NEWS & BLOG

This archive includes Learning Life news, spotlights about our participants and volunteers, and blog posts from Learning Life’s founder, Paul Lachelier.   

November 21, 2024: Spotlight: Fall 2024 Learning Life Interns

November 1, 2024: Report on the First Democracy Festival in the U.S. Capital Region

October 28, 2024: Sign Up for the DMV Democracy Dispatch

October 21, 2024: Sat, Oct 26 at DemFest: No Sense of Decency

September 27, 2024: Sat, Oct 26 at DemFest: Comedy Show for Democracy! 

September 3, 2024: Take Part in the Youth Assembly on Mental Health

August 6, 2024: Spotlight: Summer 2024 Learning Life Interns

July 24, 2024: Six Easy Ways You Can Support DemFest

July 3, 2024: Update on DMV DemFest 2024 Fundraising

June 25, 2024: Participate in Visioning the DMV Democracy Learning Community

June 10, 2024: Take Part in Family Diplomacy Issue Presentations

June 1, 2024: Learning Life Launches $50k DemFest Fundraiser

May 20, 2024: Partner with Learning Life

April 22, 2024: Call for Democracy Festival Liaisons

April 13, 2024: Spotlight: Spring 2024 Learning Life Interns

March 29, 2024: New Posters: Visioning CDI and the DLC

February 27, 2024: Stakeholder Spotlight: Trey Webb

February 23, 2024: New Poster: Six Reasons to Tithe

February 19, 2024: The Case for Democracy Markets

February 1, 2024: Four International Dialogues on Family Security 

January 29, 2024: New Poster: 10 Reasons to Support DemFest

December 29, 2023: Report: 2023 Family Diplomacy Training Impact

December 26, 2023: How Business Can Help Strengthen Democracy

December 18, 2023: Five Reasons to Support Democracy Festivals

December 3, 2023: You’re Invited: Family Diplomacy Sweets & Stories

December 1, 2023: Spotlight: Fall 2023 Learning Life Interns

November 26, 2023: We’ve Reached 31% of our $45,000 Goal for Dec 31

November 9, 2023: Stakeholder Spotlight: Gustavo Carvajal Villalobos

October 29, 2023: Three New Program Photo Collages

October 14, 2023: Stakeholder Spotlight: Denise & Bethany

October 6, 2023: Family Diplomacy Stories October 15 & 22

September 24, 2023: Panel Discusses Civility, Philanthropy & Citizen Assemblies

September 6, 2023: Citizen Diplomacy Int’l Mtg #19: Democratizing Int’l Relations

September 2, 2023: Founder’s Blog: Democracy, Education & the Trump Voter

August 29, 2023: Sept 21: Panel Discussion: Democratize America

August 23, 2023: Founder’s Blog: Toward Localizing International Relations

August 14, 2023: Support Learning Life: Host a Democracy Dessert

July 31, 2023: Spotlight: Summer 2023 Learning Life Interns

July 3, 2023: New Video about Learning Life Released

June 25, 2023: Help the Daughters of a Deceased Learning Life Participant

June 12, 2023: Learning Life Establishes an Advisory Council

June 6, 2023: Citizen Diplomacy Int’l Mtg #18: City Diplomacy

May 11, 2023: Toward a DC Democracy Festival

April 27, 2023: First Animated Family Stories!

April 9, 2023: Family Diplomacy Facebook Group Reaches 15k Members Worldwide

March 8, 2023: Citizen Diplomacy Int’l Mtg #17: Health Diplomacy

March 2, 2023: Spotlight: Spring 2023 Learning Life Interns

February 17, 2023: World Family Stories Now on Youtube

February 1, 2023: Family Storytelling Workshops Lead to Animated Prize

January 17, 2023: Democracy Dinners Return In-Person

January 4, 2023: Call to Families: Become International Family Diplomats

January 2, 2023: Call for Family Diplomacy Ambassadors

December 31, 2022: What Happened in 2022, and What’s Coming in 2023

December 19, 2022: Report: 2022 Family Diplomacy Training Impact

December 11, 2022: Our Outstanding Volunteers & Family Diplomats of 2022

December 6, 2022: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #16

November 23, 2022: December 11: Democracy & Diplomacy for a More Caring World 

November 4, 2022: Democracy & Diplomacy Community to Offer CD International

October 24, 2022: Spotlight: Fall 2022 Learning Life Interns

October 15, 2022: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #15

September 28, 2022: Founder’s Blog: Three Threats to American Democracy

September 19, 2022: Polarization Event Launches Democracy & Diplomacy Community

September 6, 2022: American Polarization: A Conversation (DDC Event)

August 28, 2022: International Family Storytelling Launches

August 16, 2022: Stakeholder Spotlight: Nick Burton

August 9, 2022: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #14

July 28, 2022: Spotlight: Summer 2022 Learning Life Interns

July 25, 2022: Join Learning Life’s Fundraising Team

July 10, 2022: Phase 2 of Family Diplomacy Initiative Begins

July 1, 2022: First Animated Video about Family Diplomacy

June 21, 2022: Join Learning Life’s Advisory Council

June 8, 2022: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #13

June 6, 2022: Join 1,000 Strong for Family Diplomacy

May 24, 2022: Learning Life Finalist for National “Civvys” Award

May 9, 2022: Stakeholder Spotlight: William Schneider

April 25, 2022: Seeking Family Storytelling Judges

April 20, 2022: Train to Become an International Family Diplomat

April 13, 2022: Spotlight: Spring 2022 Learning Life Interns

April 5, 2022: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #12

March 20, 2022: What is Family Diplomacy, & How Do I Become A Family Diplomat?

March 11, 2022: Stakeholder Spotlight: Sherry Mueller

February 25, 2022: Democracy Learning Community Planning Starts!

February 22, 2022: Joe Toles Joins Board of Directors

February 15, 2022: Call for DMV Democracy Fellows

February 9, 2022: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #11

January 18, 2022: Stakeholder Spotlight: Marvin Fan

January 10, 2022: Join the Democracy & Diplomacy Community

December 31, 2021: What Happened in 2021, and What’s Coming in 2022

December 12, 2021: Spotlight: Fall 2021 Learning Life Interns

December 8, 2021: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #10

November 18, 2021: Sixth 2021 Int’l Family Dialogue Focuses on Education & Leisure

November 15, 2021: New Report: Growth, Milestones, Awards & More!

October 25, 2021: Democracy & Diplomacy Event Draws Participants from 18 Countries

October 15, 2021: Learning Life Milestones since 2016

October 10, 2021: Fifth 2021 International Family Dialogue Focuses on Politics

October 5, 2021: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #9

September 24, 2021: Enter to Win an International Prize

September 19, 2021: This Fall, Help Launch Learning Life

August 30, 2021: Sponsor “Democracy & Diplomacy for a More Caring World” Event

August 24, 2021: Founder’s Blog: America Needs Democracy Learning Communities

August 18, 2021: Third 2021 Int’l Family Dialogue Focuses on Work & Economics

August 13, 2021: Spotlight: Summer 2021 Learning Life Interns

August 4, 2021: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #8

July 26, 2021: Second 2021 International Family Dialogue Focuses on Health Care

July 6, 2021: First 2021 International Family Dialogue Focuses on Global Family Trends

June 23, 2021: Mark Your Calendars!  A Taste of Democracy & Diplomacy

June 8, 2021: Seeking Experts & Families for 2021 Live International Family Dialogues!

June 8, 2021: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #7

May 3, 2021: Meet Our Family Diplomacy Ambassadors

April 19, 2021: Founder’s Blog: The Model Family Diplomat

April 6, 2021: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #6

March 31, 2021: Learning Life Marks 20th Democracy Dinner

March 17, 2021: Spotlight: Spring 2021 Learning Life Interns

February 22, 2021: Introducing Learning Life’s New Board of Advisors

February 3, 2021: Introducing Learning Life’s New Board of Directors

February 3, 2021: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #5

January 25, 2021: Profile: Agi-Otto Family (Nigeria) 

January 4, 2021: What Happened in 2020, and What’s Coming in 2021

December 31, 2020: Free e-Books on World Food Cultures & Families!

December 30, 2020: 2020 Food Project Impact Report

December 10, 2020: Profile: Cao Family (China)

December 1, 2020: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #4

November 29, 2020: What Does Holiday Food Look Like Worldwide?

November 16, 2020: World Food Talk Draws Participants from 9 Nations

November 11, 2020: This Sunday: Join Our Family World Food Talk Live!

November 10, 2020: Spotlight: Fall 2020 Learning Life Interns

October 29, 2020: Profile: Constanza Family (El Salvador)

October 28, 2020: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #3

October 1, 2020: What Does ‘Comfort Food’ Look Like Worldwide?

September 23, 2020: Help Build a More Caring, Connected World: Join a LL Board

September 12, 2020: Founder’s Blog: Family Diplomacy for a More Caring World

September 8, 2020: What is Family Diplomacy?

August 31, 2020: New Video Silent Stories Feature a Global Cast

August 25, 2020: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #2

August 3, 2020: Introducing the “We Are Family Diplomats” Poster Series

July 27, 2020:  Interview with LL Founder on Inequality, Education & Diplomacy

July 10, 2020: Interview with Learning Life Founder on Democracy & Education

July 3, 2020: Founder’s Blog: Toward a Contextual Ethics of Diplomacy

June 23, 2020: Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting #1

June 17, 2020: Interested in Citizen Diplomacy?  Join the CDRG

June 8, 2020: Citizen Diplomacy for a More Caring World

May 13, 2020: Become a Learning Life Virtual Tour Guide!

May 3, 2020: Profile: Wang Family (China)

April 20, 2020: Profile: Spring 2020 Interns

April 2, 2020: Profile: Gupta Family (India)

March 25, 2020: Founder’s Blog: Five Steps toward Distance Mentoring & Educational Equity during the Pandemic

March 13, 2020: Profile: Mayo Family (USA)

February 28, 2020: Profile: Pandeya Family (Nepal)

February 3, 2020: Seeking Families Worldwide to Answer 6 Questions on Fb in 2020

January 7, 2020: Seeking Metro DC Professionals for Learning Life Board

December 29, 2019: What Happened in 2019, and What’s Coming in 2020

December 2, 2019: Learning Life Partners with DC International Student House

November 8, 2019: Intern Spotlight: Lexie Hill

October 26, 2019: Founder’s Blog: Open Letter to Learning Life Families

October 11, 2019: Intern Spotlight: Sehar Jamal

October 6, 2019: Intern Spotlight: Amber Spalek

September 30, 2019: Founder’s Blog: 5 Reasons Why Diplomacy Should Involve Families

September 1, 2019: CDI Is Now FDI

August 27, 2019: The Coming International Community of Families

August 1, 2019: Democracy Dinners Begin

July 1, 2019: Food Culture Project Results Are In!

June 17, 2019: Intern Spotlight: José Castellón Gutiérrez

June 2, 2019: Mid-Year Potluck Connects Mentors & Families

May 6, 2019: Mentor-Mentee Spotlight: Baileigh & Suzanne

April 28, 2019: Food Culture Project Complete!

April 3, 2019: Mentor-Mentee Spotlight: Jadyn & Denis

March 26, 2019: Founder’s Blog: Seven Ways of Being in the World

March 18, 2019: Family Spotlight: The Saunders Family

March 4, 2019: Intern Spotlight: Quanchao Fan

February 15, 2019: Learning Life Partners with CPDC

February 12, 2019: Guide to Fundays 2.0

February 11, 2019: Learning Life Launches Fundays 2.0

January 15, 2019: Founder’s Blog: Families: A New Voice for a More Caring World

January 14, 2019: Family Spotlight: Curtis-Winslow Family

December 30, 2018: What Happened in 2018 & What’s Coming in 2019

December 12, 2018: First Global Storytelling Challenge a Success!

December 18, 2018: First International Silent Story Videos Are Out!

December 4, 2018: Intern Spotlight: Yaxeni Valero

November 26, 2018: Founder’s Blog: Globalization, Inequality & Opportunity

November 12, 2018: Intern Spotlight: Lynnette Kitcher

October 24, 2018: Follow-Up Study Compares Family Food Culture in Three Countries

October 22, 2018: Pilot Global Storytelling Challenge Launches

September 20, 2018: Introducing “Cook, Eat & Learn Sessions” (CELS)

September 14, 2018: Founder’s Blog: Toward Good Health, Local to Global

August 27, 2018: CDI Is Two Years Old!  Here’s Where We Are

August 3, 2018: Intern Spotlight: Zainab Mahdi

July 26, 2018: Intern Spotlight: Thalia Navia

July 18, 2018: Today Marks Our 100th CDI Activity

July 5, 2018: Intern Spotlight: Anudeep Alberts

June 29, 2018: Intern Spotlight: Yesica Sorto-Argueta

May 2, 2018: Cross-National Food Culture Research Goes Public

April 4, 2018: DC Rich and Poor: A Tale of Two Wards

March 22, 2018: Founder’s Blog: Food and Health in Senegal vs. the USA

March 15, 2018: Intern Spotlight: Vanessa Rincon

February 26, 2018: Intern Spotlight: FZ Kassidi

February 12, 2018: Seeking CDI Youth Mentors

January 22, 2018: Let’s Build a World Affairs Pipeline for Youth in DC

January 8, 2018: Int’l Project Comparing Family Food Cultures Launches

December 27, 2017: Results of our Int’l Community Photo Project Are in!

December 15, 2017: Founder’s Blog: Democratize Diplomacy!

November 26, 2017: Support Learning Life: Host a Diplomacy Dessert

November 20, 2017: Intern Spotlight: Kelly Cruz

November 14, 2017: yPIE Interviews Founder Paul Lachelier

November 4, 2017: The Eight Families in Our First International Project

October 16, 2017: Intern Spotlight: Sara Edgar

October 4, 2017: Number of e-News Subscribers Surpasses 1,000!

September 13, 2017: New Fundays Get DC Kids Learning about the World

August 27, 2017: Founder’s Blog: Today is the First Anniversary of CDI!

August 18, 2017: Volunteer Spotlight: Melissa Ordoñez

August 15, 2017: International Potlucks for a More Peaceful & Tasty World

August 4, 2017: Intern Spotlight: Claudia Merlos

July 14, 2017: Intern Spotlight: Temilola Afolabi

June 27, 2017: Seeking Fluent Arabic Volunteers for International Dialogues

June 13, 2017: Watch: Third Citizen Diplomacy Initiative Video!

May 22, 2017: Watch: Second Citizen Diplomacy Initiative Video!

May 15, 2017: Get Notice of DC Live International Virtual Exchange Meetings

May 2, 2017: How Do We Build Peace in a Divided World?

April 22, 2017: Intern Spotlight: Jo Moley

April 18, 2017: Founder’s Blog: A Neighborhood Approach to International Diplomacy

April 14, 2017: New Facebook Group Connects CDI Families Worldwide

March 30, 2017: Watch: First Citizen Diplomacy Initiative Video!

March 12, 2017: Learning Life Holds First Live Middle East Dialogue

February 22, 2017: Anacostia Int’l Inaugural Meal Features Senegalese Feast

February 8, 2017: Intern Spotlight: Erin Birmingham

December 30, 2016: Learning Life’s 2016 Work, and Plans for 2017

December 19, 2016: Seeking Research Collaborators

December 12, 2016: Founder’s Blog: Inspirations for LL’s Citizen Diplomacy Initiative

December 9, 2016: Volunteer Spotlight: Steve Lainez

November 15, 2016: Founder’s Blog: 3 Deeper Take-Aways from Trump’s Ascendance

October 13, 2016: Two New U.S. Families Join Citizen Diplomacy Initiative

October 7, 2016: About Our Photovoice Project

September 26, 2016: Seeking Metro DC Students to Research & Lead Int’l Dialogues

September 19, 2016: U.S. Families Connect with a New Family in Senegal

September 7, 2016: U.S.-El Salvador Live Dialogue Leads to Dance

September 5, 2016: Internship: Help Organize Live International Dialogues

August 27, 2016: Our First, Live, International, Family-to-Family Dialogue

August 7, 2016: Intern Spotlight: Omar Batterjee

July 28, 2016: Founder’s Blog: What’s Your Position in the World?

July 6, 2016: Volunteer Spotlight: Britany Gatewood

June 12, 2016: Founder’s Blog: A F.A.C.T. Approach to Citizen Diplomacy

May 17, 2016: New Content for Our Globalizing World

April 4, 2016: Intern Spotlight: Maria Luevano

March 25, 2016: Founder’s Blog: Global Citizens for Our Global Age

March 8, 2016: Intern Spotlight: Carolyn Rider

February 9, 2016: Seeking International Dialogue Organizers