Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy to hold national issues forum

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Source: Erika Imbody, 785-532-7252, erika@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Megan Wilson, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Monday, November 6, 2006

INSTITUTE FOR CIVIC DISCOURSE AND DEMOCRACY TO HOLD NATIONAL ISSUES FORUM

MANHATTAN -- An upcoming forum at Kansas State University will address the issues of national security and what role citizens think America should play in securing our future.

K-State's Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy will host the National Issues Forum from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in the K-State Student Union Room 207. The forum is open to public participation. A trained facilitator will moderate the public discussion.

The forum will begin with a brief video introducing the general topic of national security. The facilitator will then lead the group through an active discussion by presenting the overall problem and three or four broad approaches to the problem. Audience members are encouraged to participate and work through the issue by considering each approach, examining what appeals to them or concerns them, and also the costs, consequences and trade-offs.

"This isn't about people presenting to an audience," said Erika Imbody, project coordinator for the institute. "It's about citizens engaging each other in discussion on the topic of national security."

According to Imbody, the institute's goal for the forum is to engage the university community in an active discussion that will seek shared understandings on the topic and search for common ground for action.