Field Notes
Greetings from Public Works: the Demos Center for the Public Sector!
As you advocate for constructive public policy, do you talk about the mission of government? Do you portray government as a long-term planner? A consensus-builder? A protector? Do you appeal to people’s desire to protect the common good? Do you help the public see themselves as stewards of our future?
Organizations and individuals who have partnered with Public Work have been using such concepts to refocus public will on government’s unique and crucial role in our society. They’ve sent us some examples — a blog, a research report, an op-ed, a radio interview, and more. Give these a look and give it a try.
We have been busy on the road in recent months, working with organizations, coalitions and individuals who are interested in helping to rebuild a constructive public dialogue about government’s role in American society. We have been conducting trainings, giving presentations, and consulting with groups about our insights into Americans’ current perceptions of government and effective ways to foster more productive understanding of our public sector.
We are happy to report that there are people and organizations all across the country who are seeking to create a new public conversation about the role of government. Whether they are environmental policy organizations and grassroots organizers or mayors and civic-minded business leaders, they share a common desire to refocus public will on the necessary and needed functions of an effective public sector in creating the kind of society we all want to live in.
You may be one of these folks. Maybe you attended a recent training or presentation. Or, maybe you have shown interest in our work in the past.
With this Public Works’ Field Notes, we thought we would pull off the road for a bit and share with you some notes and observations “from the field.” This publication is designed to offer those who are interested in our work some insight into what we have been doing , the lessons we are learning and teaching and, more importantly, how our colleagues and partners around the country are beginning to use our research and recommendations in their day-to-day work .
This Field Notes is part of an overall effort to transform our website and our electronic communications with you into an active resource. As our website is updated, we plan to offer concrete examples of how to apply our work in your particular issue arena, interactive exercises to practice what we’re teaching at our trainings, more in-depth information about our research, and additional resources to learn from. We plan to bring you more information about this soon. Meanwhile, these field notes will bring you up to date with our work and give you some vignettes, stories, insights and examples from the field.