Conference Overview
Democratic political institutions are being called into question and under threat, as we have seen in many parts of the world, including the United States, Western Europe, Brazil, and Hong Kong. The concentration of wealth and economic power in the hands of a few people and businesses is giving rise to the creation of new types of organizations and calls for a new type of economy in which the fruits of economic activity and power are shared more equally and democratically. Even within the social sector itself, nonprofit organizations and philanthropists are facing demands for greater inclusion, democratic governance, and power-sharing.
At Frontiers of Social Innovation 2023: "The Role of Social Innovation in Democracy," we will discuss critical questions such as: How can the social innovation sector support democracy? Should nonprofit organizations engage in political activity more directly? Should nonprofit organizations and foundations operate more democratically? Can big philanthropy be a force for good or is it inherently undemocratic?
Be a part of the conversation as we examine important topics, such as…
- Government: How does the rise of populism globally challenge democratic principles and institutions that underlie a just and equitable society? With democracy on the decline in multiple countries, how can the social sector work together to counter this threat?
- Civil Society: How can nonprofit organizations create a more democratic governance structure? Should democracy be a core principle of social innovation? How can foundations work more democratically with the grantees that they serve?
- Economy: What does a democratic economy look like? What lessons can be learned from experiments and approaches being tested in other countries? How does one create a business that is governed democratically?
- Politics: Are there alternatives to democracy as a political system that are more just and equitable? Can social innovation flourish under systems that are not “democratic”? How can the emerging practice of political innovation drive positive change?
Join us for Frontiers of Social Innovation 2023, "The Role of Social Innovation in Democracy" as we examine these topics and other critical issues.
Sessions
“What is Democracy?”
In its most basic form, a ‘democracy’ is a form of government in which people choose their leaders by voting in fair and free elections. But having a robust democracy encompasses much more than the ballot box. It means a society in which citizens participate on city commissions, volunteer at their local food bank, protest against policies they object to, or assist a neighbor in need. Democracy can also extend into the workplace and into the economy as a whole. Our opening panel will explore these and other topics about what it means to have a true democracy. This kick-off discussion will be led by Johanna Mair, academic editor of Stanford Social Innovation Review and professor of organization, strategy and leadership at the Hertie School. She will be joined by Xavier de Souza Briggs, senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, and author of Democracy as Problem Solving: Civic Capacity in Communities across the Globe, Liz McKenna, assistant professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School, and Claudia Chwalisz, CEO of DemocracyNext.
"Global Threats to Democracy"
America has been celebrated as a democracy since its inception, but many believe that the insurrection of January 6, 2021, rampant election denialism, and other ongoing forms of unrest pose an existential threat to America’s form of government. Similar conditions are challenging other well-established democracies around the world, in countries like India and Brazil. This session will explore questions such as: What are the reasons why democracies are under threat? How are social media and artificial intelligence creating borderless threats to democracy? What can be done to counter these threats to democracy? Join panelists Larry Diamond, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and the Mosbacher Senior Fellow in Global Democracy at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, Joseph Wong, author of From Development to Democracy: The Transformations of Modern Asia, and other panelists to look at global trends and region-specific challenges to democracies around the world, Archon Fung, director of the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the Harvard Kennedy School, and Laura Thornton, senior vice president of democracy at The German Marshall Fund of the U.S.
"On the Frontlines of Democracy: the United States"
Over the course of three days, we’ll take an intimate look at the strategies used by those working daily to champion and preserve democracy around the world. On day one, we look at what one organization is doing to advance democracy in the United States. Join Kendra Davenport Cotton, activist, community organizer, and CEO of The New Georgia Project to learn how she and her team empowered and registered thousands of Black, Latinx and other disenfranchised voters, and how the organization will use its success in Georgia to extend its work to other Southern states.
"Charting the Way to a Multiracial Democracy"
Racist research historically has posed the question, “What is wrong with people?” antiracist research now asks a different question, a better question: “What is wrong with policies?” With the belief that framing research on race and racism around antiracist questions leads to antiracist narratives, effective policy solutions, and impactful advocacy campaigns that cut to the root of racial inequality: racist policy. Join Ibram X. Kendi, bestselling author of How to Be An Antiracist and director of the Center for Antiracist Research at Boston University, and Angela Glover-Blackwell, founder in residence of PolicyLink to explore the path to a truly just, democratic and equitable society.
"Democratizing Work"
When we think about democracy we usually think about it in the political realm. But it can also extend into other parts of society, including the workplace. There are many examples around the world of how this might be done, ranging from worker cooperatives to flat organizations to powerful and democratically-run labor unions. This session will examine the workplace through the lens of democracy and ask how work can be organized so that it is more democratic. Moderated by Barbara Wheeler-Bride, digital editor at Stanford Social Innovation Review, she will be joined by Isabelle Ferreras, professor of sociology, University of Louvain (Belgium), co-creator of the #DemocratizingWork Global Initiative, co-author of Democratize Work: The Case for Reorganizing the Economy, Sarita Gupta, vice president of U.S. Programs at the Ford Foundation, and other panelists for a conversation about reimagining a more democratic workplace, and Jennifer Epps, the executive director of the LIFT Fund.
"What is the Role of 501 (C) (4) Nonprofits in a Democracy"
Some nonprofits are able to achieve their mission as a 501 (C) (3) organization, but others find they also need to establish a 501 (C) (4) to engage in the political process and impact public policies directly. This session will explore why growing numbers of nonprofit organizations believe that creating (C) (4) organizations is essential to achieving their mission and to helping create a democracy that meets the needs of all members of society, not just the needs of the privileged. Moderated by David V. Johnson, deputy editor, print at Stanford Social Innovation Review, he will be joined by Eva Hernandez, managing director of the Sierra Club, Nick Tilsen, president and CEO of NDN Collective, and Nina Ozlu Tunceli, executive director of Americans for the Arts Action Fund, all of whom have 501 (C) (4) organizations, for a discussion about why they were created, what role they play, and what lessons they have for other nonprofits who are interested in doing the same.
"Debate: Is Capitalism Compatible with Democracy?"
With the demise of neo-liberalism many are beginning to question whether capitalism itself is compatible with democracy. Some believe that it is, arguing that with reforms, capitalism can be made more equitable, inclusive and responsive to society’s needs. Others argue that capitalism itself is inherently undemocratic and only socialism can be the foundation for an equitable, inclusive, and democratic society. This session will feature a debate about whether capitalism can be reformed or if it needs to be replaced. Join Bhaskar Sunkara, author of The Socialist Manifesto, founding editor of Jacobin, and former vice-chair of Democratic Socialists of America, and Matthew Bishop, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, author of Philanthrocapitalism, and former global business editor of The Economist, as they advocate for dueling economic philosophies. Eric Nee, editor in chief of Stanford Social Innovation Review, will moderate what is sure to be an inspiring and spirited discussion.
"The Power of Political Innovation"
For decades, civil society organizations have attended to social problems while refraining from engaging in politics. But that is beginning to change. A new field of practice is emerging – political innovation – that seeks to reinvigorate democracy by emancipating social innovation from this stricture. These new organizations have risen around the world. This session will explore what these organizations have in common and the possibilities that their work holds for helping revitalize democracy. This session will be led by Johanna Mair, academic editor of Stanford Social Innovation Review and professor of organization, strategy and leadership at the Hertie School. She will be joined by Yordanos Eyoel, founder and CEO of Keseb, Caroline Weimann, founder of JoinPolitics, Christiana Bukalo, co-founder of Statefree, and Anthony Ubani, pioneer executive director of #FixPolitics Initiative.
"On the Frontlines of Democracy: Brazil"
Everyone knows that Brazil’s democracy – the largest democracy in Latin America – is in crisis. Lack of political participation and civic engagement are part of the problem. Join Gabriel Marmentini, executive director of Politize! Brazil, a non-partisan civil society organization that works to educate Brazilian men and women about democracy and the power of the political process.
"The Role of Philanthropy in Democracy"
Democracy is under siege around the world, and many philanthropists are beginning to believe they can no longer sit on the sideline and watch. But they don’t know what role philanthropy can and should play in protecting and promoting democratic institutions and the vibrant civil society that underlies a healthy democracy. This session will explore what some philanthropists and foundations have been doing to preserve democracy, and what other steps they might take. Join Lukas Haynes, founder of Leveraged Philanthropy, and former CEO of the David Rockefeller Fund, and Bryan Maygers, deputy editor, digital of Stanford Social Innovation Review, to explore efforts philanthropists have been taking to preserve and rebuild a vibrant democratic society and its institutions.
"Democratizing Philanthropy"
Philanthropy, particularly as practiced by private foundations and wealthy individuals, is increasingly under attack as being undemocratic. New approaches are being developed, such as trust-based philanthropy, but do they go far enough in remedying the underlying problem? This session will explore that question and others, such as: Can philanthropy become more democratic? Can it be more responsive to the people, organizations, and communities it seeks to serve? If so, how? Join Vu Le, one of philanthropy’s most outspoken critics, to learn how philanthropy falls short and what can be done to make it more equitable, inclusive, and responsive. Le is the author of the blog NonprofitAF, and the former executive director of RVC, a Seattle nonprofit that works to promote social justice by supporting leaders, organizations, and communities of color. Le will be joined in conversation with Satonya Fair, the president and CEO of PEAK Grantmaking, a national nonprofit organization whose vibrant community of grants professionals are working to transform the sector by operationalizing equitable grantmaking practices.
"Debate: Is Big Philanthropy Undemocratic?"
Is big philanthropy inherently undemocratic, or does it help create a vibrant civil society? This debate has been going on since the first private foundations were created by the likes of Rockefeller and Carnegie more than 100 years ago. But the debate has become more heated and important in recent years as wealth inequality has grown and the power that billionaires can wield over society through their philanthropy has increased. This session will explore whether large private foundations and wealthy philanthropists are benefiting society and helping strengthen our democracy or if they are instead serving their private interests and helping create a plutocracy. Rob Reich, professor of political science and co-director of the Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at Stanford University, will argue that big philanthropy undermines democracy. Larry Kramer, president, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation will argue that big philanthropy plays an important role in helping fund nonprofit organizations that are a vital part of a vibrant civil society, the foundation of democracy. Eric Nee, editor in chief of Stanford Social Innovation Review, will moderate what is sure to be an inspiring and spirited discussion.
"The Importance of Organizing Young People"
Young people are the future, yet many of them around the world have lost faith in society and in its institutions. They don’t believe that democracy is delivering on its promises. This is particularly true among young people from disadvantaged communities and communities of color. Yet there are civil society organizations that are tackling this problem and working with young people to engage them more fully in the democratic process. This session will explore the importance of that work, how those organizations operate, and the lessons they have learned. This session will be led by Yasmeen Shaheen-McConnell, Senior Advisor for Strategic Partnerships of AmeriCorps. She will be joined by Hemakshi Meghani, co-founder of the Indian School of Democracy, Grace Williams, founder and director of Citizen Tasmania, and Shawon Jackson, founder and CEO of Vocal Justice for a lively discussion about the importance of engaging with and organizing young people to create social change.
"On the Frontlines of Democracy: Iran"
Widespread and persistent unrest – and perhaps the strongest challenge to the Islamic Republic since the 1979 Revolution – has followed the September 2022 death in custody of a young Iranian Kurdish woman, Mahsa Jina Amini, who was detained when she failed to adhere to the strict Islamic dress code for females. Emmy-nominated journalist Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani interviews two Iranian-American women working to amplify the voice of Iranians in their fight for democracy and human rights. Layla Yarjani, a humanitarian and creative entrepreneur, and founder of #CookforIran, and Sepideh Moafi, an actress and singer, a former refugee and an ambassador with the International Rescue Committee.
"Building a Vibrant Civil Society"
The midterm elections made clear that the vast majority of Americans reject extremist views and are tired of the divisive state of our nation. Yet somewhere along the way we have lost sight of our common values and purpose. This session will be a call-to-action to community-based civic and nonprofit organizations to deepen and expand bridge building and strengthen our democracy. It starts in our own backyards through wide-ranging initiatives that bring together unexpected people, partners, and community groups from different political parties, faiths, and racial and ethnic identities to serve the common good. Join Jonathan Reckford, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, Suzanne McCormick, president and CEO of YMCA of the USA, Frederick J. Riley, Executive Director of Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute, and Jenan Mohajir, senior director of special projects at Interfaith America will discuss the impact that nonprofit organizations can have in engaging citizens and building bridges to help reunite communities.
"The Role of Social Innovation in a Healthy Democracy"
Social innovation is increasingly seen to have an important role in creating healthy democratic systems. While much of the conversation around democracy focuses on “electocracy” – creating the conditions in which people can cast ballots, this is only a small part of the democratic equation. A much larger part is about creating the conditions where all people can have a voice, actively participate in their communities, and thrive: eliminating extreme poverty, curbing corruption, and supporting the building of effective and equitable legal structures. This is the work of social innovators. Join Cheryl Dorsey, president of Echoing Green, Gillian Caldwell, chief climate officer and deputy assistant administrator at US Agency for International Development (USAID), and Rajiv Vinnakota, president of Institute for Citizens and Scholars to explore the role that social innovation can play in creating a vibrant democracy.