Special Ops
Gen Next is always looking for new and different opportunities to shape and drive public debate and action toward long-term solutions. Our Special Ops missions are unique opportunities in which we've engaged in relationship-driven, systemically impactful and scalable ways in our core issue areas. To see who we work with, visit Gen Next Alliances and Partners.
Here are a few examples...
Economic Growth
Outrageous Public Debt and the Need for Entitlement Reform
Gen Next collaborated with the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, Americans for Generational Equity, Mobilize.org, and other groups to raise awareness about our need to overcome our growing fiscal crisis by reframing fiscal debate and reforming entitlement programs. The operation included a summit with testimony aired on C-SPAN and covered in the Washington Post, as well as a full two-page advertisement in the New York Times challenging Senators Barack Obama and John McCain to address nation's fiscal crisis.
Labor Laws, "Card Check" and Competitiveness
Gen Next is a Member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in order to help raise awareness on consequences of the Employee Free Choice Act (aka "card check") and dwindling U.S. competitiveness. Card check would change how unions are allowed to organize workers in the United States. Passage of the bill would essentially eliminate secret ballot elections, put government regulators in charge of private business decisions and penalize businesses (but not unions) for violations during the union recognition process. Most of our Members are entrepreneurs and small to mid-size business owners, representing the future of our country's progress. We must identify policies that empower them to create jobs, not put them on the defensive.
Entrepreneurship
Gen Next joined "Build A Stronger America" which is a coalition created by the Kauffman Foundation to unite entrepreneurs and give them a stronger voice in the debate about our country's economic future. Others who have supported "Build a stronger America" by sharing their stories online include Chris Garder, who inspired "the Pursuit of Happyness" and CEO, Tony Hsieh of Zappos.com As a Member we provide feedback on the policies and programs that affect entrepreneurship.
Education
Crisis in American Education
Two-third of American students graduate high school unprepared. The future of American opportunity and prosperity rest on how we prepare the next generation of leaders. Gen Next brings top business and opinion leaders, foundations, think tanks and coalitions to our membership to shed light on the crisis in American education and propel discussion and action to positively reshape our kid's future.
Recently we hosted Kevin Chavous, Founder of Democrats for Education Reform, and a national leader on education reform to discuss how teacher accountability, school choice, high expectations, and free flow of creativity when teaching students is critical to the future success of our children.
Gen Next Members also attended "Get Schooled," a conference hosted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Viacom, several corporations and nonprofits. The conference launched a nationwide initiative to engage students, families, and the community in reformation of our nations public schools. View the "Get Schooled" Initiative here.
"Not As Good As You Think: the Myth of the Middle Class School"
You may think the failure of California's public school system is limited to the inner city...guess again. Gen Next and the Pacific Research Institute held an exclusive screening of the film "Not As Good As You Think: The Myth of the Middle Class School". The film addresses the misconception that suburban parents often have about their 'great' neighborhood public schools and advocates that bold action from middle-class parents is overdue. More on the documentary
International Security
Social Media, Security and Public Diplomacy
Four Gen Next Members founded the Alliance of Youth Movements because they saw a problem and an ability to solve it. Gen Next, Columbia University Law School, Howcast, Facebook, Google, YouTube, MTV, the U.S. Department of State, and Access 360 Media became a proud sponsor of the first Alliance of Youth Movements Summit in New York City. Pepsi, Edelman, and others joined other sponsors for the second summit in Mexico City.
Alliance of Youth Movements (AYM) unites individuals, government officials, academics, and private and public sector leaders from around the world to explore ways to advance grassroots movements seeking positive social change through 21st century technology and tools. AYM positively empowers leaders to affect nonviolent change in the world by creating and promoting use of technological tools to advance freedom, human rights, democracy, and development around the world. Watch their video to learn more.
Energy Security
The U.S. is facing a serious energy security crisis, as we still largely depend on OPEC to supply a large portion of resources that power our economy. Gen Next works closely with the Set America Free Coalition to raise awareness and educate our Members, associates and the public about the efforts to get more flex fuel, electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road for more competition in the transportation fuels sector.
Winning the War of Ideas
Behind every terrorist attack is an ideology that sanctions violence against innocent people, threatens our security and leaves us fearful. We support the Quilliam Foundation, the world’s first counter-extremism think tank and campaign group that fosters genuine Islam, free from the bitter politics and extremism of the Arab and Muslim world. We are honored to serve as their U.S. based sponsor, so they can expand their focus on a global scale. The two founders, Ed Hussain and Maajid Nawaz have visited with our Members in Orange County and San Diego.
