John Tessitore was honored to sit down with linguist Emily Rae Sabo and her team to discuss the relationship between language access and civil justice. It can be very difficult for English-speakers to navigate legal matters related to family, housing, health care, veterans affairs, debt, employment... It's nearly impossible for people who do not speak … Continue reading Coming soon: We Are What We Speak
The Importance of Data
Last week, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences released the third and final publication in the first phase of its work on civil justice, Measuring Civil Justice for All: What Do We Know? What Do We Need to Know? How Can We Know It? First Idea was involved in every aspect of the project, … Continue reading The Importance of Data
Video: The Civil Justice Gap, narrated by Lamorne Morris
First Idea was proud to work with filmmaker John Moody to create this terrific introduction to the American Academy report, Civil Justice for All, narrated by actor Lamorne Morris. https://youtu.be/n1K1FmS9GP4
To Celebrate Boston’s Founding, A Look at Its Early Institutions
Partnership of Historic Bostons announces its 2019 Boston Charter Day event schedule [Boston, MA, August 26, 2019] What was everyday life like for Boston’s first immigrants? How did they shop for goods, raise their kids, practice their religions? The Partnership of Historic Bostons will host a series of events and lectures this fall examining the … Continue reading To Celebrate Boston’s Founding, A Look at Its Early Institutions
The Humanities and the Future
Important blog from Scientific American. Harvard physicist Avi Loeb connects the future of technological innovation to the lessons of the humanities, citing the report of the American Academy's Commission on on the Humanities and Social Sciences, The Heart of the Matter.
Reaching State Governments
Although public research universities educate 3.8 million students annually and initiate the fundamental research that drives scientific and technological discovery, state governments have cut their funding to these institutions by at least 34% on average. Since the universities are able to raise tuition and cut programming (however, inadvisable that may be) state houses have treated … Continue reading Reaching State Governments
Everyone Needs Legal Help. That Doesn’t Mean Everyone Needs a Lawyer.
The New York Times has interviewed Rebecca Sandefur, co-editor of the Winter 2019 issue of Daedalus on Access to Justice. Professor Sandefur challenges the legal profession to think creatively about how to provide more legal services to more people in need. The entire volume is available for free online here.
The Importance of Grass Roots Organizing
First Idea Communications is working with the Academy to build grassroots interest among the lawyers; legal services providers; local, state and federal courts; law schools, and others who have been waiting for a detailed overview of the problem to help them make the case for changes, reforms, and innovations in the prevision of legal services.
Academy Language Report Now National Policy
America's Languages, the final report of the American Academy's Commission on Language Learning, provided the context for the new Department of Education international strategy, as outlined in Succeeding Globally Through International Education and Engagement, unveiled today. The Academy report is cited as a justification for increasing resources for the development of global competencies. First Idea worked … Continue reading Academy Language Report Now National Policy
Americans Are Losing Out Because So Few Speak a Second Language
Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, a signatory of the American Academy call-to-action, Bridging America's Language Gap, calls for improved language education in an op-ed in the San Francisco Chronicle.
