Aspen Policy Academy

Getting Through To Governments

By Andrew Lewis, with support from Gloria Molina-Estolano, Betsy Cooper, and the Aspen Policy Academy staff

Every member of the public can play a role in the democratic process. Whether it’s by speaking up about problems, advocating for policymakers to make positive change, or contributing to solutions themselves, there are multiple avenues to have an impact on the decisions governments make.

For many, taking those first steps to engage policymakers in their communities is an opaque process. In Getting Through To Governments: A Civic Engagement Guide To Action, the Aspen Policy Academy offers a guide for bridging that gap.

This report is meant as a guide for anyone — regardless of professional background or personal experience — to begin the process of making sure their government officials not only know the concerns they’re facing day to day, but are also equipped with solutions that are informed by the people most impacted by them.

You can read the full report here or the executive summary below. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about the report or its recommendations, contact us.