Wisconsin Community Assemblies
Strengthening communities through public participation
UW–Madison’s Division of Extension Community Development Institute and the La Follette School of Public Affairs are partnering to hold community assemblies across Wisconsin to help find solutions to some of the state’s most complex and pressing problems. A community assembly is a small-scale forum in which a representative group comes together to learn, deliberate, and make recommendations about a specific issue or proposal. While community assemblies harken back to ancient Greece, they have regained popularity in recent years as a way to engage communities in addressing complex issues, ranging from affordable housing to digital safety.
A collaboration-building project, built by collaboration
The Wisconsin Community Assemblies are a partnership between the La Follette School of Public Affairs and the Division of Extension. Leadership Wisconsin is a partner for the Community Assemblies in Dodgeville, Kenosha County, and Marathon County.
The La Follette School of Public Affairs
The La Follette School of Public Affairs is a leading academic institution focused on public policy and the practice of governance. It strives to inspire evidence-based policymaking and to advance the public good.
The Community Development Institute
The Division of Extension’s Community Development Institute provides educational programming to help leaders, communities, and organizations realize their fullest potential. It works with communities to build the vitality that enhances their quality of life and enriches the lives of their residents.
Leadership Wisconsin
Leadership Wisconsin prepares, empowers and activates leaders to engage in their local communities differently and seek collaborative, solution-focused approaches to challenges.
The Wisconsin Community Assemblies are led by Associate Professor Amber Wichowsky of the La Follette School. She also holds the Leadership Wisconsin Endowed Chair for the Division of Extension. Her research explores civic engagement and how individuals and communities engage contentious and complex public issues.
A Main Street Agenda project
The Wisconsin Community Assemblies are part of the La Follette School of Public Affairs’ Main Street Agenda project. Every two years, the school holds events around the state to raise awareness about the issues that matter to Wisconsin residents, provide opportunities for them to share their views on the issues and how to solve them, and promote civil dialogue and participatory democracy.
More information
Questions? Contact us at outreach@lafollette.wisc.edu.