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New York Office Activities
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The Democracy Collaborative's New York office is located at the Open
Society Institute, though it remains a separate initiative not otherwise
related to OSI. The particular concerns of this office include: global
civil society and transnational democracy; citizenship and community
service; the role of the arts in a democratic society; and fostering
democracy in both physical and virtual communities. Key projects under the direction of the New York office include the following:
The Agora Coalition
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A not-for-profit coalition of professionals who work with local communities and developers to stem the spread of suburban sprawl by creating modern day ‘agoras,’ the archetypal public space or civic center. The Agora Coalition presents a marriage of idealism and real-world business practice led by three experts in their fields: Benjamin Barber, Agora Coalition President Tracy Challenger, and the socially committed Seattle based developer Ron Sher. The Coalition provides a full range of planning, design, real estate development, and economic development consulting services. Our philosophy is to provide focused quality assistance that brings about concrete results which benefit the community and its citizens.
CivWorld Citizens Campaign for Democracy
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An initiative seeking to coordinate the many forces aimed at democratic transnationalism, constructive interdependence and global justice. CivWorld offers a common vision and broad strategy capable of attracting widespread support among anti-globalization protesters, NGOs, and government programs. Identifying a common vocabulary and ideological framework for the campaign to democratize globalization, the CivWorld project will develop concrete activities around which global citizenship can identify its meaning. The CivWorld Campaign assumes that democratizing globalization provides a viable and compelling alternative to passivity and spectatorship, building a world that is pluralistic and just. The Campaign includes the following: a Declaration of Interdependence; a CivWorld Citizens Passport; a voluntary, progressive self-tax; community and civic service programs; an interactive digital network; a constituencies program; and a foreign policy platform.
The Arts of Democracy
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An initiative premised on the idea that art and culture are imperative to the sustenance and strength of democratic societies. Building upon Dr. Barber’s report to former President Clinton’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (1997), this initiative explores the mutual responsibilities held between artists and society. In progress are a case study on Hip Hop’s civic role in New York City; a project examining the role of the critic in the social contract between artists and citizenry; and an Arts of Democracy Theatre Festival at the University of Maryland's Clarice Smith Center of the Performing Arts.
Democracy and Technology
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A project to design and implement web-based deliberation and collaboration software based on the principles of participatory democracy in order to foster communication on a global scale. The result is a virtual space where communities can self-moderate discussions, configure agendas, debate and vote on issues, collaborate on documents, and teach one another in real time.
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All of these activities are fully integrated with The Democracy Collaborative's work and administration at the University of Maryland, and are part of the Collaborative's overall mission.
Contact:
The Democracy Collaborative, New York Office
c/o The Open Society Institute
400 West 59th Street
New York, NY 10019
Tel: 212-548-0696
Fax: 212-548-4659
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