A Public Voice '03: Terrorism

Milton B. Hoffman Productions.

Each year, many public television stations around the nation air an hour-long program that features U.S. citizens deliberating in National Issues Forums around the nation. The programs also feature distinguished panels of nationally known political leaders, commentators and journalists meeting at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. to reflect on what this 'public voice' may mean in setting direction for America. The topics are different each year.

Resource Link: http://www.nifi.org

Americans for Informed Democracy's Organizers Toolkit - Reforming the U.N. for a Safer World

On March 21, 2005, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan presented a new report for sweeping reform in the United Nations, In Larger Freedom. In his report, Annan calls for a collective security system to fight terrorism, an enlarged Security Council, a revamped UN human rights system and new guidelines for military action. While the reforms are critical to the U.N.'s continued effectiveness in a changing world, questions remain as to whether the U.S. will support these reforms, which many advocates believe are necessary to address the pressing security and development imperatives of the twenty-first century, from the genocide in Darfur to the Millennium Development Goals.

Resource Link: http://www.aidemocracy.org/globalgovernance.doc

Americans for Informed Democracy's Organizers Toolkit - Securing the Future

Now more than ever, Americans are asking serious questions about how the changing global environment is impacting all of our lives. Research shows us that climate instability and oil dependence are not just environmental concerns, but problems that will affect the national security, economy and health of our country. Americans for Informed Democracy is thus focusing its Securing the Future initiative about the changing global environment on specifically climate and energy issues.

Resource Link: http://www.aidemocracy.org/securethefuture.doc

Constructive Conversations for Challenging Times: A Guide for Home and Community Dialogue

Watertown, MA: Public Conversations Project, 2001.

A 38-page guide to convening and facilitating constructive conversations about the events of September 11 and all that has happened since. The guide draws on over a decade of experience conducting dialogues about divisive public issues such as abortion, homosexuality, and how to use natural resources. It contains instructions for a two-hour structured dialogue and suggestions for briefer or less formal conversations that have the spirit of dialogue. For step-by-step support in hosting your own dialogue in person or online, download a free copy of PCP's Guide for Home and Community Dialogue.

Resource Link: http://www.publicconversations.org

God & Allah Need to Talk: A Film for Healing and Reconciliation

Ruth Broyde-Sharone, filmmaker.

Following the devastating events of 9/11, filmmaker Ruth Broyde-Sharone saw an urgent need to document the efforts of courageous Muslims, Jews, and Christians in Los Angeles who are determined to bring healing to a fragmented nation. The film illustrates how interfaith dialogue, community outreach, and even dinner conversation can be harnessed to dissolve fear and suspicion and, ultimately, to create a path towards true reconciliation. God/Allah is always talking to us, but are we talking to one another?

Resource Link: http://filmsthatmatter.com/videos.html

Invisible Children: Rough Cut

The United Nations estimates that 300,000 children are currently fighting in conflicts around the world and hundreds of thousands more are members of armed forces - either being trained for combat or used as laborers. Physical, sexual and emotional abuse is commonplace. Most of these children were forcible conscripted or abducted by fighting forces to become instruments of war, to kill or be killed. Without exception, the experience has devastating effects on their physical, psychological and intellectual development. What started out as a film-making adventure in Africa transformed into much more when three young Americans' travels took a divine turn, and they found themselves stranded in Northern Uganda. They discovered children being kidnapped nightly from their homes and subsequently forced to become fight as child soldiers. This film is dedicated to exposing this tragic, and amazingly untold story.

Resource Link: http://www.invisiblechildren.com

Local Voices: Citizen Conversations on Civil Liberties and Secure Communities

League of Women Voters, 2005.

Local Voices is the culmination of the League of Women Voters' eight-month initiative to foster public dialogue about the balance between civil liberties and homeland security. The report contains comments, concerns, and values expressed by over 700 people in two kinds of citizen conversations - focus groups and public dialogues - held in geographically and economically diverse communities across the country. The report also contains an examination of relevant polling data.

Resource Link: http://www.lwv.org/Content/ContentGroups/Publications/EducationFundReports/lwv_localvoices_2c.pdf

North Korea and Nuclear Weapons

Choices Program at Brown University?’s Watson Institute for International Studies.

In October 2006, North Korea backed up its claim that is it has nuclear weapons with its declaration that it had exploded a nuclear warhead. After careful review, it was determined that this claim was true. The ambiguity about the status of North Korea's nuclear program is over; they have nuclear weapons and want the world to know it. At the end of the month, the North Koreans agreed to return to the six-party talks. These talks have resulted in a tentative agreement. This promises to be the beginning of a long and challenging process. This resource presents four policy alternatives for U.S policy toward North Korea. Resources to facilitate deliberation on this issue are included, and links to additional materials are also available. The materials are produced for use in high school classrooms, and are easily adapted to public discussion.

Resource Link: http://www.choices.edu/resources/twtn_nk.php

Nuclear Weapons: What Should Our Policy Be?

Choices Program at Brown University?’s Watson Institute for International Studies.

Today, the world faces many complex challenges. We can see the results of terrorism, environmental issues and disease, yet for most of us nuclear weapons remain out of sight and out of mind. For many, the abstract theories and jargon that surround nuclear weapons combined with the nearly unimaginable consequences make thinking about the challenges of nuclear weapons difficult. This resource presents a balanced range of views on the questions that surround the future of nuclear weapons. Resources to facilitate deliberation on this issue are included. Links to additional materials are also available. The materials are produced for use in high school classrooms, and are easily adapted to public discussion.

Resource Link: http://www.choices.edu/resources/twtn_nukes.php

Participate America Foundation

The Participate America Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening the fabric of American democracy by encouraging Americans to become active in their civic responsibilities and by perpetuating the positive actions that resulted from the September 11th tragedy. National Civic Participation Week (the week of September 11) is their primary project.

Resource Link: http://www.participateamerica.org

Potlucks for Peace

Potlucks for Peace is a new way to build support for peaceful conflict resolution at all levels. PFP began as a grassroots movement in Seattle during the run-up to the US-led war in Iraq in 2003. Thousands of people opposed to the war - and many who supported it - gathered in homes, churches and other venues to discuss the war and its implications for the US and the world.

Resource Link: http://www.potlucksforpeace.org

Preventing Terrorism and Promoting Civil Liberties - A Citizen ChoiceWork Guide

Public Agenda.

Local law enforcement plays a critical role in the fight against terrorism. Officers identify and guard likely targets, generate intelligence through informants, undercover work and technology, and coordinate with federal authorities. And, should prevention fail, they are among the first responders who try to minimize the damage. How can law enforcement officers be most effective in fighting terrorism? What role, if any, should the community play in these efforts? How should we deal with tradeoffs we might face with respect to our privacy and civil liberties? How can infringement on civil liberties be avoided, or at least minimized, while we work to maintain our security?

Resource Link: http://www.publicagenda.org/pubengage/pe_toolkit.cfm

Stateline.org

Stateline.org was founded in order to help journalists, policy makers and engaged citizens become better informed about innovative public policies. In addition to their online news gathering activities, Stateline.org periodically publishes printed reference materials that are free for the asking, including a State of the States report released every January. They also sponsor professional development conferences and workshops for the news media, including the annual conference of CapitolBeat, the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors.

Resource Link: http://www.stateline.org

Terrorism Issue Guide

Public Agenda.

There has not been a terrorist attack on U.S. soil since the fall of 2001. Yet the possibility is ever-present and guides much of what we do as a society. The "war on terrorism" is no mere metaphor; it has led us to two all-too-real wars in less than two years. At home, we live with periodic "orange alerts" and checkpoints. While much has changed since Sept. 11, the "war on terrorism" debate boils down to a single theme: What are Americans willing to do? How much are we willing to spend in money, prestige, rights, lives? Public Agenda Issue Guides or ?“Citizen Choicework Guides?” contain background information on the topic and present three different approaches to the issue for people to deliberate.

Resource Link: http://www.publicagenda.org/specials/terrorism/terror.htm

Terrorism: How Should We Respond?

Choices Program at Brown University?’s Watson Institute for International Studies.

Terrorism has become a central issue in U.S. policy at home and abroad. How should we respond to terrorism? What U.S. interests are at stake in this issue? What values and interests should guide U.S. policy toward terrorism? What should our long-term goals be? What steps should the United States take in the coming months and years? This resource presents four policy alternatives for U.S. policy concerning international terrorism. Resources to facilitate deliberation on this issue are included. Links to additional materials are also available. The materials are produced for use in high school classrooms, and are easily adapted to public discussion.

Resource Link: http://www.choices.edu/resources/twtn_terrorism.php

The 10 Most Useful Lies About Terrorism

Bradley Burston. Haaretz Israel News, September 26, 2006.

Burston's articles pull no punches and easily evoke empassioned dialogue about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This one focuses on our concept of terrorism, and describes why certain common beliefs are misnomers, including "Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims," "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter," "Terrorists are generally drawn from the disadvantaged sectors of a population, those who have suffered the worst oppression," "Profiling works," "We don't negotiate with terrorists."

Resource Link: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/764955.html

U.S. Role in the World

Choices Program at Brown University?’s Watson Institute for International Studies.

An important debate is taking place in the United States concerning America's role in the world today. This material presents four distinct alternatives - or Futures - that frame the current debate. Resources to facilitate deliberation on this issue are included. Links to additional materials are also available. The materials are produced for use in high school classrooms, and are easily adapted to public discussion.

Resource Link: http://www.choices.edu/resources/twtn_usrole.php