PLA Professional Workshop on Constructive Political Engagement and Civic Discourse
The Carter School Political Leadership Academy equips fellows with meaningful conflict analysis and resolution ideas, skills, and experience to pursue more effective and peaceful political relationships, processes, and governance.
Are you interested in…
Understanding and Engaging in American politics
Strengthening effective communication and active listening skills?
Developing tools to engage constructively with those who hold different political and social perspectives?
Contributing to de-polarizing how we engage with different viewpoints?
Reimagining how to revive civil discourse and civic engagement?
Gaining an understanding of diverse political perspectives?
Reviving the role of public service?
Learning how to apply conflict resolution skills to your personal and professional life?
The PLA Workshop is a learning experience that
Focuses on skills and tools necessary for constructive political and social engagement and communication.
Fosters engaging, stimulating dialogue with leaders, legislators, public servants, and local peacebuilders.
Enables access to a diverse, dynamic, connected network at your fingertips.
Brings together a diverse learning community in which we listen and learn from each other based on a curriculum that emphasizes , listening skills, conflict analysis tools, and problem solving and leadership techniques from a diverse set of professional and personal backgrounds.
The PLA Constructive Political Engagement Workshop at a Glance
A 9-week hybrid workshop that combines knowledge, ideas, tools, skills and strategies with practical application and practice via engaging activities, exercises, cases and dialogue.
A focus that stresses constructive engagement with those who have different perspectives, aspirations and fears from ourselves.
A learning environment that draws from expertise and insights provided by political leaders, public servants, community leaders, and scholars.
Receive a Certificate of Completion from George Mason University’s Carter School that recognizes completion of the skills-based workshop..
Our Fellows’ Testimonials
The PLA is for anyone who is looking to expand their horizons and meet community leaders who want to grow. The members of my cohort were very impressive, made a commitment to learn and, stepped up to share their hearts and experiences. I grew as a person and was inspired to carry on!
The PLA offered an invaluable opportunity to collaborate with others, analyze conflict resolution barriers and consider various viewpoints. I know this experience will assist me in both my professional and political endeavors.
My experience with PLA has been wonderful and challenging. Actively listening to alternative opinions of an issue helped me learn to think outside my cultural box and scrutinize my own biases.