信誉最好的网投十大平台 recently provided an opportunity for students, 教师, and staff members to attend the 康涅狄格论坛 程序, “Liz Cheney in Conversation with David Ignatius: On Defending Democracy and Finding a Path Forward.” The sold-out event was held at 哈特福德’s Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts on 3月14日.
The week after the forum, Trinity President Joanne Berger-Sweeney invited those who attended from the College community to reflect on the conversation as part of the 弥合分歧 系列, which promotes small group discussions about challenging topics that shape our viewpoints but also may divide our society.
One of the students in attendance was 罗斯•菲利, who is pursuing a master’s degree in public policy at Trinity. Ferrie also is a staff member in Trinity’s Advancement Office. Her personal reflection on the event:
I was interested in attending this evening at the 康涅狄格论坛 because I believe that allowing students to take advantage of these important conversations and events is pivotal to liberal arts education.
Liz Cheney is a former U.S. Congresswoman from Wyoming (2017-2023) and served as vice chair of the select committee investigating the January 6, 2021, 起义. David Ignatius is an award-winning 华盛顿邮报》 columnist and author, and is an expert on national security, 网络战争, artificial intelligence, and the spread of misinformation.
On stage at the Bushnell, the two panelists discussed Cheney’s upbringing as a daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, her journey into her political career, 还有她的书, Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning. 双方都同意.S. politics today seem more divided than ever.
切尼说, “For the country to get back on solid footing, we need to demand more from our politicians, from our democratic process.她补充说, as we are now in an election year, it is vital for people of all demographics to register to vote and be active participants in our government.
Several days after the Forum, Trinity President Joanne Berger-Sweeney invited members of the College community who attended to have an opportunity to talk about individual takeaways as part of 弥合分歧.
“This new 系列 will empower our small residential college community to come together, bridge divides across a range of identities and ideologies, and reject far-too-common paradigms that unnecessarily increase tensions between groups,” said Berger-Sweeney.
We discussed the differing points of view between the moderator and the former Congresswoman and how they were still having a productive conversation. It can be difficult to have such strong holds on one’s beliefs and engage with someone who adamantly opposes your own thinking. While it can feel unnatural or uncomfortable, this is a skill we can practice by inviting ourselves into these types of discussions. The goal should be to listen and hear where this person is coming from. The conclusion of these conversations does not have to be an agreement; it often is not. It is also important to always be seeking out knowledge from various viewpoints and coming to your own conclusions.
Something I am learning in my public policy classes, as well as in this discussion with President Berger-Sweeney and classmates, is that social and political changes can feel big and out of reach. When we see these problems at the federal level, we can feel so far from that discussion, like our own civic power is not impactful. Trinity has the benefit of being in 哈特福德, so our access to the capital city allows us to be very in tune with opportunity for change.
In my “State and Local Policy” class, we are learning about the great importance of local government. Change begins locally, and by getting involved and knowing what policies are being proposed, you can be better informed about what your community will look like and create desired change. It’s a way to become an active participant in government, as Cheney encouraged.
剩下的 康涅狄格论坛 程序s in this year’s season are “Being Human in an Age of AI: Debating Advances and Ethics” on April 17 and “Chefs! Top Chefs Dish on Food, Flavor, and Culture” on May 21.
