Freedom on the Net – A Global Overview of Human Rights in the Digital Age
60 South Lincoln St, Washington, PAAdrian Shahbaz will present findings from Freedom House’s annual Freedom on the Net report, which chronicles the global rise in censorship, surveillance, and media manipulation.
The Democracy Crisis in Hong Kong:
Special Report from Nathan Law
60 South Lincoln St, Washington, PA
Nathan Law (Kwun-chung) joined us for last year’s Symposium on Democracy to share the story of the populist mass movement to protect democratic freedoms in Hong Kong. Since Mr. Law’s last visit to W&J, the central Chinese government in Beijing has imposed the National Security Law resulting in the elimination of basic freedoms and the…
Leadership in Unprecedented Times
60 South Lincoln St, Washington, PAAs election officials across the country have ensured the integrity of the 2020 general election, they have faced intense political pressure and threats on their and their family members’ lives. Through all of this, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has been a thoughtful and leading voice in the national conversation about ensuring secure and…
Eyewitness Reflections on the Capitol Insurrection, Biden Inauguration and Other Historic Events
60 South Lincoln St, Washington, PAPat Benic is a 1970 graduate of W&J who has served as a news photographer and photo editor/director for UPI and Reuters for more than 45 years. He was present in the House of Representatives Chamber during the insurrection of Jan. 6, and photographed the last four presidential inaugurations. Based in Asia and Europe in…
Understanding White Supremacy | Decoding the Actions of the White Power Movement
60 South Lincoln St, Washington, PAThe Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 was the largest deliberate mass casualty on American soil between Pearl Harbor and 9/11. Yet unlike those actions, most people don’t understand what that attack was, and what it meant. It was not the work of “lone wolves,” but rather the crescendo of a string of violent attacks perpetrated by…
Closing Remarks from W&J President John C. Knapp
60 South Lincoln St, Washington, PAWashington & Jefferson College President John C. Knapp, Ph.D., will wrap up a day of speakers and give his final message to the guests of the 2021 Symposium on Democracy.
The Fall of Democracy in Afghanistan: First-Hand Perspectives
James David Ross Family Recreation Center 60 South Lincoln St, Washington, PAThe withdrawal of the United States from Kabul, Afghanistan, in August 20021 brought an end to a 20-year effort by the U.S. to establish a democratic Afghan republic.
Tolerating the Enemy Within: The Normalization of Mob Violence
James David Ross Family Recreation Center 60 South Lincoln St, Washington, PAOver the course of American history, different groups have been essentially abandoned in times of social and civil difficulty, as legislators, law enforcement, and others symbolizing the guardrails of democracy have either looked the other way or, worse, contributed to the problem. This keynote will consider examples of this throughout history, including the normalization of…
Global Threats to Democracy
Allen Ballroom, Rossin Campus Center 60 South Lincoln St, Washington, PAThe closing session of this year’s Symposium on Democracy is entitled “Global Threats to Democracy” and will involve all attendees in an interactive exploration of the situation in the Ukraine. The 4 p.m. program in the Ballroom will begin with a virtual presentation by Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, Executive Vice President of Freedom House, the leading…
Soul of a Citizen
Olin Theater 285 E Wheeling St., Washington, PAWelcome remarks by: Dr. John C. Knapp Introduction of Speaker: Dr. Mary Ryan Paul Loeb will talk about how ordinary citizens and students in particular can make their voices heard and actions count in a time when we’re told neither matter. He will address: how people get involved in larger community issues and what stops…
Country First: Defending Democracy and Defeating Toxic Tribalism
James David Ross Family Recreation Center 60 South Lincoln St, Washington, PALOCATION: James David Ross Family Recreation Center Welcome remarks by: Neil Pandit Introduction of Speaker: Dr. John C. Knapp Congressman Kinzinger recounts his time in public service and his hopeful vision for the future of our country. Pulling from his six terms in the House of Representatives, Congressman Kinzinger brings the audience through…
Agency for the Common Good: How Individuals, Social Movements and Institutions Can Positively Influence Democracy
James David Ross Family Recreation Center 60 South Lincoln St, Washington, PALocation: J.D. Ross Recreation Center Welcome remarks by: Dr. John C. Knapp Introduction of Speaker 1: Dr. John C. Knapp Dr. David Seigel - Academic freedom is under assault. Hardly a day passes without news of yet another state legislative bill or policy initiative designed to restrict, suppress, or otherwise control curricular content and…