Making Every Voice Matter conference to showcase efforts taking on racism

National focus on racism renews commitment of communities around the country and in Colorado to enga

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June 3, 2008 | | Denver, Colorado

Media contacts:
Amy Malick, Everyday Democracy
amalick@everyday-democracy.org
P: 860-928-2616, ext.5908
C: 860-805-1784

Carrie Boron, Everyday Democracy
cboron@everyday-democracy.org
P: 860-928-2616, ext.5905
C: 860-235-9160

As racism takes center stage in our national discourse, organizations and grassroots initiatives around the country working to address racism are gathering in Denver on June 12-14 to learn about and apply the latest lessons and tools to involve people in dialogue for community change.

The “Making Every Voice Matter” national conference hosted by Everyday Democracy (formerly the Study Circles Resource Center) at the Renaissance Denver will be a venue for sharing what people across the country and in Colorado have learned about helping to create racial equity. From addressing poverty to student achievement to immigration, racism is often the root cause of the problem communities need to take on in order to make progress.

The session “Why Addressing Racism is Key to making Progress on Other Issues”— featuring Keith Lawrence of the Aspen Institute Roundtable on Community Change—will share effective practices on using the lens of “structural racism” to account for the racial dimensions of the issues community problem solvers are working on. Other highlighted sessions include “Dismantling Racism: An Essential Element in Creating Community Change;” “Laying a Strong Foundation for Working in Multicultural Settings;” and “Making Progress on Democracy and Race: A Two-Way Street.”

The conference will also feature a host of other sessions to help communities strengthen their dialogue-to-change work. Topics will include moving dialogue to action; resourcing and evaluating efforts; utilizing Web 2.0; enhancing dialogue-to-change efforts by using various civic processes; and more.

Gloria Rubio-Cortes, the executive director of Denver-based National Civic League, will moderate the conference’s opening plenary “Making Democracy Real, Day-to-Day.” The panel discussion will explore the idea that every voice is needed to create change on issues such as racism, poverty and education.

Prior to the conference on Thursday, June 12, a symposium will honor the late John Parr and his life’s work to spark and nurture civic life in Denver and Colorado, and in communities across the country. The symposium “What Have We Learned About Democratic Governance in Colorado?” will explore how local Colorado governments and other community groups have developed new opportunities for everyday people to take part in deliberation, decision-making, and problem-solving.

Everyday Democracy (formerly the Study Circles Resource Center) is a national organization that helps local communities find ways for all kinds of people to think, talk and work together to solve problems. We work with neighborhoods, cities and towns, regions, and states, helping them pay particular attention to how racism and ethnic differences affect the problems they address. Learn more at www.everyday-democracy.org

Location and times of sessions:
Renaissance Denver, 3801 Quebec Street