The Penn Public Talk Project,
a new program of the Penn National
Commission on Society, Culture and Community based at the University
of Pennsylvania, is a broadly conceived, nationwide effort to make
public discourse more protductive and to creatively build strong, inclusive
communities as we enter the 21st century.
Programs developed by the
Public Talk Project reflect the central
insights of the Penn National Commission on Society, Culture and
Community: Robust, engaged discourse on issues of public consequence
creates and strengthens diverse, inclusive communities. When citizens
do "real work" together, individuals of varied backgrounds
and opinions can deepen their understanding and recognition of mutual
differences while strengthening their sense of shared community.