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This Notre Dame Forum event is co-sponsored by the Office of the President and the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, part of the University’s Keough School of Global Affairs. Allen's lecture is the 31st Annual Hesburgh Lecture in Ethics and Public Policy. Featuring: Danielle Allen, James Bryant Conant University Professor, Harvard University; Director, Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation, Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation How do we repair our fractured democracy? Danielle Allen believes the path to health lies through re-building a supermajority of people—of all political ideologies—ready to work together to support constitutional democracy. In a time of increased polarization and weakening trust, it might seem impossible to create such a supermajority, but Allen will show us where and how we can build this supermajority, and why it is important.

This podcast episode features Heather Reynolds, Managing Director of the Notre Dame Poverty Initiative and the Michael L. Smith Managing Director, Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO), who shares how Notre Dame’s research has shaped policy changes—such as expanding access to high school diplomas for adults—and helped nonprofits implement programs that truly work. With more than 100 projects in 30 states, LEO’s evidence-based approach is cutting through political divides to create solutions that lift people out of poverty.We’re also joined by Tracy Kijewski-Correa, the William J. Pulte Director of the Keough School’s Pulte Institute for Global Development. She discusses how her experiences—from being a first-generation student at Notre Dame to leading post-disaster rebuilding efforts—have shaped her work in helping communities build resilience. She also explains how the Keough School’s approach to poverty extends beyond economic hardship, addressing social, psychological, and environmental challenges to foster true human flourishing.By collaborating with policymakers, local leaders, and global networks, Notre Dame is bridging the gap between poverty research and real-world impact. Listen to the full episode of Notre Dame Stories to learn how Notre Dame is driving change—and why this work matters.Show links: Episode page (https://stories.nd.edu/podcasts/fighting-poverty-research-helping-our-communities/) Fighting For website (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/) Fighting to improve education policies (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/2024/fighting-to-improve-education-policies/) Notre Dame Poverty Initiative (https://strategicframework.nd.edu/initiatives/poverty-initiative/)--- Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:43 Heather Reynolds shares her Notre Dame story 02:56 How Notre Dame can help non-profits 04:53 Why investing in evidence-based programs is so important 06:15 Heather Reynolds shares how her conviction to solve poverty at its roots stemmed from her adoption experience 09:30 Notre Dame's commitment to poverty research domestically and globally 10:53 How the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) has helped shape education policy in America 13:28 How Notre Dame works across political lines to influence policy as a means for good 14:12 How the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) helped shape the Evidence-Based Policy Act 15:20 Types of poverty research that the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) focuses on 17:33 How the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) and Notre Dame are helping combat the opioid crisis in America 19:42 How Notre Dame alum Paul Farrell has helped victims of the opioid epidemic fight pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors 22:51 The importance local partners have on research at the Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) 23:54 Investing in poverty research 27:17 Tracy Kijewski-Correa shares her Notre Dame story 29:54 To build resilient communities, you have to visit on their darkest day 31:29 How Notre Dame helped victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti 34:00 Three pillars that make Notre Dame's Keough School of Global Affairs different 36:00 Working with policymakers and investing in evidence-based policies 37:00 Scaling interventions through global partnerships to seed change 37:40 Why Notre Dame must be a leader on issues like poverty 38:27 Thinking globally but working locally is a model for success in affecting change-----Notre Dame Stories is the official podcast of the University of Notre Dame. It was created by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications and hosted by Jenna Liberto with Executive Producer Andy Fuller. It was produced by Jenna Liberto, Josh Long, and Staci Stickovich. Videography was done by Zach Dudka, Josh Long, Tony Fuller, and Michael Wiens. Original music was provided by Alex Mansour. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

In 2022, Eric Goins was deployed to Poland as a U.S. Army Signal Corps Officer following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Today, he’s pursuing a dual MBA and Master of Global Affairs degree at Notre Dame—and is also a walk-on kicker for the Fighting Irish football team. After graduation, Goins plans to continue serving his country as a civilian.Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman, whose father served in the United States Air Force, has a deep appreciation for the military. Freeman expressed pride in welcoming Goins to the team, recognizing the unique perspective and dedication veterans bring to the field.While Notre Dame’s ROTC program has long been at the core of campus military engagement, a growing number of active duty members and veterans are now part of the University community. Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Ken Heckel ’96, director of Notre Dame’s Office of Military & Veterans Affairs (OMVA), is leading efforts to expand support for this group.“For the millions of veterans who’ve selflessly served our country, Notre Dame has both the honor and the responsibility to serve them,” Heckel says. His work is helping to build a robust military community on campus, ensuring veterans and active duty members feel supported as they pursue their education.Learn more at fightingfor.nd.edu/2024/fighting-to-serve-others-above-self

In Arizona’s Tonto National Forest, Chi’chil Bildagoteel, known as Oak Flat, is a sacred space for the Apache and other Native tribes. Countless generations have used the site for religious and coming-of-age ceremonies and have gathered medicinal plants and acorns from its majestic oaks.But Oak Flat is in danger. In 2014, a land swap deal offered Oak Flat to a mining company that intends to place a copper mine leaving the site unsafe for humans. Apache Stronghold, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization made up of Native and non-Native allies, are intent on saving Oak Flat.While the Notre Dame Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic, launched in 2020, isn't representing the Apache Stronghold, it's very supportive of its mission and has filed multiple amicus briefs in support of protection for Oak Flat. The Clinic, one of the world's leading academic institutions on the subject, is representative of Notre Dame's values. Informed by its Catholic character, the University has always supported and promoted religious liberty as a fundamental human right.Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean and Professor of Law at the Notre Dame Law School, is careful to note that religious liberty encompasses all faiths, and those without faith.“The Religious Liberty Clinic was created because our freedom of conscience, our freedom to believe, and then live according to our beliefs, is the most important and fundamental freedom that we have. Not just as Americans, but as humans,” he said.