Educating for Personal and Social Responsibility: Deepening Student and Campus Commitments
Forum Invitation
Friday, October 2, 2009 | 5:30 - 7:15 p.m.
Salon E-F-G, The Hilton Minneapolis - 1001 Marquette Ave.
The Association of American Colleges and Universities, The Democracy Imperative, and Minnesota Campus Compact, invite conference attendees and the public to join us for a deliberative forum on promising developments in national efforts to strengthen American democracy and, more specifically, the roles and responsibilities of colleges and universities in that national movement.
We’ve all heard the warnings: democracy is not a spectator sport. A strong democracy requires an attentive, engaged citizenry. Yet for many years, Americans were disengaged from even the most basic forms of public participation such as attendance at town hall meetings and voting. This may be changing. More and more, Americans are realizing that there are better ways to work together to address the pressing social and political problems we face in public life. Over the past ten years, thousands of people have been experimenting with innovative models of public deliberation and participation, all designed to identify and advance citizen-driven action and change. These promising practices are emerging as powerful antidotes to citizen disengagement from politics and civic life, polarizing, partisan policy making, and exclusive practices based on social and economic status.
A Call for Action: Civic organizations and individuals driving what some call a movement to advance deliberative democracy know that, while progress has been undeniable, there is much work to be done and new challenges to be overcome. We invite political, civic, and business leaders, citizens, and educators to come together to discuss, how we can work together to build the capacity of citizens to engage in a strong, deliberative democracy. How do we connect promising developments in democratic practice with educational programs and activities? What more can and should colleges and universities do? What can each of us, as individuals, do?
Educators from colleges and universities across the nation will be in Minneapolis for AAC&U’s conference on Educating for Personal and Social Responsibility. We hope that you’ll join conference participants and other invited leaders from Minnesota. An informal reception will begin at 5:30 pm. At 5:45, we’ll offer some opening remarks to frame the conversations, so please arrive before that time. The forum will conclude promptly at 7:15, but we hope and expect the conversations continue throughout and beyond the conference.
For those who are not attending the conference who would like to attend, please RSVP to Karen Kalla (kalla@aacu.org) and provide your full name and organization (if applicable) so that a name badge can be prepared.
About the Organizers:
AAC&U
AAC&U is the leading national association concerned with the quality, vitality, and public standing of undergraduate liberal education. Its members are committed to extending the advantages of a liberal education to all students, regardless of academic specialization or intended career. Founded in 1915, AAC&U now comprises 1,200 member institutions—including accredited public and private colleges and universities of every type and size.
Minnesota Campus Compact
Minnesota Campus Compact is a coalition of more than 50 colleges and universities dedicated to building campus-community partnerships and educating students to develop creative solutions to society's most pressing issues. MNCC is affiliated with Campus Compact, a national network of 1,100 campuses, a national office and 35 state organizations working to advance the public purposes of higher education, improve the quality of community life, and strengthen this diverse democracy.
The Democracy Imperative
TDI is a national network of multidisciplinary faculty members, campus leaders, and civic leaders who are committed to strengthening public life and democracy in and through higher education. We work to increase (1) understanding about democracy’s ideals and challenges, (2) the capacity of individuals to participate in a deliberative democracy, and (3) the role of colleges and universities as models of democratic leadership, decision-making and change. We sponsor national conferences, regional meetings, workshops, and working groups.
|
