|
Our Changing Society
Demographic data is critical to understanding the nature and breadth of our society’s growing diversity. But in addition to knowing who is here, California Tomorrow believes it is important for all of us to be knowledgeable about the histories, cultures, languages, needs and comparative challenges of the families who live and work in our state and nation. This knowledge is key to developing understanding, respect, and collaborative action across inter-cultural difference. Such connection is important not merely because we are a multicultural population, but because we are fundamentally an interdependent one.
California Tomorrow specializes in collecting and interpreting demographic data on diversity in relation to social justice. Are resources and opportunities available and accessible to all? If not, who has access and who does not? Do our institutions adequately reflect and respond to the populations they serve? How can we strengthen civic involvement as a means to improving accountability
We use data in many different ways: to arrive at shared understandings of the nature of the inequity around us; to predict the implications of demographic changes for young people, schools, the workforce, and governments in California and the United States; and as a springboard to conversations about which strategies will best lead to organizational effectiveness and greater social justice.
We believe that public dialogue, public policy, and social activism should be driven by reliable measures of social and economic equity along with the values of respect and mutual responsibility. In addition to compiling data that is publicly available, we often help organizations to design and use their own data collection systems.
In looking toward the future, California Tomorrow has developed a particular strength in forecasting the implications of changing demography. We offer ongoing analysis of the ways that resources, priorities, and definitions of leadership may need to keep shifting in order to meet the needs of our changing population, including those who are newly arrived, first and second generation immigrants, low-income individuals and families, and people of color. We also draw upon data trends to highlight the skills and attitudes that everyone will require if we are to live in a society that is accessible, responsive and empowering to all its members. | |
