children’s cognitive skills, concentration, and behavior, schools under pressure to produce quantitative results and decrease bullying have drastically cut back on recess in recent years. An Oakland-based nonprofit organization called Playworks is working to make healthy play accessible for more children and show schools how productive recess can be to the whole academic world.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/21/from-young-adult-book-fans-to-wizards-of-change
Courtney E. Martin
The New York Times
21 March 2012
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Global social and economic problems are difficult to change. However, fan-activism fuels the interests of fans of popular young adult fiction. Books such as Harry Potter and the Hunger Games have inspired activist groups that raise awareness of global hunger, reading, and relief supplies to impoverished nations, among others. Being a fan has served as a bridge to become politically active and solve the world’s problems.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/15/for-weight-loss-a-recipe-of-teamwork-and-trust
Tina Rosenberg
The New York Times
15 November 2011
Text / 800-1500 Words
While weight loss can be challenging to maintain, different structures are being created to help. Certain support groups, financial incentives, and tough love are proving to be effective.
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Photos are licensed under Attribution Non Commercial 2.0 Generic Creative Commons license / Desaturated from original, and are credited to the following photographers:
Fondriest Environmental, David De Wit / Community Eye Health, Linda Steil / Herald Post, John Amis / UGA College of Ag & Environmental Sciences – OCCS, Andy B, Peter Garnhum, Thomas Hawk, 7ty9, Isriya Paireepairit, David Berger, UnLtd The Foundation For Social Entrepreneurs, Michael Dunne, Burak Kebapci, and Forrest Berkshire / U.S. Army Cadet Command public affairs
Photos are licensed under Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike 2.0 Generic Creative Commons license, and are credited to the following photographers:
Ra'ed Qutena, 段 文慶, Fabio Campo, City Clock Magazine, Justin Norman, scarlatti2004, Gary Simmons, Kathryn McCallum, and Nearsoft Inc
Photos are licensed under CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication Creative Commons license / Desaturated from original, and are credited to the following photographers:
Burak Kebapci and SCY.
Photos are licensed under Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) and are credited to the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Conference attendee listening to speaker, Jenifer Daniels / Colorstock getcolorstock.com.
Photo Credit: Kevork Djansezian via Getty Images
Photo Credit: Sonia Narang