2017 Munro Seminar for Civic Education

The fifth annual Munro Seminar for Civic Education was held on November 1-2. Keynote speaker Sarah van Gelder, co-editor of Yes! Magazine, spoke at the Majestic Ballroom in downtown Bellingham on November 1st. She told stories from her book, The Revolution Where You Live, focusing on the ways community stakeholders come together to rebuild local economies, sustain the environment, and resolve racial conflict. The following day two panels were held on Western’s campus. They focused on the role of community stakeholders and political parties in finding a middle ground in our community and political life.  Below is a schedule of seminar presentations and links to audio files.

Wednesday, November 1

7 pm, Keynote Address

Sarah Van Gelder, "The Revolution Where You Live"

To watch a video recording of the keynote address, please click here.

Thursday, Nov. 2 

10-11:30 am, Panel discussion

“Community Stakeholders in Rebuilding Consensus”

Moderator: Greg Winter, executive director, Opportunity Council, Bellingham

Panelists:

  • Tim Ballew, Chair, Lummi Indian Business Council
  • Jay Julius, Lummi Indian Business Council
  • Crina Hoyer, Executive Director, Resources for Sustainable Community
  • Newton Breiter, Lake Union Partners, Seattle
  • Tiffany Turner, Washington State Budget and Policy Center

To watch a video recording of this panel discussion, please click here.

Noon-1 pm, Light Lunch and Q & A with Sarah Van Gelder

2-3:30 pm, Panel discussion

“The Role of Political Parties in Rebuilding Consensus”  

Moderator: Vernon Johnson, Director of the Munro Institute, WWU Professor of Political Science

Panelists:

  • Mario Brown, Partner at B&B Strategies and Chair of the Snohomish County Democratic Central Committee
  • Kirby Wilbur, KVI Talk Radio Host and former Chairman of the Washington State Republican Party
  • Mark A. Smith, Professor of Political Science, University of Washington
  • Amir Abedi, WWU Professor of Political Science and Department Chair

Watch a video recording of this panel discussion.

For more information about the 2017 Seminar, please contact Vernon Johnson, Western Washington University Professor of Political Science and Program Director for the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education at Vernon.Johnson@wwu.edu or 360-650-4874.