The Thomas C. Wales Public Symposia Program

The objective of the Foundation’s symposia program is to bring together scholars, community leaders and ordinary citizens in open-minded discussions of key public issues. Drawing on the experience of a wide variety of backgrounds, this program will address a number of issues through innovative and inclusive approaches as a means of moving away from entrenched positions. There is no action agenda in mind, no resolutions for anyone to adopt. Rather, the purpose of this initiative is to engage the entire community in public dialogue, combining ideas and resources to create a better understanding and encourage others to be more involved in key issues. The first symposium was held at Town Hall in September 2003, exploring the topic of Capital Punishment within our criminal justice system. Our most recent program: Global Warming: Emitting Solutions - A Symposium on Climate Policy was held at Town Hall on May 9, 2007.

Volunteers are needed as we work on additional symposia programs. If you are interested in joining our symposia planning committee, please contact our Executive Director, Mindy Gardner, at 206.233.2801.

Our most recent symposium was Living Civic Engagement - An Evening of Conversation about Making a Difference. Held on June 24, 2008, the program brought together five past Thomas C. Wales Passionate Citizenship Award honorees for a panel discussion their experiences as extraordinary community leaders.

Phyllis Fletcher of KUOW Public Radio facilitated the discussion.

A special thanks to the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and to Davis Wright Tremaine LLP for helping sponsor this event.