• FedNet (a knowledge-sharing network of federal managers)
• The Researcher-Practitioner Network of the DDC

• LogoLink, a global network of practitioners from civil society organizations, research institutions and governments

• Centers for Disease Control
• Environmental Protection Agency
• National Nanotechnology Coordinating Office
• National Vaccine Advisory Committee

Composed of more than 30 organizations working to renew democracy through citizen participation and deliberation, the Consortium is committed to the following goals:

• Help public leaders find the examples and resources they need to engage citizens
• Integrate research and practice in the field
• Integrate online and face-to-face approaches
• Articulate how democracy is changing
• Help to build a permanent infrastructure for deliberative democracy

• Design of, and experimentation with, innovative deliberative practices
• Develop evaluation models and tools
• Relationship building, collaboration and convening within the field
• Create connections between the field of deliberation and other related fields
• Disseminate results to the public, decision-makers, academics, etc.
• Promote the philosophy and methods of deliberative democracy to all levels of government
• Increase the credibility and visibility of the deliberative democracy movement in the United States and around the world

Central to our work is the conviction that the outcomes of deliberation result in qualitatively better, more lasting decisions on policy matters. Participation in such forums is a central to democratic renewal. Essentially, our view is that democratic deliberation is a powerful, transformational experience for everyone involved--citizens and leaders alike--which can result in attitudinal shifts toward the institutions and practice of democracy overall.

The Deliberative Democracy Consortium has embarked on an ambitious research agenda that will build knowledge around the actual impact of deliberation upon civic attitudes and behavior, and the sustainability of follow-on efforts. Our hypothesis in this work is that, with expanded application, increased frequency and greater visibility, deliberative democracy can invigorate and rekindle the civic virtues of trust, participation and responsibility.

Knowledge Building. Identifies critical questions and collaborators to advance knowledge and practice in the field of deliberative democracy.

FedNet. Convenes federal officials from different countries to disucss ways of connecting democratic deliberation with federal policy-making. This task group is currently building resources for elected officials.

Online Deliberation. Builds knowledge and tracks innovation within the field of online deliberation. First product is the development of a deliberative democracy 'blog'.

Democratic Governance. Develops tools for leaders who are using deliberative strategies in their work.