About UsAmericaSpeaksAS_18a7823e-6e71-11df-a8b5-98647a64ea2aSince our founding in 1995 by Dr. Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer, AmericaSpeaks gives citizens an authentic voice in local, regional and national decision-making on the most challenging public issues of the day. We are a nonpartisan organization based in Washington, D.C.Dr. Carolyn J. LukensmeyerFounderOur vision is that the public's business will be conducted differently - that by developing a rich national infrastructure for democratic deliberation through our projects, innovation and collaboration, we can access the collective wisdom of the American people._18a784be-6e71-11df-a8b5-98647a64ea2aTo reinvigorate American Democracy by engaging citizens in the public decision-making that most impacts their lives._18a785a4-6e71-11df-a8b5-98647a64ea2aNational InfrastructureLead the development of a national infrastructure for democratic deliberation that institutionalizes the links between decision-makers and citizens in determining public policy._18a78630-6e71-11df-a8b5-98647a64ea2aCitizensPublic Policy Decision-MakersWe are leading the development of a national infrastructure for democratic deliberation that institutionalizes the links between decision-makers and citizens in determining public policy. With a national infrastructure in place, public discussions could be organized quickly to generate citizen input on the important issues we face as a nation.Through our innovative deliberative tools such as our 21st Century Town Meeting®, more than 150,000 people across the country and around the world have had an impact on their communities. These tools give citizens an opportunity to have a strong voice in public decision-making within the increasingly short timeframes required of decision-makers. As a result, citizens can impact decisions and those in leadership positions can make more informed, lasting decisions.PartnershipsDevelop partnerships with other organizations to create coordinating institutions._18a786bc-6e71-11df-a8b5-98647a64ea2a1Public DiscussionIncrease elected officials’ knowledge of and commitment to public discussions._18a7873e-6e71-11df-a8b5-98647a64ea2a2Elected OfficialsFacilitatorsRecruit and train a national network of volunteer facilitators._18a787d4-6e71-11df-a8b5-98647a64ea2a3FacilitatorsOutreachDevelop public outreach processes to ensure diverse and representative participation._18a7886a-6e71-11df-a8b5-98647a64ea2a4Technologies and ApproachesDevelop appropriate technologies and approaches to facilitate effective dialogue._18a7890a-6e71-11df-a8b5-98647a64ea2a52010-06-02http://www.americaspeaks.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=471OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net