Public Engagement

On Friday, Harry Boyte and his colleagues at the University of Minnesota's Center for Democracy and Citizenship received the very good news reported in the press release below. This grant from the Kellogg Foundation is an affirmation of so many key things: the Minnesota tradition as a leader in civic values and innovation, the hard work and deep but practical thinking of the CDC and its collaborators from a wide range of public life, the willingness of a prominent foundation to invest in a well-conceived partnership between the university and other civic organizations, and - crucially - the importance of "a long-term initiative to revitalize and strengthen civic life and civic values".

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (4/21/06)—The Center for Democracy and Citizenship (CDC) at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs has received a $320,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (Battle Creek, MI) to support Minnesota Works Together, a long-term initiative to revitalize and strengthen civic life and civic values in Minnesota.  

In its first phase, Minnesota Works Together will sponsor several projects, including public forums and house meetings on civic values and renewal, education opportunities on civic skills, and a Twin Cities Public Television documentary on civic life in Minnesota. The organizers also plan to put the “civic impact” of public policies on the political agenda, building on earlier bipartisan work the CDC coordinated with the Clinton administration. The overall goal is to strengthen the capacities of individuals, communities, and institutions to work together to create healthy civic life.  

“Researchers have reported negative civic trends across the country. In discussions that CDC staff members have had with citizens in Minnesota, we have found these trends here as well. People are frustrated by bitter and unproductive partisan divisions, worried about tensions between immigrants and native born Americans, and concerned about a declining sense of community in general,” said Harry Boyte, Humphrey Institute senior fellow and co-director of the center. “At the same time, we have found many, many positive examples of civic renewal in some communities.  

There is a common belief that Minnesota can and should be a leader in renewing the country’s vibrant, democratic society. Minnesota is a civic laboratory for the nation.” Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter, a member of a statewide leadership team developed to work on the project, remarked on the legacy of civic action in Minnesota and the importance of rebuilding a vital civic culture. “Minnesota has such a wonderful civic heritage of citizens and government working together on tough problems, from schools and jobs to battling discrimination and restoring the environment,” said Carter. “We simply can’t let this heritage slip away. It is our greatest asset for the 21st century.”  

Carter is joined on the state leadership team by a bi-partisan group of leaders including former Gov. Al Quie, William Doherty, professor of family social science at the University of Minnesota, Rev. Peg Chemberlin, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Churches, Gary Cunningham, CEO of NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, Kent Eklund, president of the Fairview Foundation, and other civic leaders.  

Minnesota Works Together will use the talents and networks of the state leadership team and other civic, religious, and educational organizations to make this a collaborative and sustainable effort. For example, the Council of Churches is interested in hosting public forum discussions on civic action. The Citizens League, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and others will take part in an ongoing civic roundtable.  

“We have nicknamed this initiative the ‘me to we’ project. People have expressed the desire for greater skills and connections among people of diverse backgrounds to work together to strengthen civic life,” said Boyte. “We cannot simply continue to focus on ‘me first.’ We need to get back to the idea that it takes a village to raise a child – or to build a healthy civic community.”  

For more information on the Minnesota Works Together initiative, contact Boyte at (612) 625-5509. To learn more about the center and its activities, visit CDC online at www.publicwork.org.