Charge Approved by Board
January 11, 2000

THE COMMONWEALTH NORTH

URBAN/RURAL UNITY STUDY ("U.R. US"):

FINDING A COMMON AGENDA

1. Question to be addressed:

How can Alaska effectively address the increasing tension between its urban and
rural populations?

This study topic proceeds from the view that there is an increasing tension between urban
and rural Alaska. This urban and rural tension will result in lasting harm to Alaska's interests if it is not
effectively and promptly addressed.

A division between urban and rural interests is common in many states, based upon
differences in population, economic base, wealth, and political power.

In Alaska, these "ordinary" urban/rural differences are even more pronounced by racial,
cultural, economic, financial and legal factors, and by the actions of different elements of society and
government .

Alaska cannot progress in the future if the rural, predominantly Native population is
alienated from the urban, predominantly non-Native population.

Commonwealth North addresses issues of importance to the state. There are few other
political issues as important to the state, and to the promises of Statehood for the whole state, as this. A
major part of the impact of this study is in simply recognizing the importance of the issue, and the
necessity of finding mutual human respect and understanding.

2. Scope of Study.

The intention of this study is twofold:

A. To state the obligations and interests of both the State of Alaska and its people on this issue,
including:

(1) recognition ofthe common interests between urban and rural Alaska;

(2) recognition of the differences between urban and rural Alaska, and the forces which
divide Alaskans;

(3) a vision of Alaska's future in which the benefits of statehoodare available to all in
appropriate measure, in which the existence of natural and inherent differences between
urban and rural interests are generally accepted, and in which the strong common interest
of all Alaskans in mutually acceptable solutions is recognized.

(4) a visionto bridge the issues that divide urban and rural Alaska.