"Dialogue for Democracy" – April 29, 2002

Event Mission: To involve the nation in a dialogue with leading intellectuals, writers, and activists on topics of current social and political relevance.

History: "Dialogue for Democracy" developed as a result of the community reaction to a speech given by Patch Adams at Mt. Lebanon High School (see background.doc for more information). The community’s reactions to the issues raised in the speech are representative of many American communities. In order to respond to these reactions and involve the community and the nation, we have invited Patch Adams and diverse panel of leading intellectuals for a "Dialogue on Democracy."

Panel: The panel will consist of leading intellectuals, writers, and activists. Confirmed members include: Patch Adams(bio), Susan Parenti, Helen Caldicott, Michael Parenti, Francis Moore Lappe, and David Korten.

Working Format:
1. The panel members will present issues to the audience in 10-15 speeches. Each panel member will have the chance to speak, although the lectures will be split into two sections, each followed by 50 minute periods of dialogue.
2. During the dialogue sections, audience members and people who have submitted questions via the web will field issues to the panel. The questions will be followed by in-depth conversation and analysis.
3. 3.5 hour projected time frame:

5 minutes of introduction and format explanation
20 minutes Patch Adams
15 minutes Speaker 1
15 minutes Speaker 2
50 minutes open dialogue
15 minutes Speaker 3
15 minutes Speaker 4
15 minutes Speaker 5
50+ minutes open dialogue

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Monday April 29, 2002
7:00 –10:30 p.m.
David Lawrence Hall, University of Pittsburgh (seating 1000)

1. Free and open to the public

2. Print and television coverage (local/national)

3. Webcast; video on demand

4. Produced media: spoken word album, documentary film

Auxilary Events

1. Possible speaking appearances at CMU campus and on CMU radio.

2. Zfilms or Zi will show films during the month prior to the event to provide

background to the campus and local community. Examples include: "The Real

Patch Adams" and "If You Love This Planet" (Academy Award winning

documentary based on Helen Caldicott’s book of the same title). See the Zfilms

website: LINK

Zi – Lead Organizer
Thomas Merton Center
Delphian Internet (web hosting)
Pittsburgh Digital (professional recording services)
Indira Nair, Vice Provost for Education, Carnegie Mellon University BIO

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"I am against war, against violence, against violent revolution, for peaceful settlement of differences, for nonviolent but nevertheless radical changes. Change is needed, and violence will not really change anything: at most it will only transfer power from one set of bull-beaded authorities to another."  Thomas Merton
© Thomas Merton Center 2002