Our nation and world face daunting, vexing problems too often exacerbated by an insufficiently educated populace, cultural tribalism, the dramatic erosion of civil discourse, and a reluctance to engage in constructive dialogue. Working together, American higher education can help to build fundamentally stronger communities by developing more educated, engaged, grace-filled, and solutions-oriented citizens.
- Matthew vandenBerg
Activation Plan
Below is an overview of some campus activities:
- Ohio Wesleyan is partnering with the nonprofit Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) to provide online civil discourse training to all students and employees. With the agreement, Ohio Wesleyan is CDI’s most comprehensive liberal arts partner, creating a collaboration that is groundbreaking in higher education.
- The Arneson Institute for Practical Politics and Public Affairs features prominent national and international guest speakers on campus; supports interdisciplinary student and faculty research projects involving local, state, national, and international public policy as well as supporting Ohio Wesleyan University’s Model United Nations and Moot Court teams. It also supports the Civic Arts Review, a journal focusing on the relationships between education and public life.
- OWU hosts the oldest mock presidential convention in American higher education, held by the Arneson Institute and dating back to 1884. It gives students hands-on experience in holding platform hearings, drafting and debating a party platform, and nominating and electing candidates to run for the office of president and vice president.
Matthew vandenBerg
President, Ohio Wesleyan University
Related articles:
61 College Presidents Unite to Advance Civic Preparedness and Uphold Free Expression on U.S. Campuses
Just released – From Polarization to Progress: College Presidents Join Forces
Anticipating More Unrest, Colleges Prioritize Civic Dialogue
College Presidents for Civic Preparedness featured on NPR Weekend Edition
College Presidents for Civic Preparedness featured on the College Uncovered podcast
Higher Education Isn’t Retreating. It’s Rising to the Challenge.
Join the growing coalition of campus leaders urgently committed to collectively restoring higher education’s role in democracy.
Matthew vandenBerg
President, Ohio Wesleyan University
Below is an overview of some campus activities:
- Ohio Wesleyan is partnering with the nonprofit Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) to provide online civil discourse training to all students and employees. With the agreement, Ohio Wesleyan is CDI’s most comprehensive liberal arts partner, creating a collaboration that is groundbreaking in higher education.
- The Arneson Institute for Practical Politics and Public Affairs features prominent national and international guest speakers on campus; supports interdisciplinary student and faculty research projects involving local, state, national, and international public policy as well as supporting Ohio Wesleyan University’s Model United Nations and Moot Court teams. It also supports the Civic Arts Review, a journal focusing on the relationships between education and public life.
- OWU hosts the oldest mock presidential convention in American higher education, held by the Arneson Institute and dating back to 1884. It gives students hands-on experience in holding platform hearings, drafting and debating a party platform, and nominating and electing candidates to run for the office of president and vice president.
Our nation and world face daunting, vexing problems too often exacerbated by an insufficiently educated populace, cultural tribalism, the dramatic erosion of civil discourse, and a reluctance to engage in constructive dialogue. Working together, American higher education can help to build fundamentally stronger communities by developing more educated, engaged, grace-filled, and solutions-oriented citizens.
- Matthew vandenBerg