How Do We Fix It?
26 October 2018
Podcast / Over 15 Minutes
Scope of Response: City
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.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/a-safe-haven-in-cartoon-confidantes?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
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?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker#.VYml6PlViko
Ben Schreckinger
Politico Magazine
10 June 2014
Text / Over 3000 Words
Boston had an issue with solving civic problems efficiently, and holding leadership accountable for it. But a new mobile app makes leaders accountable and, therefore, their systems more efficient.
http://www.wired.com/2014/05/fighting-online-harassment?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
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?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
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?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Tina Rosenberg
The New York Times
25 September 2013
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Poor people are less likely to make smart financial decisions. New research in the U.S., says this is not about intelligence but rather about a brain being overwhelmed with issues related to poverty.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/08/fighting-bullying-with-babies?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
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?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Tina Rosenberg
The New York Times
16 January 2015
Text / 1500-3000 Words
Crime is a result of many underlying social issues, but crime labs, like the one in New York, are studying which simple solutions will have the most impact in their city.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/19/science/good-news-spreads-faster-on-twitter-and-facebook.html?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
John Tierney
The New York Times
18 March 2013
Text / 800-1500 Words
Broadcast and printed news offers more coverage on suffering, war, and chaos. However, social media has altered the expectations of news by empowering individuals to spread positive news and emotions that reflects their own identities.
http://www.onbeing.org/program/evolving-city/4720?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
Krita Tippett
On Being
21 June 2012
Podcast / Over 15 Minutes
David Sloan Wilson takes what he knows about evolution and applies it to social groups in his hometown of Binghamton to show how people can live at their best for the good of the whole. He discusses how cities and communities can be improved in favor of social cooperation by applying the ingredients necessary for constructive social evolution, including group identity, equal distribution of benefits, monitoring, constructive correction of negative behavior, fast and fair conflict resolution, a safe environment, and local autonomy.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/21/from-young-adult-book-fans-to-wizards-of-change?utm_source=Solutions+Story+Tracker
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.
Our issue area taxonomy was adapted from the PCS Taxonomy with definitions by the Foundation Center, which is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 International License.
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