Citizens' Civility Symposium 2010
The Institute for Civility in Government held its first national symposium on Monday, June 21, 2010, bringing national attention to a growing problem while highlighting efforts addressing it. Participants came from across the country and Capitol Hill to the Citizens’ Civility Symposium, held at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC.
This bi-partisan symposium brought together national leaders and citizens from many disciplines who are concerned about the decline of civility in our nation’s civic processes. Together we reflected on the causes for the decline, what is at stake, and what can be done to reverse the negative trends in civic engagement throughout our nation.
The Symposium featured two panels moderated by Institute co-founders Cassandra Dahnke and Tomas Spath. The first panel included elected officials, past and present, who examined the civility crisis on Capitol Hill. This panel featured an introduction and comments by Lee Hamilton. Panel members were Bill Archer, Henry Cuellar, and Jim Leach.
The second panel examined the implications the crisis on Capitol Hill has for our communities across the nation. Members of this panel included P.M. Forni, Bertie Simmons, and Os Guinness.
Eric Gnezda made a musical contribution to the gathering, singing “Is This America” and “Everyone Wins”. The program also included a time for participants to respond to the panel discussions and ask questions of the panelists. A reception immediately followed.