A National Symposium Series on Democracy

A National Symposium Series on Democracy produced by the UVA Center for Politics and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy 

“Democracy in Perilous Times: Unprecedented Challenges and Controversies” will host nationally recognized speakers such as Martin Luther King, III; Republican strategist Karl Rove; former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Donna Brazile; political commentator Ana Navarro; CNN’s Jim Acosta; Brit Hume, Senior Political Analyst, Fox News; Rep. Adam Schiff (D, CA-28); and others. The series will also include visiting international delegations from Mongolia, Bolivia, and Peru, as well as the 20th annual Youth Leadership Initiative national student mock election and the national premiere of CHARLOTTESVILLE, a two-hour television documentary on the events of Aug. 11-12, 2017, produced in partnership with the PBS Community Idea Stations.

“Restoring faith in the American political system, and in democracy as an institution, is not a job for another people or another time,” said Center for Politics Director Larry J. Sabato. “It is today’s challenge. And while we know we can’t solve it alone, we hope this ambitious national series can serve as a springboard for other serious discussions and related efforts.”

“The partnership provides an opportunity to leverage the Batten School’s unique multidisciplinary approach to training the next generation of public policy leaders with the Center’s commitment to civic education and political participation,” Batten School Dean Allan C. Stam said. “Our collaboration is beneficial to the entire University community and comes at a critical time as we approach the national mid-term elections.”