I’ve probably attended more events held by the Great Expectations project than anyone other than the folks from the Inquirer and University of Pennsylvania’s Project on Civic Engagement who have been running it. I started by attending about 25 of the early events at which groups of citizens could come together to discuss their hopes and fears for the city and to put forward ideas to move the city forward. I’ve gone to other events since and recently took part in the forum for citizen leaders organized by the project. (I’ve blogged about my take on the new deal citizen leaders would like to create between the city and its neighborhoods, which is to create a relationship of no deals.)
I’ve learned a great deal along the way. Many of the ideas I put forward during my campaign for city council and on my blog germinated or were shaped by Great Expectations events. And more important than that, what I’ve learned is that my optimism about this city has been reinforced by the energy, enthusiasm and dedication I’ve seen so many of my fellow Philadelphians show at this meeting.
The citizen’s agenda which is an outgrowth of the project has now been released. Read and learn from it. And respond to it, as will from time to time on my blog. It is full of mostly good ideas and, if not thing else, is a great conversation starter. And come to the citizen’s convention on Saturday, December 2 at noon at the Convention Center to engage in the first responsibility of citizens—to talk about our common life— and to be inspired to get to work on our second responsibility—to make our dreams reality.