2026 Events Recap
June 30, 2026
Or Initiative began 2026 by bringing educators, researchers, civic leaders, students, and partner organizations together around a shared question: how can schools help young people navigate civil discourse and digital life in a polarized age? Early-year programming included the formal launch of Or Initiative at Chapman University, featuring year 1 research findings, a teaching and learning framework, student and educator voices, and a working session focused on classroom challenges, curriculum, professional learning, and technology. Additional January events extended this work through conversations on antisemitism, campus life, trust-building, and the role educators play in helping students engage difficult issues with evidence, curiosity, and care.
Feb 9 & 10, 2026
Formal Or Initiative Launch Event
On February 9 and 10, 2026, Or Initiative formally launched at Chapman University with 2 days of programming focused on helping young people, and the educators who support them, navigate civil discourse and digital life in a deeply polarized age.
The public launch event, Building Civil & Civic Muscle in a Digital Age, took place on Monday, February 9, from 6:30–8:30 PM. The evening included a presentation of Or Initiative’s Year 1 research findings, teaching and learning framework, and field-building agenda. A panel discussion moderated by Anya Kamenetz featured Louise Dubé of iCivics, Joel Breakstone of Digital Inquiry Group, and Yvette Renteria of Common Sense Media. The event also included short video reflections from students and educators featured in the study.
On Tuesday, February 10, from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, Or Initiative hosted a working session, Responding to the Or Challenge. The session featured short, provocative talks by experts including Candice Odgers of UC Irvine, who spoke on digital media, learning, and adolescent well-being, and Simon Cullen of Sway, who addressed digital tools that can support civil discourse.
Small-group working sessions brought educators and developers together to identify real classroom and school-level dilemmas around teaching tough topics, explore where curriculum, professional learning, and technology could be better aligned, and surface early ideas for tools, pilots, and collaborations. Together, the 2 sessions served as an interactive launch of an ongoing, cross-sector community of practice and inquiry.
Jan 29, 2026
Keynote at Education Leaders Summit at Jewish Federation Los Angeles
Connections that Matter: Building Trust and Civil Discourse for Students in the Digital Age
Jan 15, 2026: 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Network for Responsible Public Policy Webinar
Antisemitism on Campus
Antisemitism is resurfacing through hate speech, vandalism, and acts of violence, including murder. For many communities, the Israel-Hamas war has intensified these tensions and brought renewed urgency to difficult questions about Israel, Palestinians, and the path forward. College campuses have become one of the most visible places where these debates, and at times these conflicts, are playing out. This discussion begins there, with 2 experts examining what is happening on campuses today and separating the myths from the realities behind these developments.