2. Deep Divisions and Partisan Gridlock Stand in the Way of Progress
www.convergencepolicy.org
3. Our Mission
We convene people and groups with
conflicting views to
build trust,
identify solutions,
and form alliances
for action on critical national issues.
www.convergencepolicy.org
4. What Makes Us Unique
Pro-active
Employ a proven process that brings conflict
resolution best practices to public policy
Create a safe space for deeper conversation and trust
building
Focus on engaging diverse and influential
stakeholder groups
Facilitate processes beyond talk to create unlikely
alliances for action
Generate leverage for stakeholders by unifying
efforts on shared interests
www.convergencepolicy.org
4
5. Board of Trustees
Maja Ramsey, RockRose Institute
Dave Lipsky,
Scheinman Institute on
Conflict Resolution, Cornell
University
Bill Belding
School of International Service,
American University
Louise Phipps Senft
Baltimore Mediation
John Jacob
Akin Gump
Kelly Johnston
Campbell Soup
Company
Jessica Dibb
Inspiration
Community, Inc.
Rich Alper
Attorney/Mediator
Stuart Butler
The Heritage Foundation
Rich Korn, Korn Consulting Group
www.convergencepolicy.org
8. Principles Guiding Our Work
National issues can be addressed through public policy and private sector
action
By working together, diverse and divergent interests groups (stakeholders)
can create breakthrough solutions
No one group or individual has all the answers
The creative tension among those who disagree can generate breakthrough
ideas
Relationships and trust are essential to changing the environment from
win-lose negotiation strategies to achieving higher order, win-win
solutions
By pooling knowledge and resources, unlikely stakeholder coalitions
create leverage to achieve not-otherwise possible results
www.convergencepolicy.org
9. Theory of Change
Focus on key
stakeholders
•
•
•
•
•
Influential
Positions across the
spectrum
Deeply affected by
outcomes
In it for long haul
Possible alignment of
interests
Creates possibility
for breakthroughs
Deliberate (but flexible)
process design
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dialogue at the center
Collaborative setting
Reinforces civility
Concentric circles of
engagement
Active facilitation
Experiencing a different way
of working together
Creates the environment
for problem solving
www.convergencepolicy.org
Enabling deep
engagement
•
•
•
•
Safe space
Quality of conversation
Centering on values not
positions
Deep relationship
building
Creates opportunity for
transformative ideas
10. Our Process
Dialogue Leading to
Action
Assessment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identify an issue
Map the players
and positions
Frame the issue
Build trust and
agreement
Create alliances
for action
A national issue
where division or
the failure to
pool knowledge
stands in the way
of progress.
Conduct
extensive
research and
interviews to
map the key
players, their
positions, and
their underlying
interests.
Identify a unique
framing that will
encourage
diverse
stakeholders to
come to the
table.
Organize
stakeholders for
a sustained and
professionally
facilitated
dialogue that
builds trust and
relationships,
clarifies
differences, and
surfaces areas for
cooperation.
www.convergencepolicy.org
Stakeholders
develop a shared
action plan to
implement the
solutions they
recommend.
11. The Essential Phase: Assessment
Research
Identify key stakeholders
Barriers to progress
Adversarial positions
Outreach /
Interviews
Milestones
Gather intelligence and
information
Stakeholder
map
Build trust; establish neutrality
Framing of
the issue
Generate interest in collaboration
Possible areas of
common ground
Paint a picture of possibilities
Framing hypothesis
Hypothesis test issue frames
Core
stakeholder
participant
group
Potential funders
Transfer knowledge
Funding
Gauge potential for participation
www.convergencepolicy.org
12. Framing the Issue
ENTER BULLETS THAT DESCRIBE HOW TO BUILD A FRAME or WHAT ARE
THE KEY QUESTIONS WE CONSIDER
www.convergencepolicy.org
13. Current Projects
Project on Nutrition and Wellness
K-12 Education Project
Financing Long Term Care
U.S.-Pakistan Leaders Forum
www.convergencepolicy.org
13
15. What is at Stake
Approximately 35.7% of adults and 17% of children and
adolescents in America are obese; many more are overweight.
An estimated 79 million Americans are pre-diabetic with 1.2
million new diagnoses each year.
Type 2 diabetes, once believed to affect only adults, is
increasingly being diagnosed among young people.
Obesity, diabetes and other nutrition-related health outcomes
cost the U.S. an estimated $190 billion a year in medical
expenditures, $4.3 billion in business losses, and pose a threat to
our nation’s future.
www.convergencepolicy.org
16. The Problem and the Opportunity
The major interests work in silos.
There is miscommunication.
They have seemingly irreconcilable interests.
Public health can’t solve this alone.
Insurers, employers, and other businesses have a bottom
line interest in helping.
PNW brings together the different sectors to create a new
dynamic in the marketplace that will increase consumer
demand for healthier diets.
www.convergencepolicy.org
17. Project Vision and Mission
We envision a transformed culture of eating where
accessible, affordable and healthful dietary choices
bring enjoyment, improved health and vitality for
all Americans.
To realize this vision, PNW will create cross-sector
collaboration that catalyzes and accelerates a shift
in consumer demand.
www.convergencepolicy.org
18. Accomplishments to Date
Unifying frame of
the issue
How to increase
consumer demand
for healthier diets –
a unifying
framework
developed over
125+ interviews
with stakeholders
and experts.
Organized key
stakeholders
We have brought
together over 40
stakeholders with
national profiles,
representing
diverse fields and
interests. They are
committed to this
project’s success.
Building trust and
agreement
Our meetings focus
on building trust
and relationships
among participants
so that they are
able to see that
cooperation is both
possible and
desirable.
www.convergencepolicy.org
Developing
common knowledge
Developing a
common level of
understanding and
knowledge about
the barriers to
cooperation and
surfacing promising
areas for
cooperation.
19. Over 40 Stakeholders Including…
Food Industry
Community
and Civic
Groups
Insurers
And many
more!
Health and
Medicine
Academics,
Experts, and
Foundations
20. Stakeholder Reflections
“The gathering was impressive and it’s clear the participants are geared
toward real solutions. We applaud you for bringing together such a
diverse and focused group.” ~Public Interest Advocate
“The dialogue was, indeed, open and honest and much progress was made
since last July's meeting. I am excited to report the highlights to my
manager and VP.” ~Food Retailer
“I personally found the meeting extremely valuable. It afforded me a
number of new insights and new ways to think about engaging with
others.” ~Food Industry Leader
“…You delivered a provoking and helpful conversation that holds promise
for changing the landscape of the food and health market.”
~Foundation Leader
www.convergencepolicy.org
21. Levels of Outcomes
Align financial
incentives for
producing,
marketing, and
consuming
healthier foods
Collaborative
activities among
actors in many
sectors
Partnerships
among
participating
organizations
Trust and
understanding
www.convergencepolicy.org
23. K-12 Education Project
Engaging teachers’ union leaders,
technology companies, school
reformers, educators, parents and
community groups, administrators and
policy makers.
To re-imagine a 21st century education
system that works for children, parents,
teachers, and the society at large.
www.convergencepolicy.org
23
24. The End Game
Create systemic and sustainable
solutions to urgent challenges
facing PreK-12 education
in the United States.
www.convergencepolicy.org
24
25. Accomplishments to Date
Unifying frame of
the issue
What do we want
our education
system to produce
today, with our 21st
century needs and
tools? Developed
over 125+
interviews with
stakeholders and
experts.
Organized key
stakeholders
We have brought
together over 40
stakeholders with
national profiles,
representing
diverse fields and
interests. They are
committed to this
project’s success.
Building trust and
agreement
Our meetings focus
on building trust
and relationships
among participants
so that they are
able to see that
cooperation is both
possible and
desirable.
www.convergencepolicy.org
Cultivating space for
re-imagining
Next retreat will be
process-oriented to
help participants
surface hidden
assumptions about
our system and
what we have
inherited, and
begin to explore
new possibilities.
26. Potential Questions to Explore Under Frame
In what ways are students now learning? What might a day, week and year
in a student’s life look like as we consider models that go beyond the walls
of school buildings?
What constitutes student success? School success? What would we
measure?
How can technology transform how students learn and what teachers are
able to accomplish?
In the context of this new vision, how do we prepare, identify, and retain
great school leadership?
How do we attract and retain the most talented teachers? How do we
support their continuing development and bring out their highest and best
contribution? And how do we fairly evaluate their performance to ensure
accountability?
How do we create a collaborative school culture? How do we create an
environment that harvests a child’s intrinsic motivation to learn?
www.convergencepolicy.org
28. The Stakeholders
Students
School Support
and Venders
Parents
School and District
Employees
Outside
Perspectives
Unions
Businesses and
Universities
Policy Makers & Advocates
Teacher Training
Out of School
Support
Innovators
www.convergencepolicy.org
28
29. Historical Eras of U.S. Education
I.
The Puritans, 1630-1700s
II.
The American Revolution and creating
schools in the new republic, 1770s-1820s
III.
Common School Reform Era, 1820s-1860s
IV.
The Progressive Era, 1890s-1940s
V.
The Civil Rights Movement, 1950s- 1970s
(and Excellence Movement 1950s-)
VI.
Current Wave of Reform, 1983www.convergencepolicy.org
29
30. For Example: The Puritans, 1630-1700s
Viewed Children as Sinful and Depraved
Worried about Mortality Rates, Weakening
Family Role, and Juvenile Delinquency
Education for Salvation
www.convergencepolicy.org
30
31. Challenges for the New Republic
How to create new
citizens?
What materials should
students read?
Who should be educated?
How to balance order and
liberty?
How to educate a diverse
population?
www.convergencepolicy.org
31
32. Common School Reform Agenda
Get children into school
Increase the length of the school year
Consolidate rural districts into town systems
Develop mechanisms for state supervision and
regulation
Improve efficiency and teacher quality
Create uniform textbooks, curricula
Improve school buildings
www.convergencepolicy.org
32
33. New Challenges/Problems of the 1890s and early 1900s
Immigration
Industrialization
Urbanization
New Types of Students Entering Schools
IQ Testing, Administrative Reorganization,
Efficient Management of Schools
www.convergencepolicy.org
33
34. Summation of Progressive Era, 1890s-1940s
“Meet the needs” of the whole child
Differentiation of curriculum and school
tasks
Expertise in leadership
Emergence of Teacher Unions as a
protection against excesses of authoritarian
control
www.convergencepolicy.org
34
37. Changes after WWII
Increase in High School Enrollment
Increase in College Attendance
Massive Technological Change
Nuclear Age
Cold War
New Roles for the Federal Government
www.convergencepolicy.org
37
38. Some main themes of the 1950s-2000s
The Push for Educational Excellence
Desegregation and Civil Rights
The School Curriculum Reform Movement
Equal Educational Opportunity and the
Alleviation of Poverty
www.convergencepolicy.org
38
39. Current demographics and trends
Bulge in old people (2020 – 2050)
More Hispanics
An increasing poverty gap
Less two-parent families
More childhood disabilities
Growth in innovation
Trend toward social and emotional learning
www.convergencepolicy.org
39
40. FIRST MEETING: Project Goals
Mobilize an exceptionally diverse, influential, experienced, and
creative group of leaders who are passionate about the future of
education in America and committed to creating that future in
partnership with others.
Create a shared, powerful vision of extraordinary education for
the next generations of American children.
Map key pathways to realize the vision.
Define the essential actions and actors needed to begin moving
forward.
Launch a partnership of leaders committed to realizing the vision
together.
www.convergencepolicy.org
40
41. FIRST MEETING: Guiding Principles
We seek to envision a future where children experience extraordinary
education. This will require rethinking the purposes of education and
reimagining teaching and learning.
Our task is not to fix the current educational experience but to invent
something new.
Creating extraordinary education for future generations will require us
to move beyond our commitments to, and critiques of, the current
system.
With a compelling vision, clear pathways for change, and committed
partners, the leaders in this group can transform the future of
education.
www.convergencepolicy.org
41
42. What Struggles to Get In
Early
Childhood
New Systems
Learning
www.convergencepolicy.org
42
43. People Headed in Different Directions
www.convergencepolicy.org
43
49. Project Mission
To create a safe space where Pakistani and American
leaders can build trust and launch partnerships that
create value for both countries while improving mutual
respect and understanding between the two societies.
To demonstrate that cooperation between American
and Pakistani society can occur despite challenges in
the inter-governmental relationship.
To shift perceptions among policy leaders in both
countries in order to facilitate constructive policy
making and greater stability in the overall relationship.
www.convergencepolicy.org
50. A Strategic Approach to Cultivating New Levels of Cooperation
Engage diverse leaders
Identify shared interests
Build mutual understanding and respect
Form new partnerships
Advocate for policy reform
Increase bi-lateral cooperation
www.convergencepolicy.org
51. Creating a Durable Platform for Cooperation
US-Pakistan Dairy Working Group
2013
US-Pakistan Interfaith Consortium
with Intersections International
2013
US-Pakistan Business Consortium
with Atlantic Council
Time
2011
2013
Lahore Forum
Education and
Agriculture
US-Pakistan
Higher Education
Forum
2012
2010
White Oak
Planning Retreat
Potomac Forum
Media, Arts and
Culture
2013
2013
US-Pakistan Arts and
Culture Working Group
with Asia Society
Platform Extension and Partnership Building
52. U.S.-Pakistan Leaders Forum - Feb 17-19, 2011
3 Days 40+ Participants 3 Working Groups
15 Partnership Projects Identified
www.convergencepolicy.org
53. U.S.-Pakistan Leaders Forum on Media & Culture –
June 17-19, 2012
3 Days 55+ Participants 2 Working Groups
18+ Partnership Projects Identified
www.convergencepolicy.org
54. Partnership Example: Sister Schools
2011 States
Participating
Partnership of N.A.I.S and CARE
2012 States
Participating
PA
TX
CA
VA
MD
MO
AZ
FL
IA
NJ
CA
WV
MD
NY
AL
GA
IN
2011
Number of USPakistan Sister
School Pairings:
2012
7
2013 Goal
11
www.convergencepolicy.org
25
55. Partnership Example: UPIC
U.S.-Pakistan Interfaith Consortium
2011 - 2012
2012 - 2013
Scope
Partners
Intersections
Intersections
International
Center for Religion
& Diplomacy
Lahore University
of Management
Sciences
International
Islamic University
of Islamabad
10 Participants
20 Participants
Town Halls
Media Coverage
www.convergencepolicy.org
56. Our Process
Dialogue Leading to
Action
Assessment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identify an issue
Map the players
and positions
Frame the issue
Build trust and
agreement
Create alliances
for action
A national issue
where division or
the failure to
pool knowledge
stands in the way
of progress.
Conduct
extensive
research and
interviews to
map the key
players, their
positions, and
their underlying
interests.
Identify a unique
framing that will
encourage
diverse
stakeholders to
come to the
table.
Organize
stakeholders for
a sustained and
professionally
facilitated
dialogue that
builds trust and
relationships,
clarifies
differences, and
surfaces areas for
cooperation.
www.convergencepolicy.org
Stakeholders
develop a shared
action plan to
implement the
solutions they
recommend.
57. Our Process
Dialogue Leading to
Action
Assessment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identify an issue
Map the players
and positions
Frame the issue
Build trust and
agreement
Create alliances
for action
A national issue
where division or
the failure to
pool knowledge
stands in the way
of progress.
Conduct
extensive
research and
interviews to
map the key
players, their
positions, and
their underlying
interests.
Identify a unique
framing that will
encourage
diverse
stakeholders to
come to the
table.
Organize
stakeholders for
a sustained and
professionally
facilitated
dialogue that
builds trust and
relationships,
clarifies
differences, and
surfaces areas for
cooperation.
www.convergencepolicy.org
Stakeholders
develop a shared
action plan to
implement the
solutions they
recommend.
58. Our Process
Dialogue Leading to
Action
Assessment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identify an issue
Map the players
and positions
Frame the issue
Build trust and
agreement
Create alliances
for action
A national issue
where division or
the failure to
pool knowledge
stands in the way
of progress.
Conduct
extensive
research and
interviews to
map the key
players, their
positions, and
their underlying
interests.
Identify a unique
framing that will
encourage
diverse
stakeholders to
come to the
table.
Organize
stakeholders for
a sustained and
professionally
facilitated
dialogue that
builds trust and
relationships,
clarifies
differences, and
surfaces areas for
cooperation.
www.convergencepolicy.org
Stakeholders
develop a shared
action plan to
implement the
solutions they
recommend.
59. Our Process
Dialogue Leading to
Action
Assessment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identify an issue
Map the players
and positions
Frame the issue
Build trust and
agreement
Create alliances
for action
A national issue
where division or
the failure to
pool knowledge
stands in the way
of progress.
Conduct
extensive
research and
interviews to
map the key
players, their
positions, and
their underlying
interests.
Identify a unique
framing that will
encourage
diverse
stakeholders to
come to the
table.
Organize
stakeholders for
a sustained and
professionally
facilitated
dialogue that
builds trust and
relationships,
clarifies
differences, and
surfaces areas for
cooperation.
www.convergencepolicy.org
Stakeholders
develop a shared
action plan to
implement the
solutions they
recommend.
60. Our Process
Dialogue Leading to
Action
Assessment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identify an issue
Map the players
and positions
Frame the issue
Build trust and
agreement
Create alliances
for action
A national issue
where division or
the failure to
pool knowledge
stands in the way
of progress.
Conduct
extensive
research and
interviews to
map the key
players, their
positions, and
their underlying
interests.
Identify a unique
framing that will
encourage
diverse
stakeholders to
come to the
table.
Organize
stakeholders for
a sustained and
professionally
facilitated
dialogue that
builds trust and
relationships,
clarifies
differences, and
surfaces areas for
cooperation.
www.convergencepolicy.org
Stakeholders
develop a shared
action plan to
implement the
solutions they
recommend.
61. Our Process
Dialogue Leading to
Action
Assessment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Identify an issue
Map the players
and positions
Frame the issue
Build trust and
agreement
Create alliances
for action
A national issue
where division or
the failure to
pool knowledge
stands in the way
of progress.
Conduct
extensive
research and
interviews to
map the key
players, their
positions, and
their underlying
interests.
Identify a unique
framing that will
encourage
diverse
stakeholders to
come to the
table.
Organize
stakeholders for
a sustained and
professionally
facilitated
dialogue that
builds trust and
relationships,
clarifies
differences, and
surfaces areas for
cooperation.
www.convergencepolicy.org
Stakeholders
develop a shared
action plan to
implement the
solutions they
recommend.
62. Exercise Slide 1
A national issue where division or the
failure to pool knowledge stands in
the way of progress.
www.convergencepolicy.org
65. Thank You!
CONVERGENCE CENTER FOR POLICY RESOLUTION
1 1 0 1 1 7 th S t r e e t N W , S u i t e 1 3 5 0
Washington, DC 20036
TEL: (202) 973-4671
EMAIL: info@convergencepolicy.org
Follow us on Twitter or find us on Facebook:
ConvergenceCtr
www.convergencepolicy.org
Hinweis der Redaktion
Discuss history and evolution of project: Focus on hot button topics; national to local to national focus; threads all lead back to one pivotal question: what do we want to produce today with our 21st Century needs and tools? We have inherited a system that no longer meets important needs and, by many accounts, is holding us back.
David Gamson, Associate Professor at Penn State: We have inherited an education system from six relatively distinct waves of education reform, each evolving in response to the particular needs and concerns of each era.
After the American Revolution, how do we create new citizens?
Common Elements of Progressive Era School DistrictsStrong local leaders who pragmatically combined both administrative and pedagogical reformsAppeal to different community groups and goals: creativity and efficiencyCommunity and school board supportInnovation and sufficient resources importantTeacher involvement in curriculum development and implementation
What do we do with complexity? Let’s manage and control it.
1950s—Critiques of Progressive Education & ReactionsArthurBestor, Educational Wastelands, 1953Rudolf F. Flesch, Why Johnny Can’t Read—and what you can do about it, 1955Life Magazine, 1958In addition to desegregation—an oddly simultaneous reform push was going on (or was excellence push perhaps a reaction to desegregation—wanted schools to focus on high quality not equality)
Nora Gordon, Georgetown University Professor: What will our education system need to prepare people for? The aging of the baby boomers, resulting in a “bulge” of the elderly from 2020 to 2050, with a corresponding rise in geriatric health care needs and a decline in the ratio of working to non-working adults. The US will be a majority-minority nation by 2042.Increase in income-segregated neighborhoodsMost two-parent families are white and over half of black children live with a single mother. It is not clear if the increase is due to different reporting or genuine growth.
