about democracy matters.

Democracy Matters: Building Social Capital Through Public Dialogue, is a monthly series of community forums, debates, documentaries, and guest lectures. Live events will be webcast. Interactive activities on this website will include blogs, online forums and discussion groups. Eventually, the series could grow beyond a monthly series to a broader civic engagement initiative that could include special student events; short-term, focused series; book discussion groups; and other events. Founded on the values embraced by CPACS, the overall goal of the Democracy Matters will be to build social capital by providing meaningful opportunities for the university and local communities to engage in an ongoing, respectful exchange of ideas.

Democracy Matters will feature local experts, national speakers, panels, and documentaries, and will engage audiences in lively discussions and question-and-answer sessions. Topics will be broad-ranging, focusing on critical issues such as:

• local, state, and federal policy choices
• social welfare
• sustainability of the nation’s democratic, economic, nonprofit, and civic structures
• the challenges of meeting the needs of a diverse populace
• political and civic leadership

Please contact us if you have an idea you would like to see implemented through Democracy Matters.