Event Title
Panel #1 - Improving Democratic Engagement: How Do You Create The Right Environment for Local Democracy?
Start Date
25-2-2016 10:00 AM
End Date
25-2-2016 11:45 AM
Description
Political differences are best resolved when people treat each other in a "civil" manner. Unfortunately, the public square has coarsened, with one result being that more and more people are exiting the system -- by not voting, and by declining to participate in public meetings and conversation. This panel will discuss ways local institutions (e.g., service clubs, business, family, religious communities, media and entertainment institutions) can strengthen civil society and foster democracy, especially in contexts where there is low voter turnout and disengagement with local government decision-making.
Moderator: Fred Smoller, Associate Professor of Political Science, Chapman University.
Tom Tait, Mayor of Anaheim.
Rick Cole is the City Manager of the City of Santa Monica, California.
Matt Leighninger is Vice President for Public Engagement, and Director of the Yankelovich Center for Public Judgment, at Public Agenda.
Antonio Gonzalez is President of the William C. Velasquez Institute.
Panel #1 - Improving Democratic Engagement: How Do You Create The Right Environment for Local Democracy?
Political differences are best resolved when people treat each other in a "civil" manner. Unfortunately, the public square has coarsened, with one result being that more and more people are exiting the system -- by not voting, and by declining to participate in public meetings and conversation. This panel will discuss ways local institutions (e.g., service clubs, business, family, religious communities, media and entertainment institutions) can strengthen civil society and foster democracy, especially in contexts where there is low voter turnout and disengagement with local government decision-making.
Moderator: Fred Smoller, Associate Professor of Political Science, Chapman University.
Tom Tait, Mayor of Anaheim.
Rick Cole is the City Manager of the City of Santa Monica, California.
Matt Leighninger is Vice President for Public Engagement, and Director of the Yankelovich Center for Public Judgment, at Public Agenda.
Antonio Gonzalez is President of the William C. Velasquez Institute.