Our Voices Summit

Real Talk. Real Plans. Real Change.

Thursday, August 14–Saturday, August 16, 2025
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Our Voices Summit is a dynamic and collaborative event designed to foster meaningful conversations among young people aged 14–24 and adult allies from diverse regions and political ideologies. For this inaugural summit, applications from young people in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. will be prioritized. By engaging participants in deliberative dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, the Summit, designed in collaboration with our partners Close Up, and Cortico, aims to seek common ground, inspire actionable solutions for complex community issues, and decrease affective polarization.

Our Voices isn’t just about what you will learn in Philadelphia, it’s about what you do next. You’ll receive tools, training, and support to lead conversations and take actions that can drive change in your community.

C&S will cover the cost of accommodation and meals for Summit participants. Travel will be reimbursed.

Important Dates:

June 20: Application Closes
July 3: Accepted Attendees Notified
July 10: Attendee Registration Form Completed
July 28: Conversation Project—Submit Pre-Summit Conversation
August 14-16: Our Voices Summit in Philadelphia, PA
October 20: Conversation Project—Submit Post-Summit Conversation and Reflection

Summit Conversation Projects

Before the summit, you will identify an issue and have a conversation with at least one peer and an older adult (24 +) related to one of the summit themes listed below. We will provide instructions and a guide to get you started. You’ll record the conversation and share it with us before the summit.

During the summit, you will learn how the Cortico platform can be used to reveal trends, amplify under-heard voices, and deepen your understanding about the topic. You’ll see how insights from your conversation compare with those of your peers. You will also engage in workshops to discuss the topics and learn and practice facilitation skills. Finally, you’ll work with peers, adult allies, and expert facilitators to create a customized conversation guide for your community.

After the summit, you will host a larger intergenerational conversation with at least 6-8 community members—including adult allies. As was the case before the summit, you will record and share this conversation with us for analysis and identifying themes from across different communities. You will then use the shared data to inform advocacy and action steps for your community.

Our Voices Summit Themes

We’ve chosen three broad themes affecting communities in differing ways: civil liberties, economic opportunity, and energy & environment. You’ll choose a theme to explore before, during, and after the summit. But you’ll also have the chance to learn more about the other topics as well!

Below are some examples of specific conversation topics within each theme. You know best the issue that impacts your community directly, and can determine the broader theme.

• Civil Liberties | Free press, freedom of speech, the right to privacy, freedom of assembly, equal treatment under the law, due process
• Economic Opportunity | Unemployment, cost of living, affordable housing, education access, income equality
• Energy & Environment | Air/water pollution, water shortages, food waste, climate change

During the summit, you’ll engage in discussions around these themes, learn from diverse perspectives, develop a customized conversation guide and an action plan for use in your community.

Selection Information

We are seeking participants with a range of views and perspectives who are eager to collaborate with peers and adult allies to lead in their communities. Summit participants will represent urban, rural, and suburban communities from across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Priority will be given to applicants from these states however, we welcome anyone between the ages of 14-24 to apply.

Because space is limited, individuals interested in attending the summit must complete an application by June 20.

An update on applications will be sent by July 3, 2025.

Intergenerational conversations for community impact.

Apply for the August Summit here.

Tentative Schedule

August 14

3:00pm: Arrivals
4:00 pm: Kickoff
6:00 pm: Dinner
7:00 pm: Post-dinner Session

August 15

8:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am–12:00 pm: Morning Sessions
12:00–1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00– 6:00 pm: Afternoon Sessions
6:30– 8:00 pm: Dinner
8:00 pm: Team Building

August 16
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:00 am–11:00 am: Morning Sessions
12:00–1:00 pm: Lunch
1:00 pm: Departures