HARTFORD, CT -- Hartford, Connecticut: Connecticut Humanities awarded Everyday Democracy a $1,800 grant to bring critical thinker, conflict mediation expert and founder of Meta-Culture, Ashok Pannikar to Hartford, April 12, 2018 at the Hartford Public Library’s Center for Contemporary Culture, Hartford, CT from 5:30 – 7:30pm.
Democracy is an extraordinary experiment in self-government. However, it is also in serious jeopardy today, both nationally and across the globe. The United States, once seen as the bastion of democracy, is now undergoing ever growing political, social, racial and ethnic divides and these divides are resulting in a societal impatience and cynicism about democracy itself. Can we, as "citizens" in our Democracy, revive the culture of Democracy and renew its promise? This interesting talk will help us discover our true potential as Citizens Demos, “agents of democratic renewal.”
The event, “Citizen Demos: Revisiting Democracy” will engage community and civic leaders, educators, and humanities scholars in a conversation about the culture and values of democracy, the challenges modern-day democracy faces, and our roles as “citizens” in strengthening our democracy. The event agenda will lead with a 45-minute talk by Mr. Panikkar followed by a one-hour facilitated discussion with those in attendance.
According to Valeriano Ramos of Everyday Democracy, “Understanding the values and principles of our Democracy and the challenges it faces, using the humanities as a lens, will help us better define our roles as “citizens” in sustaining a culture of democracy. We are fortunate to have Mr. Panikkar as our guest speaker on this most important topic.”
Mr. Ashok Panikkar has a Master's degree in Critical and Creative Thinking from the University of Massachusetts, Boston and advanced training in Negotiation and Conflict Resolution from leading
institutes in the U.S., such as Harvard Law School and Center for Dispute Resolution, Boulder, Colorado. He has presented well-received papers at professional conferences in India and the US, written for professional journals, and been an invited speaker and presenter at the United Nations, Cardozo Law School, NYU, Regis University, Denver, CO, UMass, Boston and the ABA. He is founder of Meta-Culture, which received the 2010 Outstanding International Leadership Award presented by the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR), USA. He is also the founder of The Public Intelligence Project, a first of its kind independent think tank conducting research and advocacy on democracy, critical thinking, dialogue, and freedom of expression. With this, the project aims to foster a more conducive environment for conflict prevention, participatory democracy and civic engagement.
This event is free and open to the general public, but those who want to attend must pre-register at http://www.123formbuilder.com/form-3529506/Event-Registration-Form or by emailing us at vramos@everyday-democracy.org.
Sponsored by Everyday Democracy, the Connecticut Civic Health Project, and the Connecticut Civic Ambassadors Program. Co-sponsored by the Hartford Public Library. Support for “Citizen Demos: Revisiting Democracy” is made possible by Connecticut Humanities through funding provided by the State of Connecticut. Connecticut Humanities supports cultural and historic organizations that tell the state’s stories, build community, and enrich lives. Learn more by visiting cthumanities.org.
Everyday Democracy is a project of The Paul J. Aicher Foundation, a private operating foundation dedicated to strengthening deliberative democracy and improving the quality of public life in the United States. Since its inception, Everyday Democracy, based in Hartford, CT, has worked with more than 600 communities by providing advice, training, tools and resources. It also partners with national and local organizations to strengthen the field of dialogue and deliberation and promote a stronger, more equitable democracy. Everyday Democracy’s vision is a democracy where all voices are valued, and where participation and racial equity become a permanent part of the way we work as a country at the local, state and national levels.
CT Humanities - Since 1974, Connecticut Humanities has been at the epicenter of programming in support of lifelong learning and capacity building for state heritage organizations. Their mission is to encourage curiosity, understanding and critical thinking, providing leadership through grants, partnerships and collaborative programs. CT Humanities is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Connecticut, Foundations and Individuals. https://cthumanities.org/
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Contact:
Liz Dupont-Diehl
Everyday Democracy
203-667-5956
ldupont-diehl@everyday-democracy.org
Valeriano Ramos
Everyday Democracy
860-727-5917
vramos@everyday-democracy.org
Website: www.everyday-democracy.org