Issue guides are at the center of the National Issues Forum Institute’s efforts to engage concerned citizens around discussing actionable solutions for our nation’s most pressing issues, such as health care affordability and social security reforms. They provide the unbiased facts, research and potential solutions to spark a discussion about solving these types of national challenges. We think of them as study guides for your forums.

Making deliberation easier, more accessible

In the following essay, Rev. Gregg Kaufman, National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI) member and retired Lutheran pastor and professor, reflects on Pope Francis' recent message to the United States Congress in which he empasized the importance of dialogue and engaging all people to help solve problems.

Coinciding with Pope Francis' visit today, the Episcopal Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America bishops are meeting in Washington, DC. The conference theme is Deliberative Discipleship – Deliberative Democracy. Groups are deliberating today using the National Issues Forums (NIF) issue guide, America's Energy Future: How Can We Take Charge?