CommUnity Conference to spotlight civic health, engagement across Wisconsin and beyond

The CommUnity Conference brings together students, community members and civic leaders for a day of dialogue, learning and connection focused on civic health in Wisconsin and beyond. Scan the QR code to register for the conference.

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh will bring together students, community members and civic leaders for a day of dialogue, learning and connection at the upcoming CommUnity Conference, focused on strengthening civic health at the local, state and global levels.

The conference, titled "Civic Health in Wisconsin and Beyond," will be held Monday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Reeve Memorial Union. The event is presented by the Whitburn Center for Governance and Policy Research in partnership with WisACT and is free and open to students and community members, with lunch provided.

Building civic engagement through dialogue and connection

Designed to spark conversation and action around civic engagement, the conference will feature expert speakers, national nonprofit leaders and interactive sessions exploring some of today's most pressing issues.

The conference will feature civic leaders from across Wisconsin and beyond, including former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett and former Congressman Scott Klug, along with national partners such as The Carter Center and Root Change.

Panelists also will include Winnebago County Executive Gordon Hintz, Winnebago Area Literacy Council Executive Director Chu May Paing and Oshkosh Area School District Superintendent Bryan Davis, as well as Mashebe Mushe Subulwa, founder and director of the non-profit SEPO. The discussion will be moderated by Juan Garcia Oyervides, UWO assistant professor of Spanish and director of the Chicana/o and Latinx Studies program.

Attendees can choose from a variety of workshops and panel discussions covering topics such as youth engagement and political polarization, how elections work in Wisconsin, community resilience during times of crisis and approaches to governance. Sessions also will include global perspectives and practical tools for civic participation.

Sessions will include a bipartisan panel explaining how elections work in Wisconsin and exploring ways to strengthen public trust in the electoral process.

For Michael R. Ford, the conference reflects a core goal of the Whitburn Center: encouraging thoughtful engagement across perspectives.

Attendees will be exposed to diverse ideas with representation from across the political spectrum, he said.

"We can still govern in Wisconsin and that begins with getting people engaged," Ford said.

Paul Van Auken, Professor of Sociology and Environmental Studies, WisACT Coordinator for the Whitburn Center, said the conference will combine strong content with opportunities for connection.

With sessions led by civic leaders from across Wisconsin and national partners, participants will explore issues such as elections, polarization and community problem-solving.

"We hope people take what they learn and use it to make a positive impact in their communities," Van Auken said. "But just as important will be the connections and relationships that form among people doing this work."

The conference also places a strong emphasis on engaging younger people in civic and political life, with expected participation from college and high school students.

The day will conclude with a social hour and awards celebration at Beckets, offering additional opportunities for networking and reflection.

Registration is free, and participants are encouraged to sign up in advance.

For more information:

CommUnity Conference

Wisconsin Alliance for Civic Trust
Whitburn Center for Governance and Policy Research