2024 Civic Learning Symposium

The central theme for the 2024 Annual Civic Learning Symposium revolves around the crucial role that dialogue and deliberation play in both our education system and our democracy. In an era marked by polarization and division, fostering open, constructive dialogue and thoughtful deliberation is more important than ever. This theme emphasizes the need to build bridges across diverse perspectives, promote understanding, and cultivate a culture of civic agency. 

• Date & Time: September 27th: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM & September 28th: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Location: Ball State L.A. Pittenger Student Center
• Dress Code: Casual attire is encouraged for all participants to ensure a comfortable learning experience.
• Accommodations: For those requiring overnight stays, we recommend booking rooms at the Ball State Hotel
• Meals Provided: Dinner on Friday, September 27th & Lunch on Saturday, September 28^th. 

Please see the Event Website for more information and updates.

Featured Speakers:

• September 27th, Freeman A. Hrabowski, III: President Emeritus of UMBC was named in 2012 by President Obama to chair the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for African Americans and was named the inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture Speaker by Harvard. In April 2023, The National Academy of Sciences awarded him the Public Welfare Medal, the Academy’s most prestigious award.
• September 28th, Harry Boyte: With a history of service that spans from working directly with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to advising national initiatives on civic renewal, Boyte’s contributions to the field of civic engagement are both profound and far-reaching.

We are proud and honored to announce co-sponsorship of the 2024 Annual Civic Learning Symposium by the Indiana Bar Foundation, the Center on Representative Government at Indiana University, and the Remnant Trust. Their generous support underscores the significance of civic learning and engagement in today’s society and contributes greatly to the enrichment of our symposium.

Representation: We are pleased to confirm that several organizations will be represented at the symposium, including:

• CATO Institute: Known for its influential work in public policy research.
• SPHERE Education Initiative: A project dedicated to empowering educators and administrators through professional development focused on civil, fact-based discourse.
• Sagamore Institute: A think tank committed to innovative public policy research and community engagement.
• Minnesota Humanities Center: An organization that works to enhance community connectivity and understanding through the humanities.
• National Endowment for the Humanities: An independent federal agency that funds humanities programs across the United States.
• Educating for American Democracy (EAD): is a call to action to invest in strengthening history and civic learning,
• James F. Ackerman Center for Democratic Citizenship at Purdue University conducts and sponsors workshops on Project Citizen for area students and teachers.
• Indiana Public Radio: Indiana Public Radio is a network of four stations serving 22 counties in eastern and central Indiana.
• League of Women Voters: is an American nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. 
• Community-Engaged Alliance: home to Indiana’s only organization that works with all colleges across the state to build engaged communities