At the Institute, we echo Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller’s belief that “every citizen has the duty to be informed, to be thoughtfully concerned, and to participate in the search for solutions.” With this guiding principle, we are proud to introduce Civic Arkansas.
We have begun scheduling local listening sessions as part of this program’s next phase. Upcoming locations include:
- Pulaski County: September 18 at the University of Arkansas — Pulaski Technical College’s CHARTS Building
- This listening session has three time options beginning at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 12:15 p.m.
- 3000 West Scenic Drive in North Little Rock, AR 72118
- Pulaski County: September 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library
- 1200 President Clinton Ave. in Little Rock, AR 72201
- Van Buren County: COMPLETED
- Clark County: COMPLETED
- Faulkner County: COMPLETED
- White County: COMPLETED
- Crittenden County: COMPLETED
- St. Francis County: COMPLETED
- Craighead County: COMPLETED
- Garland County: COMPLETED
- Sebastian County: COMPLETED
- Benton County: COMPLETED
Virtual Book Club: August 5 & 12, 2024
Presented by the Clinton School of Public ServiceWe invite you to participate in an enriching two-session discussion series on How Democracies Die by Harvard University political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. These sessions are hosted by graduate students from the Clinton School of Public Service.
The first session will provide an overview of key learning points, surprising revelations, and significant takeaways from the book. The second session will delve deeper into its themes, exploring their implications for our understanding and appreciation of democracy.
By registering online, hosts will reach out to you with confirmation information and a link to the virtual meeting for the corresponding dates. Thank you for your interest and participation!
What is Civic Arkansas?
Civic Arkansas is the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute’s initiative to improve Arkansas’s civic health by leveraging a network of civic organizations across the state and empowering communities to practice collaborative problem-solving at the local level.
Defining “Civic Health”
The National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) defines civic health as the ability of communities to organize and solve public problems. The US Department of Health and Human Services includes “civic health” or civic participation as a component of their Healthy People 2030 goals, linking greater civic involvement to improved self-reported health.
Understanding the Arkansas Civic Health Index Report
Developed in collaboration with the NCoC, the Arkansas Civic Health Index Report comprehensively evaluates civic engagement in our state. This report, funded by Engage Arkansas and executed by the Clinton School of Public Service, assesses various aspects of civic participation, including voting, volunteerism, community involvement, and charitable giving.
Our Findings and Their Implications
The report highlights that Arkansas can enhance its participation in community activities such as voting, volunteering, collaborating, and donating to causes. While Arkansas currently ranks low in these areas compared to other states, the report also emphasizes our strengths. These strengths include neighborliness, charitable giving, community membership, and the time spent with family and friends.
The mission of this new program is to leverage these strengths and address identified weaknesses, aiming to foster a more civically engaged Arkansas.
Our Plan of Action
Following the report’s advice, we want to encourage civil conversations about important topics, and we have the perfect process to do so — the Rockefeller Ethic. We invite you to join us in making Arkansas a state known for its robust civic engagement.
Please submit the form below to be notified of opportunities to participate in listening sessions, dialogues, or future in-person programming at the Institute.
"*" indicates required fields
Contact Person
