Cortico

Today’s the day: Youth Speak for Themselves conversation portal is LIVE! Today, we celebrate a big step in youth-led change with the launch of this interactive portal. Absenteeism is a significant problem, but efforts to solve the issue often leave out the group it most impacts: young people. Now, thanks to Newark Opportunity Youth Network, that story is changing. Created by and for Newark’s youth, this portal brings their voices and insights on absenteeism and educational change directly to school leaders, policymakers, and YOU. Why are kids missing school? What can schools and communities do to help? We encourage everyone to explore their stories through the portal—an online platform designed to showcase the real voices and rich insights from a collection of recorded small-group conversations with Newark’s young people. Listen now and become part of the movement towards positive change. Start exploring: https://lnkd.in/e-8pEv6H

Youth Speak for Themselves Key Insight # 3: Life Outside the Classroom Youth often reported that external factors hindered their ability to focus or attend school. Commonly mentioned issues included lacking support systems, the necessity to work, parenting responsibilities, family conflicts, and street distractions. They also described how traumatic experiences like the loss of loved ones or exposure to violence impacted their school concentration. Listen to a young person describe their experiences with life outside the classroom with the audio highlight below. Eager to hear more? Explore Newark Opportunity Youth Network's portal to listen to more experiences about the need to address external factors impacting Newark youth everyday. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e-8pEv6H #ChronicAbsenteeism #YouthVoice

Robert Putnam revisits his seminal work on social bonds in 'Bowling Alone,' reflecting on how crucial genuine connections are for a healthy democracy. His thoughts echo the challenges we explore at Cortico: How can deep listening and dialogue bridge societal divides? A must-read for those interested in community and connection!

Youth Speak for Themselves Key Insight #2: Mental Health Access to mental health support is essential for young people attending school. Young people highlighted the need for emotional support at school, including regular wellness check-ins. They advocated for integrating social and emotional learning into the curriculum and daily practices, and called for more counselors and social workers who reflect the student body and understand their experiences. Hear one student’s experience with mental health and school with the audio highlight below. 🔗 To listen to more experiences about the need for mental health support in schools, head to the portal now! https://lnkd.in/e-8pEv6H #ChronicAbsenteeism #YouthVoices

Newark Opportunity Youth Network's youth conversation campaign revealed many key insights into #ChronicAbsenteeism and disconnection from school. Let’s take a look at one of those key insights: Sense of Belonging Young people acknowledged that feeling connected to their school community, specifically feeling a sense of belonging while at school, is a key determinant of their attendance. Their sense of belonging in school is closely linked to how well they feel understood by teachers, staff, and peers. Often feeling unheard, especially during disciplinary interactions, racial and ethnic tensions further alienate them from their school communities. Take a listen to the audio highlight below where a young person discusses the disconnect with school policies and feeling misunderstood by teachers. 🔗 To explore this insight in depth and hear many more voices, head to the conversation portal now: https://lnkd.in/e-8pEv6H

THE NEWS IS OUT! Meet the first cohort of Global Youth Advocates, powered by JA Worldwide, Cortico, and the MIT Center for Constructive Communication. These 12 brilliant young minds from 11 countries and all six JA regions will represent the global alumni community over the next year: • Annika Feliz Razon | 🇵🇭 Philippines, JA Philippines, Inc. • Chrysi Karageorgiou | 🇬🇷 Greece / Spain, JA Greece Junior Achievement Greece • David Lawrence Ojok | 🇹🇿Tanzania / 🇺🇬 Uganda, JA Uganda • Federica Pereira Agosto | 🇺🇾 Uruguay, DESEM Junior Achievement • Joe Rizkallah | 🇱🇧 Lebanon, INJAZ Lebanon • Kurien Thomas | 🇺🇸 USA, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington • Maryam Fady Zoweil | 🇺🇸 USA, Junior Achievement of Central Texas • Myah Mahalia Elliott | 🇨🇦 Canada, JA Canada • Nada Zamel | 🇹🇳 Tunisia, INJAZ Tunisia • Portia Adzo Dzokoto | 🇬🇭 Ghana / 🇷🇼 Rwanda, JA Ghana • Tobías Ezequiel Iglesias | 🇦🇷 Argentina, Junior Achievement Argentina • Xenia Heise | 🇩🇪 Germany, IW JUNIOR/ JA Germany (Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft JUNIOR gGmbH) Each week we will introduce two of them in the Instagram series JA Live. Catch the first episode TODAY at 9:45amEDT/3:45pmCEST on our Instragram (find us at @jaworldwide). –with Junior Achievement Africa, Junior Achievement Americas, JA Asia Pacific, JA Europe, INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA, and Junior Achievement USA

Fascinating and crucial conversation diving into the complexities of chronic absenteeism 👀 Have you ever wondered about the youth perspective on this issue? Stay tuned! Very soon, we'll be sharing powerful, youth voices and insights from Newark Opportunity Youth Network that shed new light on chronic absenteeism and disconnection from school. #YouthVoices #ChronicAbsenteeism

Check out how Cortico’s co-founder, Deb Roy, is transforming online discourse to foster healthier public dialogue. From his personal journey to pioneering work at MIT Center for Constructive Communication, learn about his mission to amplify underheard voices and bridge divides. Don't miss this profile by Project Liberty!

Last week Cortico’s VP of Programs and Partnerships, Alex Kelly Berman, spoke at the prestigious LERA conference. Alex joined experts from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service on a panel discussing the use of AI and Cortico's "sensemaking" process in workplace conflict resolution and decision-making. We're excited about the opportunities to make real differences in how workplaces handle conflicts and decisions using our methods and technology! #LERA #Triad2024

⭐ Our quarterly newsletter is here! From new connections at our first-ever partner gathering and the MIT CCC Symposium, to new features in our sensemaking process, we're making strides in community engagement and innovation. Discover how our partners are tackling absenteeism in Newark, empowering youth in Maine, and enhancing democracy in New Hampshire. 👉 Read the full newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/d8zMi-Fx