Civic-Minded: Two Conferences, One Blog Post
IPCE Senior Associate Director Norma Ramos Recaps Two Conferences She Recently Attended
Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the National Conference on Citizenship — Building Civic Resilience and the2025 Raíces Public Policy Conference: Education, Engagement & Empowerment.
The National Conference on Citizenship focused on themes supporting communities across America seeking ways to strengthen civic infrastructure and rebuild trust in democratic processes. The conference brought together hundreds of leaders from government, philanthropy, nonprofits, media, and community organizations to share proven approaches for strengthening civic health. This year the conference focused on discussions and strategies for strengthening democracy, improving civic health, and ensuring community resilience. The day was filled with successful models and practical tools we could use to foster critical partnerships within our communities and at our organizations/institutions.
In a session titled “Measuring and Strengthen Civic Health: Lessons from Local to National” provided a powerful lens for understanding and strengthening civic life across communities and the nation. The panel experts shared how facilitating community conversations is important to measuring civic health. They reminded us that “civic participating is a cornerstone of democracy” and “strong civic health is vital to healthy, functioning systems and thriving communities.” Indicators such as political participation, social connectedness and community involvement can provide a snapshot of civic health. They left us with questions on - What data would we like to see in the future to strengthen our own civic health work? What opportunities for building civic resilience do we want to see at the local and national levels? Two questions that our team could consider and explore in our own civic health research.
A session titled “Local Resilience Starts with Citizen Leaders” deeply resonated with me. This session explored how to empower citizens to lead on problem-solving and how to build resilient personal and local relationships that foster sustained social connection. Utilizing their social connections and building their civic muscles can be used to strengthen their communities. The power to connect can create change. Three c’s were highlighted – courage, convene and coalitions. There is strength in people learning from each other. Our lived experiences and the knowledge we carry can be a powerful tool for creating change. As a catalyst for learning and action, our Institute seeks to broaden and deepen the engagement of community residents in public policy and community issues which were discussed in this session.
The Raíces Public Policy Conference is an annual event that convenes policymakers, stakeholders, and community members to delve into our Raíces platform which includes Education, Health Equity, Immigration & Language Access, Economic & Business Development, and Latiné Representation. What makes Raíces unique is that the Illinois Latino Caucus Foundation (ILLCF) convenes participants together through roundtable discussions and dialogue allowing us to engage with one another, network, and help inform our Raíces policy priorities. Participants can share their insights and experiences about policies, research and data related to Latino communities with one another.
State Senator Villanueva and State Representatives Avelar, Hernandez, and Ortiz kicked off the morning plenary on the state’s role and impact on civics and governance. They highlighted the impact of state level decisions on justice, equity and community development. They also shared their own personal stories of how civic engagement and how policy intersect to strengthen democratic participation. An important takeaway was how policy and politics affect us all whether we are involved or not. And, our engagement is necessary.
Raíces also explored the power and current trends in Latino civic participation and the factors shaping their overall civic engagement. A panel discussed the key issues that influence Latino communities at the ballot box, from economic opportunity to healthcare and education. We had an opportunity to hear how these trends are reshaping the political landscape and driving future policy priorities. Panel members explored the importance of representation from issues on access to education, social mobility, economy, immigration, housing, and more. They shared with us their ideas to building longtime civic power by organizing at the neighborhood levels, running for elected offices and city councils.
Reflections
As someone who helps to support the Institute’s policy and civic engagement research, public discourse, and educational activities, I am always looking for ways to gain new knowledge on policy issues and social trends. My participation in both conferences reminded me that even though we all come from different backgrounds, we come together with a shared passion for civic life, a desire to create stronger bonds and an opportunity to collaborate. These were spaces where we can share ideas, discuss challenges and solutions for our communities and contribute to democratic education opportunities.
Looking forward
I was inspired by hearing - civic joy - from both conferences. There is an opportunity to connect to something larger - a shared purpose to transform our civic engagement opportunities into positive experiences. We can spark hope in building trust and stronger community bonds by working together with our neighbors, community partners, and each other. I look forward to developing programming that continues to support the future efforts of civic learning and democratic education which can create positive and joyful experiences for all. I would love to hear more about what makes you feel the most connected to your community. What is a local experience, like a community event, festival, or group activity, that you have found meaningful? What resources or support would make it easier for you to participate in community activities or local civic life?
