Braver Angels CT Alliance to Host Moving Beyond Polarization: Making Politics Work
Moving Beyond Polarization: Making Politics Work will take place on Thursday, Sept. 8, 7:30 - 9 p.m. via Zoom. Visit ct.braverangels.org for more information, or register to attend this free event at bit.ly/ct-beyond.
The program will be held by the Braver Angels Connecticut Alliance as a special event demonstrating how two state representatives—one red, one blue—can communicate across differences and bridge the political divide. Braver Angels co-founder Bill Doherty will moderate a unique discussion between Republican Steven Harding and Democrat Cristin McCarthy Vahey. Connecticut Public, and the Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford are co-sponsors for this event.
The virtual event is open to people of any and all political viewpoints.
The goals of this timely, moderated discussion include: improving one’s understanding of the experiences, values, and beliefs of a member of the other political party in today’s polarized environment; discovering areas of commonality and differences; discussing current challenges in state politics, and exploring ideas for reducing political polarization.
About Braver Angels, Braver Politics, and the Connecticut Alliance:
Launched in 2016, Braver Angels is a bipartisan citizen’s movement to unify America. By bringing Red and Blue Americans together into a working alliance, Braver Angels is building new ways to talk to one another, participate together in public life, and influence the direction of the nation. Through its network of local alliances throughout the country, Braver Angels offers a range of in-person and online workshops, debates, book and film clubs, podcasts, and more. https://braverangels.org
Beyond Polarization is the Connecticut Alliance’s first “Braver Politics” event. Launched by Braver Angels in the spring of 2022, Braver Politics is a national initiative to depolarize our politics and remake our political culture from the ground up in a spirit of trust, citizenship, and good-will. By fostering opportunities for elected officials, candidates, and their staffs to participate in Braver Angels programs with each other and with constituents, to develop skills for communicating across difference, and to build constructive relationships across partisan divides, Braver Politics will influence politics at the local, state, and federal level going into the 2022 elections and beyond. Braver Politics invites citizen volunteers, candidates, and elected officials to take part in their efforts. https://braverpolitics.org
The Connecticut Alliance is made up of citizens who have participated in a Braver Angels workshop, who seek to find common ground across political divides, and who volunteer to bring Braver Angels and Braver Politics events to the area. https://ct.braverangels.org
About Connecticut Public:
Connecticut Public is Connecticut’s only state-wide, community-supported public media service. It is a member station of national public media services PBS and NPR, and parent company for three television stations: Connecticut Public Television (CPTV); CPTV Spirit; and PBS Kids 24/7; and Connecticut Public Radio (WNPR). It serves one million people each month through its television, radio and digital platforms. Connecticut Public’s Mission is “to Inform, Educate and Inspire CT” and its VISION is “Connecting our CT Communities.” Doing business as “Connecticut Public,” Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc. is a locally-controlled 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with a $20 million annual budget, funded primarily through community support from individuals, foundations and corporate sponsors. https://www.ctpublic.org
About the Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford:
The Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford was established in 2011. The purpose of the Rell Center is to promote the values exemplified by the life and career of the 87th Governor of Connecticut M. Jodi Rell—specifically the values of integrity in government and public service and responsible participation in public life.
The mission of the Governor M. Jodi Rell Center for Public Service at the University of Hartford is to provide a community and academic forum for the discussion of ethics in government, the importance of civil discourse in politics, citizen involvement in public service and government and seeks to encourage students and others to pursue careers in public service and to assist in providing a clearinghouse for student public service internships. https://www.hartford.edu/rell-center
About the Discussion Participants:
State Rep. Stephen Harding (Republican) is serving in his fourth term representing the 107th Assembly District covering Brookfield and parts of Bethel and Danbury. He is the Ranking Member of the Legislature’s Environment Committee, a member of the Judiciary and the Education committees. https://www.cthousegop.com/harding
State Rep. Cristin McCarthy Vahey (Democrat) is serving her fourth term representing Fairfield's 133rd Assembly District. She is House Chair of the Planning and Development Committee and a member of the Government Administration and Elections and Transportation committees. https://www.housedems.ct.gov/McCarthyVahey
Bill Doherty, co-founder of Braver Angels will be the Moderator of this discussion. He is the creator of the Braver Angels workshop approach and is a Professor and Director of the Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project in the Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. His background combines expertise in family therapy and community engagement. https://braverangels.org/leader-spotlight-bill-doherty