Agenda:Alexandria's Next Program Focuses On Civil Discourse

ALEXANDRIA, VA — There's no question respectful public debate has been on the decline in recent years. That's what Agenda:Alexandria will focus on with its next program.

Agenda:Alexandria, which holds forums on key local issues with various viewpoints, will host "Is Civil Discourse a Dying Art?" on Monday, Oct. 27. The forum will be held at Cowo & Creche, 2034 Eisenhower Ave. 2nd Floor, Alexandria, VA. The pre-program will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the program will last 90 minutes starting at 7 p.m. The event is free for members and $10 for non-members. The program will also be videotaped, with a recording available after the event.

According to Agenda:Alexandria, the forum will address the decline in respectful political debate without getting into specific political issues themselves. Panelists will discuss the role of media and social media and how people can find common ground and respond as individuals and organizations.

Agenda:Alexandria Chair Steve Davidson will moderate the discussion. The panelists include , Kate Woodsome, former Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist of the Washington Post; JoAnn Koob, director of the Liberty & Law Center at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University; Lt. Victor Ignacio of the field operation section at the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office; and Carter Flemming, community bolunteer and activist on Alexandria issues and a 2017 Alexandria Living Legend.

Here's more information from Agenda:Alexandria:

Questions may include: What are the origins of our current social and community divisions? How can we, as a society, differentiate between personal emotions and opinions from verifiable and accurate facts? Are there techniques or personal practices that we can use to de-escalate dialogue to keep discussions reasonable and respectful without personal attacks? Can free speech stay civil? Has our society gotten so soft that it hurts our sensibilities to hear differing opinions? How can a community’s or a nation’s problems be solved if they can’t be honestly, openly, and respectfully addressed and debated? How can we disagree without being disagreeable? Let’s talk about it.

Parking is available on level two of the parking garage on the right-hand side of the building. Drivers should park in the row of spots closest to the glass doors on the second level (marked 197-203 and 209-216 or marked Cowo & Creche). Enter the building through the glass doors on that garage level, as the building has restricted access after business hours.