Tag: Editorials and Op-Eds

Jodi R. Sandfort, Dean of the University of Washington Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance and core partner in the Project for Civic Health, recently wrote an opinion piece for the Tri-City Herald highlighting the Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute (WA-CELI).

Through efforts like this one, the Project for Civic Health is strengthening our state’s political leadership and contributing to building a sense of shared responsibility and community. By working together, listening to each other, and aiming toward a common purpose, we increase our sense of trust and belonging.

Read the opinion piece in the Tri-City Herald here.

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Julia Carboni serves as the executive director of The William D. Ruckelshaus Center — a partnership of Washington State University and the University of Washington that supports civic health and collaborative policy making in Washington state — and is a core partner in the Project for Civic Health.

She recently wrote this guest opinion piece in The Spokesman-Review highlighting the Washington Collaborative Elected Leaders Institute (WA-CELI). A joint program developed by the Evans School and the Ruckelshaus Center, WA-CELI equips elected officials with leadership skills to address the complex challenges facing Washington State’s communities.

Through this training, elected officials are learning new ways of governing and practicing working together to benefit their constituents. As they gain experience, they can be role models for Washingtonians as we strive to uphold the Project for Civic Health’s three principles — to engage with respect, seek common ground, and disagree constructively.

Read the opinion piece here.

Katy Terry, Executive Director of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and core partner in the Project for Civic Health, recently wrote an opinion piece for the The Everett Daily Herald, emphasizing the importance of respect and civility across Washington state, and highlighting civic efforts happening in Snohomish County where the late U.S. Senator Scoop Jackson grew up.

Furthering Senator Jackson’s legacy of leadership—exemplified by his willingness to engage with people with whom he disagreed—the Jackson Foundation joined the Project for Civic Health to help create a broad, statewide movement to improve civic health.

“Washington is a place of innovation. Let’s work together to model a new path; one that looks toward a healthier civic future,” said Executive Director Terry, encouraging readers to join our civic health effort. “It starts with each of us.”

Read the opinion piece in The Everett Daily Herald here.

Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, partner in the Project for Civic Health, recently wrote a guest opinion column for The Columbian, highlighting a growing movement for increased civility in politics, as well as the Project’s core principles toward restoring civic health.

Heck, a Clark County native, reflected on his first-ever run for public office — when he campaigned for an open State House seat in the 17th Legislative District in 1976. He compared that experience to how campaigning looks in today’s political climate, emphasizing the significant need to bring back respect and civility to American politics.

“The slightest disagreement in today’s politics very often triggers hate and invective,” said Lt. Gov. Heck. “But here’s the deal: We don’t have to live this way. We don’t have to be this way.”

Read his opinion column for The Columbian here.

The Tri-City Herald Editorial Board recently addressed the increasingly divisive political environment with an editorial that featured the Project for Civic Health. The piece spotlighted the role of media influencers and social media as contributing to the deepening divide. And it suggested the Project for Civic Health as an alternative to the current course.

The editorial also brought attention to an organization, the Tri-City Civility Caucus, which we included in our list of other civic health efforts in the state. This organization held the Tri-Cities Civic Townhall last December with a room of nearly 100 people and invited one of our Project’s partners to be among the speakers. Sharing a similar vision as us, they also called on everyone to listen to each other and exchange our own views respectfully in favor of a healthier public discourse.

To learn more and get involved, visit our Engage With Us page!