Gathering around common interests

At some level, Georgians share interests. GeorgiaForward seeks to bring together rural, urban residents to better this state.

Any grass-roots civic effort that can unite productive people around goals most all reasonable folks share deserves encouragement, especially in divided times like these, we believe. Thus, we’re glad that inclement weather did not deter this year’s GeorgiaForward Forum in Macon.

GeorgiaForward is an alliance of people interested in moving past old, counterproductive we win-you lose strategies that have too often seen Georgians working against, rather than toward, solutions intended to make this entire state a more-prosperous and successful place to live, work and do business.

The annual forum meeting rooms have always shown this state’s diversity at its best, as rural and urban residents, young and old, political leaders, businesspeople, students and educators come together. Not surprisingly, attendees often find strong commonality of broad interests. Which makes sense, given all of us stand to benefit from good schools, positive business conditions and effective transportation systems.

GeorgiaForward also works to help prepare younger Georgians for leadership roles in their communities. Their efforts to pair experience with youthful energy can help foster a better future for all of us.

Today, we feature several columns from GeorgiaForward participants and leaders. The work they’re doing deserves to continue and thrive, we believe.