Project Information

April 14, 1999 Press Release

NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON SOCIAL SECURITY

Unique Web Conference On Social Security Reform

To Begin Monday, April 19.

Members of Congress, Leading Experts to Participate

WASHINGTON, DC -- Americans Discuss Social Security (ADSS) and Information Renaissance (Info Ren) today announced that they are collaborating on an innovative new web-based National Dialogue on Social Security. The seven-week online event will link th ousands of Americans in a discussion with nationally known experts, policy makers, elected officials and others. The National Dialogue, funded by a grant to Info Ren from the Prudential Foundation, begins on Monday, April 19 and runs through June 4.

Among those set to participate are: Rep. Bill Archer (R TX), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and a leading figure in the Social Security reform debate; Rep. Kenny C. Hulshof (R-MO); Rep. Karen Thurman (D-FL); Robert D. Reischauer, senio r fellow in the Economic Studies program at the Brookings Institution and former director of the Congressional Budget Office; and Carolyn Weaver, Director of Pension and Social Security Studies at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Resear ch.

Over the seven-week span of the National Dialogue, participants will be led through an introductory dialogue followed by four separate discussion topics, each addressing a different aspect of Social Security reform. Panels of experts will spark convers ation by first describing the issue and their positions, answering questions from the public, and debating among themselves. A moderated online public discussion will parallel the experts' Roundtable conversation, and provide questions and input to the e xperts. To join the dialogue, citizens can simply log onto http://www.network-democracy.org/social-security, and register for the conference. Registration is free.

Americans Discuss Social Security will provide extensive online background materials on Social Security reform, including an online briefing book that describes Social Security, the challenges it faces and the proposed reforms. The book also includes President Clinton's reform proposal, the broad range of competing proposals, and the white papers submitted to the December 1998 White House Conference on Social Security.

"For nearly two years," said ADSS Executive Director Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer, "ADSS has utilized innovative approaches that harness technology to advance citizen participation. Our collaboration with Info Ren and our recent collaborations with AOL and policy.com have helped us engage tens of thousands of Americans in meaningful discussion on this critical issue. Projects like this help fulfill the promise of the Internet to connect citizens with policy makers and advance our democratic process."

Info Ren is a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of computer networks to support public participation in policy issues.

Americans Discuss Social Security is a nonprofit, nonpartisan project funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts to engage Americans from all walks of life in a national conversation about Social Security, so their views can help policy makers shape its futur e. The project concludes in June of this year. ADSS has sponsored a series of live local forums, video teleconferences, print advertising, polling and more, all aimed at bringing as many Americans as possible into the discussion about Social Security's future.

The Prudential Foundation is an independent philanthropic entity funded by the Prudential Insurance Company of America. Founded in 1977, the Foundation has contributed more than $250 million to non-profit and community groups nationwide, supporting a wide range of causes that help build children's and families' self-sufficiency and foster healthy communities.

For more information send e-mail to: info@network-democracy.org or telephone

Info Ren: Ashley Schannauer, 412-471-4636 or Laurie Maak 888-638-5323
Americans Discuss Social Security: 800-994-ADSS