Uniting for Democracy in The Northland

Uniting for Democracy (U4D) in The Northland is a non-partisan program that brings together residents in Northeast Minnesota to build relationships, strengthen collaboration skills, explore different perspectives on local issues, and work together to broaden civic participation. 

Program Goals:

1. Build relationships across difference
2. Increase understanding of different views on local issues
3. Strengthen collaboration and communication skills
4. Address a local democracy challenge through a local solution
5. Broaden civic participation to empower people from underrepresented communities to fully engage and lead​

Participants:
Anyone 18+ who lives in Northeast Minnesota and embraces the goals above
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Implementing Organizations:

• Lead for America: This local effort is being led by Amber Lewis, a Fellow with Lead for Minnesota (a state affiliate of the national Lead for America) who is originally from the Iron Range and is serving Northspan for two years. 
• Urban Rural Action: Provides facilitation and process support to participants 
• Northspan: Supports implementation of the venture designed by community members

Uniting for Democracy Overview
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U4D consists of three phases:

• Phases 1 and 2 took place in person in Duluth at Lake Superior College on Saturday, April 30, 2022. 
• Phase 3 started immediately after the workshop.  ​

4/30/22 Morning (Phase 1): Relationship-Building and Constructive Dialogue 

We used the ABCs of Constructive Dialogue to explore different views on issues in Northeast Minnesota while building connection

4/30/22 Afternoon (Phase 2): Planning for Action

We created Problem Trees to analyze causes and effects of civic participation challenges AND begin to design a community venture in Northeast Minnesota

Phase 3: Taking Action Post-Workshop (NOW)

We are now designing a community venture with Northspan.