Opportunities for Further Involvement

Health Policy Study Group (HPSG): Message from Leana Wen
At the first Progressive Generation Conference, we discussed the idea of starting a Health Policy Strategy Group (HPSG). This group would consist of 10-20 individuals who wish to discuss health care policy with each other and engage the communities around us to come up with tangible solutions to domestic health problems. Participating in the group ranges from being on an email list on which we post interesting articles and talk about new ideas, to attending bi-monthly meetings in a central location (i.e. London) to discuss topical issues in healthcare reform and strategize on a platform for change. The HPSG would culminate in an interdisciplinary annual meeting of health policy experts recruited from our respective universities to discuss research and respond to topics; this meeting would specifically be coordinated with the Progressive Generation.

If you are interested in being part of the HPSG, please contact Leana Wen at leana.wen@merton.ox.ac.uk. We look forward to having you as part of this exciting new group of progressive future leaders! A first meeting is planned for the summer; let us know if you are around London in early August.

Join the 2009 Progressive Generation Conference Executive Committee: Message from Kate Brandt
We would like to invite all members to become a part of next year's executive committee. If you are interested in working on the planning and organizing of next year's conference, please email Kate Brandt at brandt.kate@gmail.com. There will be opportunities to spearhead fundraising, speaker recruitment, and event planning.

Recap of First Annual Conference

The Progressive Generation

Statement of Purpose

Every year hundreds of Americans flock to the United Kingdom to pursue graduate study. While students choose to do so for a variety of reasons, many view their time in the UK as a chance to gain a wider perspective on the United States, the world, and their ability to effect change. We hope to take advantage of this formative time by hosting an annual conference that will bring together politically engaged and progressive American scholars. As a group, we aim to reflect on the main policy challenges that we will face in our lifetimes and to consider how our time abroad will impact our future as progressive leaders.

First Annual Conference
May 24, 2008
University of Cambridge

Matthew Taylor Addresses the Scholars

The day began with a keynote address by Matthew Taylor, a leading light of the UK progressive movement. Mr. Taylor identified two main issues with which the Progressive Generation must grapple in the years to come. First, Progressives must support individual development not only by providing basic services such as healthcare and education, but also by fostering personal resilience and empathy. Second, Progressives must encourage collaborative efforts to solve problems. As Mr. Taylor so aptly stated: participation is optimistic, spectatorship is pessimistic. The speaker concluded with a discussion of what he referred to as the “New Collectivism.” This model is founded upon flat, spontaneous organizations that foster personal growth through participation. For Taylor, the internet is a key aspect of this new form of collaboration, particularly the use of cyberspace to bridge social capital.

The Scholars Discuss Progressive Policy and Values

Following Mr. Taylor’s address, the conference broke into small group discussions. Each two-hour discussion group focused on one of three important topics: education, climate/energy, and healthcare policy. We then came together as a large group to identify the major policy issues in all three areas. This discussion was followed by a look at what the group found to be the key values and goals that inform the Progressive policy agenda.

In the area of education policy, the group addressed ways to recruit and retain qualified teachers and looked at whether merit pay could help to create the best possible cadre of instructors. Further, the problem of inequality and disadvantage was analyzed in light of the obligation of schools to help develop good citizens.

The healthcare discussion focused on the issues of access, cost, and quality of care. The group also examined the power of both the framing of the health care debate and the influence of special interests. Universal versus state-led solutions were also considered.

The groups looking at climate change addressed the bottom-up versus top-down model of climate policy, as well as the value of tax incentives. The discussion also turned to the broader issues of the role of the citizen and collective responsibility. The role of U.S. leadership and the impact of international tensions between the developing and developed world were also considered.

Following these policy discussions, the scholars identified four major values of the Progressive Generation: maintaining optimism, driving change, reframing perceptions, and interconnecting issues.

The day concluded with two final speeches from young progressive leaders working in the United States, Daniel Kilduff, Washington D.C. Chair for the New Leadership Council and Shaunna Thomas, program director for Young People For. Dan and Shaunna spoke to the group about the work of their organizations, especially leadership training and grassroots organizing. They both invited scholars to join their networks when they return to the U.S.

What’s Next

Thanks to the overwhelming enthusiasm of this year’s attendees, we plan to work towards making the conference an annual event. Our website will be launched soon, and we look forward to keeping you informed of our plans. In the meantime, please stay in touch with us via email at theprogressivegeneration@gmail.com.

May 21 email update

Dear All,

Here is the final update email for our conference on Saturday. Things are looking great and we're thrilled that such an exciting group will be coming together for the event. Please take a few minutes to read this email carefully.

1. Location of conference

Included on this link is most of the information that you could want on how to get to St. Catherine's College:

http://www.caths.cam.ac.uk/help/maps/index.html

Once you get to the College go through the Porter's Lodge into the main court. The Ramsden room is in the back left hand corner. The room will be on your left. If you have any trouble finding it the Porter can direct you.

2. Schedule:

12:00 - 12:10: Check-in

12:10 - 1:00: Introduction

1:00 - 2:00: First discussion

2:00 - 2:30: Break with coffee, tea, and biscuits

2:30 - 3:30: Second discussion

3:30 - 4:00: Collectively wrap-up policy thoughts

4:00 - 4:30: Second break

4:30 - 5:15: Dan Kilduff and Shaunna Thomas (plus Q & A)

5:15 - 6:00: Keynote address - Matthew Taylor (plus Q & A)

7:00: Dinner at Bombay Indian Restaurant

8:30: Slug and Lettuce (pub)

A few notes regarding the schedule:

a. Please arrive having already eaten lunch.

b. We can't bring food into the conference space, but there is a sandwich shop right next door where we can go between discussions.

c. Dinner is a set menu for ten pounds. We're subsidizing half of the dinner, but please bring exactly five pounds.

d. Unfortunately, Cassandra Butts, one of the speakers who was planning to come, will not be able to join us. She is sad to miss it but was called by the Obama campaign at the last minute to be in Chicago this weekend.

3. Dress code = business casual

4. Travel reimbursements

We have a limited amount of money set aside for travel reimbursements. If you need to be reimbursed let us know asap and definitely before Friday. If you let us know that you need to be reimbursed we will give you ten pounds upon you giving us your bus or train receipt when you check in at the beginning of the day.

5. Our cell phone numbers if you're having trouble finding us. Rob: 07942454176; Tyler: 07912652923; Kate: 07882219744

6. Discussion groups

Follow this link to find out what two discussions you're going to be involved with:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pkd2LLc26DQjEh4tSq-iuQw

7. Readings

Depending on what two groups you're in, please arrive at the conference on Saturday having read the appropriate articles:

Education

Definitely read the following articles:

Some info regarding the national mood for education reform (should be taken with a grain of salt - note source):

http://www.hoover.org/publications/ednext/9223826.html

How do we make/attract/retain great teachers:

http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1713174,00.html

Voice of a teacher's union:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/18/AR2008041802325.html

Is teacher pay the answer? Is this particular experiment a productive part of the project to change the status of the teaching profession?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/nyregion/07charter.html?hp

Optional reading:

Framing the debate around the cognitive abilities that will be required in the coming generations:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/02/opinion/02brooks.html?ref=opinion

The "we're screwed" perspective:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/22/opinion/22herbert.html?ref=opinion

What a conservative is thinking about education reform:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/15/opinion/15brooks.html?ref=opinion

Energy Security and Climate Change

Please read the following three articles (one PDF attached and two linked to websites). At the very bottom, a further article is listed, but it is purely optional.

Arguing that we already possess the technology and know-how to solve the carbon and climate problem for the next 50 years:

S. Pacala, et al, "Stabilization Wedges: Solving the Climate Problem for the Next 50 Years with Current Technologies," Science

[Attached PDF]

Arguing why progressives should shift the emphasis from regulation to investment in their political and policy approach:

Peter Teague and Jeff Navin, "Global Warming in an Age of Energy Anxiety," The American Prospect

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=global_warming_in_an_age_of_energy_anxiety

Arguing that tradable emissions permits are a popular, but inferior way, to tackle global warming:

"Doffing the Cap," The Economist

http://www.economist.com/finance/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9337630

Optional article:

Asking: Will we rewire the world with clean energy -- or descend into political chaos, social disruption, and climate hell? And will Washington get with the program?

Ross Gelbspan, "Two Paths for the Planet," The American Prospect

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=two_paths_for_the_planet

Healthcare

Definitely read the following articles:

A comparison of the democrat's plans:

http://www.slate.com/id/2178896/

A positive view of McCain's healthcare plan:

http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/10/news/economy/tully_healthcare.fortune/

A critique of McCains healthcare plan:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/04/opinion/04krugman.html

A non-election healthcare overview that supports a single payer system:

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/18802

Optional reading:

The positions of the Democratic presidential candidates: attached

Dartmouth Atlas of Healthcare which looks at variations in healthcare costs across the US:

http://www.dartmouthatlas.org/atlases/2008_Atlas_Exec_Summ.pdf

A look at state led universal healthcare: attached

Looking forward to meeting you all on Saturday!

May 13 email update

In case you missed it, here's the email update that we sent out recently.
----

Dear Scholars,

We're excited to have you participate in The Progressive Generation conference on Saturday May, 24 at Cambridge. The response so far has been terrific. We're predicting that there will be about 35 engaged, committed, and progressive scholars in attendance. A really remarkable group.

Additionally, we've lined up some incredible speakers for the event. Shaunna Thomas, the program director for Young People For, will be speaking with us about the ways that we can pursue progressive change once we're back in the states. She will be joined by Matthew Taylor, who was appointed by Tony Blair to head the Number 10 Downing Street Policy Unit for a number of years and who has worked to craft the progressive agenda in Britain at the Institute for Public Policy Research. Additionally, and probably most exciting for those who are following the current presidential race, we're going to have Cassandra Butts flying over from the states to be with us. She is a leading voice at the Center for American Progress and one of Barack Obama's top domestic policy advisors. We are privileged to have thought leaders of such a high caliber coming to speak with us.

The schedule for the day:
- Noon: Conference begins at the Ramsden room at St. Catherine's College. Introductory speeches. [This means that Oxford people will probably want to catch the 8:05 am National Express bus.]
- 1 to 4 pm: Breakout discussions on substantive issues. Lunch.
- 4 to 6:30: Talks from speakers. Question and answer sessions.
- 7:30: Dinner at nearby Indian restaurant
- 9 pm: Head to The Slug and Lettuce, a local pub.

Please read the below carefully and let us know your responses by Friday, May 16 at the latest:
1. One of main aims of the conference is to give scholars the chance to have substantive discussions on important issues that will face our generation. We've chosen three topics: education reform, energy security, and healthcare. We'll be looking at each topic mainly, though not exclusively, from a U.S. perspective. Each attendee will take part in discussions on two of the three issues. Please email us your preferences in order of desired group participation (for example: 1 - healthcare, 2 - education reform, 3 - energy security). We will do our best to honor your preferred groups.

In the days before the conference we will be sending out some brief readings so that everyone is on the same page. Please let us know if you are interested in being a co-facilitator for one of these discussions or if you have any recommendations of great articles.

2. We can offer financial aid for travel to the conference on a case by case basis. If it is a financial burden for you to reach the conference please write an email to theprogressivegeneration@gmail.com explaining your situation and the desired amount of financial support.

3. We have booked several college rooms for the night of the 24th and have amassed a list of Cambridge attendees that are willing to offer a place on their floor. If you want to spend the night on the 24th please let us know and we will arrange accommodation for you. In general, rooms will be about 20 pounds. Floors are free.

All the best,
Kate, Tyler, and Rob

Still accepting applications for conference - but act fast!

The progressive leadership conference in Cambridge is less than three weeks away (May 24)! We've already heard back from lots of smart, talented, progressive Americans who are thrilled to meet likeminded young people, to share their passions for positive change, and to learn from each other.

If you want to be a part of this exciting day, but you haven't yet registered with us, we're still accepting attendees. But act fast, because we only have a limited number of spaces left!

The invitation

Statement of Purpose