Tuesday,
November 10, 2026

McNamaraAlumni Center

200 SE Oak St,
Minneapolis, MN 55455

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ALL ARE WELCOME

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER

YOUR VOICE BELONGS HERE

ALL ARE WELCOME MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER YOUR VOICE BELONGS HERE

Join us for a nonpartisan, solutions-focused symposium about the future of democracy

One week after the election, join students, educators, community members, public servants, and business and civic leaders to explore what comes next for our democracy.

Bringing together an expected 400+ participants from across the Midwest, this nonpartisan symposium welcomes people across political perspectives for conversations about election results, media and public trust, voting rights and representation, and working across differences.

Your ideas belong in the conversation, that’s why this event is free to the public. Reserve your seat today!

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Agenda

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Our Focus This Year

A CALL TO ACTION

This is not another conversation about broken systems—it is a launchpad for tangible civic solutions.

At a time of deep division, declining public trust, and growing pressure on democratic institutions, the symposium asks an important question:

How do we move from concern to action?

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Speaker spotlight

Jelani Cobb

Dean of the Columbia Journalism School & Henry R. Luce Professor of Journalism
Adam Kinzinger

Former Congressman, CNN Political Commentator & New York Times Bestselling Author

AGENDA

Join us for an opportunity to bring together students and educators across generations and perspectives to create an inclusive space for those who understand democracy differently.

  
    
        Time
        Session
        Theme
      

    
        7:30–8:20 AM
        Arrival, Check-In &
Community Breakfast
        Connect with attendees and
community partners
      

        8:30–8:45 AM
        Opening:
The Moment Before Us
        The stakes for democracy and
the day ahead
      

        8:55–9:40 AM
        Panel 1: What Happened—
and What Comes Next?
        2026 election results, turnout
and lessons learned
      

        9:45–10:30 AM
        Featured
Democracy Address
        Courage,
truth and action
      

        10:35–11:15 AM
        Panel 2:
Who Controls the Story?
        Media, misinformation
and public trust
      

        11:20–12:00 PM
        Panel 3:
Who Counts?
        Voting rights and
representation
      

        12:05–12:45 PM
        Panel 4:
The Work Ahead
        Building democracy
across difference
      

        12:50–1:00 PM
        Closing Charge: Democracy
Is What We Do Next
        Turning conversation
into civic action
      

        1:00–2:00 PM
        Closing
Reception
        Community connection
and networking
      

  

Time	Session	Theme
7:30–8:20 AM	Arrival, Check-In & Community Breakfast	Connect with attendees and community partners
8:30–8:45 AM	Opening: The Moment Before Us	The stakes for democracy and the day ahead
8:55–9:40 AM	Panel 1: What Happened— and What Comes Next?	2026 election results, turnout and lessons learned
9:45–10:30 AM	Featured Democracy Address	Courage, truth and action
10:35–11:15 AM	Panel 2: Who Controls the Story?	Media, misinformation and public trust
11:20–12:00 PM	Panel 3: Who Counts?	Voting rights and representation
12:05–12:45 PM	Panel 4: The Work Ahead	Building democracy across difference
12:50–1:00 PM	Closing Charge: Democracy Is What We Do Next	Turning conversation into civic action
1:00–2:00 PM	Closing Reception	Community connection and networking

The symposium is designed to move beyond partisan debate and instead create meaningful dialogue around the future of elections, civic participation, and democratic governance.