Monthly Archives: July 2009

ACRL Law and Political Science Section Program on Political Engagement, ALA 2009 Annual Conference

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2009 ALA Annual Conference

Political Engagement: Facilitating Greater Participation in Civil Society
2009 ALA Annual Conference Program

Saturday, July 11, 1:30 – 3:00 PM

Democracy requires a well-informed citizenry willing to participate in political activities such as voting, campaign work, contacting officials and community work. Recognizing dropping rates of participation in civic life, higher education organizations have begun programs to encourage greater political engagement by today’s students. Find out more about these efforts and discover how libraries can facilitate development of lifelong critical thinking and research skills needed for citizenship.

Speakers:

The program presentations by Nancy Kranich and Des Plaines Public Library’s Joanne Griffin and Holly Sorensen are now available for viewing, as is the updated pathfinder/bibliography with speaker biographies and recommended sources on civic engagement.

Obama Pledges Support for Social Innovation, Encourages Public-Private Partnerships

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Obama Pledges Support for Social Innovation, Encourages
Public-Private Partnerships (7/02/09)

Foundation Center, Philanthropy News Digest, July 7, 2009

President Barack Obama has pledged that his administration will
do its part to support grassroots organizations that are suc-
cessful in their efforts to improve communities, the Associated
Press reports.

While announcing the launch of the Community Solutions Agenda at
a White House gathering last week, Obama issued a challenge to
government, business, foundations, and average citizens to come
together to identify and invest in promising solutions to the
nation’s toughest problems. The effort, which includes the White
House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation and a
$50 million Innovation Fund, is designed to help scale effective
nonprofit innovations and foster promising new ideas in educa-
tion, health care, energy, the economy, and other areas.

To that end, the Innovation Fund will work to leverage invest-
ments totaling $1 billion over five years in support of high-
impact social sector innovations. Administered by the Corporation
for National and Community Service, the fund will provide grants
to existing grantmaking institutions that in turn support inno-
vative, results-driven nonprofits. Grantmaking institutions and
their nonprofit grantees will be asked to match the fund’s
investments.

“Solutions to America’s challenges are being developed every day
at the grassroots,” Obama said during the White House gathering.
“Government shouldn’t be supplanting those efforts. It should be
supporting those efforts.”

“President Announces Community Solutions Agenda.” America Forward
Press Release 6/30/09.

http://pndapps.fdncenter.org/link/20012217/story