(Un)common Challenges

Session Videos and Report      Agenda      Speakers

With democratic norms being upended at an unprecedented pace, institutions, communities, and individuals must work together to build a better future and strengthen commitments to democracy. UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and the Brennan Center for Justice co-hosted (Un)Common Challenges, an invitation-only convening of experts from academia, the government, community organizing, and civil society to discuss common challenges as well as promising strategies and opportunities in these uncommon times. Panels and networking sessions promoted cross-sector dialogue and fostered collaborations for pro-democracy research, investments, and collective actions.

If you have questions about this event, please contact [email protected].

Read a report of the event with snapshots of the four panels, alongside reflections and responses from panelists and conference attendees that surface areas of consensus, productive tension, and questions for further conversations.

Welcome

To open the day, Kareem Crayton and David C. Wilson offered reflections on the state of American democracy and the critical role of institutions, leadership, and collaboration in meeting this moment.

Speakers:

• Kareem Crayton, Vice President, Washington, DC, Office of the President, Brennan Center for Justice
• David C. Wilson, Dean, Goldman School of Public Policy

The Future of Universities

What role should public and private universities play in furthering democracy in America, particularly in a time of extreme polarization? How can universities best navigate internal and external tensions and pressures? What is the future for American higher education institutions, given recent funding cuts as well as changing economic, technological, geopolitical, and demographic conditions?

Speakers: 

• Agenia Clark, President, Fisk University
• Janet Napolitano, Professor of Public Policy, Goldman School of Public Policy (former Secretary of Homeland Security, University of California President, and Governor of Arizona) 
• Ron Daniels, President, Johns Hopkins University

Moderator:

• Jesse Rothstein, Carmel P. Friesen Professor of Public Policy, David P. Gardner Professor of Higher Education, and Professor of Economics; Director, California Policy Lab; Director, Center for Studies in Higher Education

The Future of Federalism and State and Local Power

What is the future of federalism in an era of increasing polarization and unchecked executive power? How are state and local leaders in red, blue, or purple states responding to federal actions and cuts? Where are they finding opportunities and inspiration? What is the path forward in terms of preserving—and strengthening—voting rights and the rule of law? And what cannot be accomplished without federal intervention?

Speakers:

• Jake Grumbach, Associate Professor, Goldman School of Public Policy
• Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California
• Kareem Crayton, Vice President, Washington, DC, Office of the President, Brennan Center for Justice
• Barbara Drummond, State Representative, Alabama House of Representatives, District 103

Moderator:

• Kevin Morris, Senior Research Fellow and Voting Policy Scholar, Brennan Center for Justice

The Future of Civil Society

What can we learn from community leaders, organized labor, business, and religious groups about ways to share power, wield influence, deliver value, and create successful governance structures? How do we spark broad engagement to reimagine the democracy we want, not just the one we have/had? What role should philanthropic investments play? 

Speakers:

• Manuel Pastor, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and American Studies & Ethnicity at the University of Southern California
• David Huerta, President, Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West
• Joseph McKellar, Executive Director, PICO CA 
• Judy Samuelson,  Vice President, Founder, and Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Business and Society Program 

Moderator:

• Angela Glover Blackwell, Professor of Practice & Chief Vision Officer of the Democracy Policy Initiative, Goldman School of Public Policy; Founder in Residence, PolicyLink 

The Future of Media in the Public Interest

Technology has transformed (and continues to shape) the information and media economy. What challenges do journalists and members of the media face in informing and educating the public, particularly in an era of corporate consolidation and control, polarization, mis- and dis-information, rapid change, and threats to legacy institutions? What new possibilities for democracy does technology engender? Where do we see hope for an informed populace?

Speakers:

• Adam Bonica, Associate Professor of Political Science, Stanford University  
• Grace Lee, independent documentary filmmaker, host of Viewers Like Us podcast 
• Perry Bacon Jr., columnist
• Michael Isip, President, KQED

Moderator:

• Ian Bassin, President, Protect Democracy

Closing Remarks

David C. Wilson, Dean, Goldman School of Public Policy