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NextGen Roundtable: America 250 Regional Deliberations & PD

Is Close Up coming to your community or region this year?

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We’re going coast to coast to build civil discourse skills.

Rarely has there been a more important moment to bring young Americans together—to hold in-person gatherings away from screens and to learn to appreciate our differences instead of retreat to our corners.

To assist students in solidifying their critical thinking skills, Close Up is partnering with universities, education leaders, elected officials, and policy experts to engage high school students and educators in regional, day-long events of purposeful deliberation and professional development as part of NextGen Roundtable: America 250. Through civil discourse, we aim to empower students to listen with empathy and express their ideas with clarity and confidence.

Upcoming Regional Deliberations & PD Trainings

  • Dallas, Texas | March 9, 2026 | Dallas College
  • Miami, Florida | March 12, 2026 | Miami Killian Senior High School 
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Join us for a day of deliberative dialogue and professional development.

Each regional deliberation will convene 250 high school students from public, charter, private, and independent schools in the area who represent a cross-section of backgrounds and perspectives. Students will deliberate policy issues in small groups moderated by neutral facilitators, weigh diverse perspectives from their peers and a panel of policy experts, and craft vision statements for making an impact in their community. All participating students will receive Close Up’s Deliberative Dialogue Badge.

As students deliberate, accompanying educators will take part in a Close Up-led professional development workshop around deliberative dialogue and political values, including a seminar with a university partner historian. Following the PD session, educators will earn continuing education units for applying what they learn in their classrooms.

  • Explore all NextGen Roundtable Deliberations!

671 N. Glebe Road, Suite 900
Arlington, VA 22203

703-706-3300 or 800-CLOSE UP

CST-1002082-40:
Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California.

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