The Thomas C. Wales Foundation
Public Symposia Program

The objective of the Foundation’s symposia program is to bring together experts, community leaders and ordinary citizens in open-minded discussions of key public issues. By convening expert panelists with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives, this program gives the public a chance to weigh for themselves divergent but well-reasoned points of view. There is no action agenda in mind and there are no resolutions for adoption. Rather, the purpose of this initiative is to engage the entire community in civil dialogue and foster development of durable inclusive solutions.

On March 4-5, 2011 we held a symposium on mental health: Fighting Stigma, Finding Solutions. Speakers included: Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Jessie Close of BringChange2Mind, as well as 25 other local, state, and national advocates on the issues of mental health.

To see a video of portions of the program and read a live blog of the proceedings, see www.fightingstigma.blogspot.com.

Topics of previous TCWF symposia:

• Gang Violence: Real Problems and Real Solutions for Puget Sound
• Living Civic Engagement - An Evening of Conversation about Making a Difference
• Global Warming: Emitting Solutions - A Symposium on Climate Policy
• Predicting Tomorrow Today with Genetic Testing - Ethical, Social and Legal Implications of DNA Testing
• DNA, Death Penalty and Due Process