My dream for my community is that we co-create democratic spaces where diverse voices help revitalize our public life and help shape a common future.

"Through Crossing Borders, an intergenerational group of Somali, Mexican, Peruvian, Hmong, Korean, and U.S. born people will explore how to bring more diverse people into public work and strengthen democratic practices – both at the Jane Addams School for Democracy (JAS) in St. Paul, as well as in towns throughout Minnesota. Among the initiative’s goals are bimonthly team discussions, cross-cultural multimedia projects, and training for others on democratic education and outreach.

“Our approach is grounded in a practical democratic theory – public work,” said Nan. “It views citizens as co-producers of public things, an identity that goes well beyond the legal definition of citizen.”