Civic Health of Wisconsin and Beyond

media release: On Tuesday, April 16, the UW-Madison Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies will host its CommUnity Conference.  This event is focused on the theme of "Civic Health of Wisconsin and Beyond" and will be a Wisconsin-wide summit focused on Civic Health.  This convening is part of the Civic Health of Wisconsin Initiative, a nonpartisan effort to promote civic health across Wisconsin.

“Civic health” is a term which refers to the degree to which citizens participate in and are connected in their communities, from local and state governance to interactions with neighbors and groups. Civic health also relates to the overall well-being of neighborhoods, communities, states, and the nation, and the way we are able to come together to solve problems.  The importance of strong civic health has never been more notable, yet there has been a trend away from democratic structures and processes globally; volunteerism in the U.S. has been on the decline; and polarization, isolation, and loneliness in our communities are on the uptick – to name just a few concerning trends.

The CommUnity Conference will feature a sneak preview of the Second Civic Health of Wisconsin Report, a Keynote Session featuring a range of nonpartisan national organizations implementing programming in Wisconsin, and a range of breakout sessions on various civic health subthemes.  This convening will be a timely and meaningful opportunity for any Wisconsinites concerned with or contributing to civic health to connect and recommit to helping build stronger communities and a more civically healthy Wisconsin.  All are welcome, until registration is full!

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies, or the “CommNS”, is a university-based center for community-engaged teaching, research, and outreach focused on advancing the work of the civic and nonprofit sector.