Alumni Hub

Deliberation has been shown to alleviate polarization, moderate opinions, and produce lasting effects on policy views, voting intention, and mutual respect. That’s why Close Up, the Deliberative Democracy Lab at Stanford University, and the Generation Lab are hosting free, ongoing, online deliberations this fall using Stanford’s AI-assisted Online Deliberation Platform. Each event includes 60 minutes of small-group deliberation on current policy issues followed by a 60-minute plenary session with experts and policymakers, giving you a chance to learn from an array of perspectives.  

Sign up today and spread the word! 

• Register for the high school deliberation on social media policy on October 25 (1-3pm ET) 
• Register for the university deliberation on immigration policy on October 26 (1-3pm ET) 
• Register for the middle school deliberation on social media policy on December 6 (1-3pm ET) 

On September 17, the Sine Institute of Policy & Politics at American University released the results of a poll focused on the views of Americans aged 18-34, designed in partnership with Close Up and Future Caucus and based on interviews conducted by the Generation Lab. Head over to the Current Issues Blog for both a summary and the entirety of the poll’s fascinating findings. Does the survey mirror how you feel about our political leaders, your own future, and the future of our country? 

In July 2024, Close Up celebrated 20 years of partnership with Bank of America by bringing approximately 300 Student Leaders from all over the country to Washington, D.C. These remarkable young people enjoyed a Bank of America Student Leader Summit filled with civic learning, discussions about their economic future—even a surprise seminar with A Starting Point Founders/Close Up partners Chris Evans and Mark Kassen! 

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