Lunchtime Study Group: Co-Creating Local Government Session 4: Lifting up the Hood on Local Government

Date: 

Wednesday, October 12, 2022, 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Location: 

WexG02 Seminar Room, Harvard Kennedy School

Join us for the fourth session of the fall semester student study group, Co-Creating Local Government. Cities like Somerville are changing rapidly. To ensure this change meets the needs of the community, residents and local government need to have a shared vision of what they want their community to be. This session will look at the creation of SomerVision 2020 and 2030 as well as Somerville’s zoning overhaul.

This event is at capacity and registration is now closed. 

Required Reading for This Session

  1. Skim through SomerVision2040. City of Somerville. 2019. https://www.somervision2040.com/

About the Study Group 

What does good democracy look like in action at the local level? How do you create trust and credibility and build engagement in a community in an era of lack of trust in government? This fall Joe Curtatone, who was Mayor of Somerville for 18 years, and Kristen Stelljes, former Somervile SomerStat Director and COVID Incident Commander, will lead a five session study group that will seek to answer these questions. Drawing on their experiences in Somerville, Joe and Kristen will encourage lively debate and discussion about the role of local governments and residents. From the perspective of an elected official and a public servant, they will also share stories and examples of how the ideals of good government and public participation can be put into action. To foster active engagement, participation will be capped at 20. Sessions will be held on Wednesdays from 12:00-1:00pm from September 21 to October 19. 

In order to help foster a stronger sense of community amongst study group attendees, we ask that students commit to participating in most if not all of the scheduled study group sessions.

Please note that this-in person study group is open to Harvard ID holders only.

Lunch will be provided. 

Register for Future Sessions