Alumni Hub

Deliberation has been shown to alleviate polarization, moderate opinions, and produce lasting effects on policy views, voting intention, and mutual respect. That’s why Close Up, the Deliberative Democracy Lab at Stanford University, and the Generation Lab are hosting free, ongoing, online deliberations this fall using Stanford’s AI-assisted Online Deliberation Platform. Each event includes 60 minutes of small-group deliberation on current policy issues followed by a 60-minute plenary session with experts and policymakers, giving you a chance to learn from an array of perspectives.  

Fall Deliberation

• Register for the Middle School Deliberation on December 6 (1-3pm EST)

Spring Deliberations

We will be hosting a national deliberation for students during Civic Learning Week (March 10-14, 2025).  More information coming soon!

• Sign up to receive more updates on our High School Deliberation
• Sign up to receive more updates on our University Deliberation

On September 17, the Sine Institute of Policy & Politics at American University released the results of a poll focused on the views of Americans aged 18-34, designed in partnership with Close Up and Future Caucus and based on interviews conducted by the Generation Lab. Head over to the Current Issues Blog for both a summary and the entirety of the poll’s fascinating findings. Does the survey mirror how you feel about our political leaders, your own future, and the future of our country? 

In July 2024, Close Up celebrated 20 years of partnership with Bank of America by bringing approximately 300 Student Leaders from all over the country to Washington, D.C. These remarkable young people enjoyed a Bank of America Student Leader Summit filled with civic learning, discussions about their economic future—even a surprise seminar with A Starting Point Founders/Close Up partners Chris Evans and Mark Kassen! 

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