Educators, youth and community leaders gather to celebrate and strengthen the civic mission of schools
Salt Lake City, UT—The Utah Coalition for Civic, Character and Service Learning, in partnership with the Utah Commission on Civic and Character Education, the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office, and the Hinckley Institute of Politics, is hosting the Sixth Annual Dialogue on Democracy dinner on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Utah State Capitol rotunda. The featured keynote speaker is former Governor Frank Keating who won notoriety in 1995 for his handling of the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. He is currently the president and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers and has played a leading role in promoting public policies to boost Americans’ retirement security and long-term savings.
The Dialogue on Democracy event will also feature sessions with Governor Keating earlier in the day for high school and university students. Students will also observe a Commission on Strengthening Utah’s Democracy meeting.
The Dialogue on Democracy brings together individuals, organizations and community leaders that support and encourage civic learning and engagement in Utah. “The Dialogue on Democracy is the one event in Utah each year that brings together a diverse group of people and organizations for a conversation about advancing civic engagement,” said Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine M. Durham, who chairs the Coalition. “The civic mission of schools must be restored, revitalized and strengthened. This is vitally important to the future of our state and of our nation.”
The Utah Coalition for Civic, Character, and Service Learning is a network of organizations, agencies, and universities committed to helping schools K-16 accomplish their basic civic mission. It is also a clearinghouse of information and resources on civic education, character education and service learning and works with educators and students—kindergarten through university—to become engaged citizens through signature programs, such as the Dialogue on Democracy.
The Coalition works closely with the Utah Commission on Civic and Character Education, chaired by Lt. Governor Greg Bell, and the Hinckley Institute of Politics’ Director Kirk L. Jowers. Together these entities work to provide leadership for Utah’s commitment to civic and character education in the public schools, institutions of higher education, and the larger community as well as to promote political and civic engagement.
During the dinner, the Utah State Bar will receive the “Civic, Character and Service Learning Award,” which is sponsored by the Utah Commission on Civic and Character Education.