Nexus studies the best of national thinking and information about other regions' responses to the issues of trust and civic engagement in an effort to shape a comprehensive action agenda for Western Pennsylvania.

Inspired in part by The Saguaro Seminar at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, we are taking the same types of questions asked on a national level and applying the data to local circumstances.

Our goal is to produce a final report with recommendations to our region that can be implemented by nonprofit consortia, individual agencies or simply by men and women seeking to engage with their communities on a more meaningful level.

Over the course of our project, we will examine possible model projects, the history, culture and behaviors of areas known for higher rates of civic participation and the response to crisis that reminds us that Americans are deeply concerned about the well-being of their fellow man.

Nexus will unfold over eighteen months. Because this is a community dialogue, we are designing multiple avenues to engage stakeholders.

Five elements comprise the key components of the Nexus Conversation:

• Five Forums;
• Five Workshops;
• Framing and Interim Publications;
• A Xanga Blog to gather additional information and insights;
• A Final Report to the Community.