UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — As the United States approaches the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the McCourtney Institute for Democracy will commemorate the occasion by looking back on how New York City used the principles of deliberative democracy to decide what would become of the World Trade Center site afterward.

The McCourtney Institute will host a screening of the documentary “9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero” on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. in the Carnegie Cinema, 113 Carnegie Building. A panel discussion with John Gastil, distinguished professor of communication arts and sciences, public policy and political science, and Brad Vivian, professor of communication arts and sciences, will follow the screening. Ekaterina Haskins, director of the Center for Democratic Deliberation and professor of communications arts and sciences and visual studies, will moderate the discussion.

“9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero” tells the story of how everyday Americans came together to help determine the future of the World Trade Center site through one of the largest public deliberation processes ever held in the United States. Some 5,000 New Yorkers gathered at the Javits Center in Manhattan in July 2002 for the "Listening to the City" project, where they discussed what would ultimately be built at Ground Zero.

The results of "Listening to the City" pushed the plans for the former World Trade Center site toward a place for public commemoration of the 9/11 attacks, instead of a business park or re-creation of the former Twin Towers.

The documentary offers a rare look at democracy in action, illustrating how structured dialogue and public participation can help communities navigate complex decisions and moments of national significance. It includes interviews with "Listening to the City" organizers and participants, as well as the elected officials who implemented the recommendations that came out of the deliberation.

Gastil is an expert in deliberative democracy; Haskins and Vivan are experts on public memory. The panel discussion with Gastil, Haskins and Vivian will focus on how deliberative democracy like the Ground Zero project can help reduce political polarization and help to make sure that many perspectives are considered in a decision-making process, and how such processes shape the public’s memory of large events like 9/11.