What is "By the People"

By the People is an innovative civic engagement initiative aimed at fostering discussion, linkages, and community involvement in a nationwide conversation about America 's role in the world and its relevance to local concerns.

By the People is a partnership between PBS' MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, local PBS affiliates, universities, community colleges, and civic groups across the nation. The By the People "Citizen Deliberation" model is based on the Deliberative Opinon Poll® format developed by Professor James Fishkin. This polling design includes (1) the gathering of a representative sample of citizens from participating communities; (2) dissemination of video and print background materials about particular public policy or electoral issues; (3) moderated small group discussions and interaction with experts about those issues; and (4) a survey questionnaire. The Deliberative Opinion Poll seeks to measure public opinion both before and after a consultative process, and serve to increase participation in the deliberative process of democracy.

The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center first co-convened a By the People Citizen Deliberation on January 24, 2004, in partnership with NET Television and the University of Nebraska at Kearney, at the UNK campus, one of nine other sites across the nation chosen to participate in the project. The event brought together close to 100 residents of the Kearney area to discuss foreign policy and international trade, and featured a panel discussion composed of Congressman Doug Bereuter, Congressman Tom Osborne, Chancellor Doug Kristensen (UNK), Professor Patrice McMahon (UNL), Professor Andrew Wedeman (UNL) and Lisa Dominisse (Nebraska Department of Economic Development). Discussion moderators included Bill Kelly (NET Television), faculty members of the University of Nebraska at Kearney Department of Political Science, and Jacque Harms (KNOP-TV North Platte).

In October of 2004, up to 20 communities across the country again participated in "Citizen Deliberations" about national security and the nation's economy, including Lincoln, Nebraska. The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, NET Television, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Leadership Lincoln co-coordinated this effort. The panel discussion featured Professor Paul Kennedy (Yale University), Major General Roger P. Lempke (Adjutant General - Nebraska National Guard), Samira Mahboub (Afghan Renascent Youth Association), Professor Patrice McMahon (UNL), and Don Nelson (State Director for Senator Ben Nelson). Moderators included Fred Knapp (NET Radio), Mike Tobias (NET Television), and UNL faculty and graduate students.

In October of 2005, the Public Policy Center convened another By the People event in Kearney in partnership with NET Television, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney College of Education and Department of Political Science. One hundred and thirty residents of the Kearney-area joined those in fifteen other communities across the nation and discussed the importance of education and health care to our communities and country. Panelists and contributors included Senator Joel Johnson, Senator Vickie McDonald, Senator Ron Raikes, Senator Ed Schrock, Senator Elaine Stuhr, Education Commissioner Doug Christensen, Dean Marilyn Hadley of the UNK College of Education, Jim Griess of the Nebraska State Education Association, and Matt Schnell of the Nebraska Association of School Boards.

In October of 2006, the Policy Center co-convened a small By the People discussion in partnership with NET Television and the University of Nebraska at Kearney entitled Your Water. Twenty-four residents from across the state gathered at NET Television's studio with four members of the legislature's natural resources committee - Senator Gail Kopplin, Senator Chris Langemeier, Senator LeRoy Louden, and Senator Ed Schrock. The focus of the Your Water discussion was on the Interstate Republic River Compact, the Platte River Habitat Recovery Plan and a variety of other water quality and quantity issues affecting the environmental and economic well-being of Nebraska.

In October of 2007, one hundred residents of Omaha gathered at the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus for a By the People discussion about immigration issues in Nebraska. This event was co-sponsored by the Public Policy Center, NET Television, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska at Omaha's Difficult Dialogues Initiative, and University of Nebraska at Omaha Honors Program. Expert panelists included Professor Maria Arbelaez (UNO), Senator Gail Kopplin and immigration attorney Amy Peck (Peck Law Firm).

Footage from By the People events are shown on nationally-broadcast PBS specials and NET television Statewide programs.

Other Public Discussions:
Genetically Modified Foods
The Future of Lincoln