Realizing the promise of democracy
We bring people together to explore and build solutions to the greatest challenges facing democracy.
October 15-17, 2025 | Charlottesville, VA
Democracy360
Three days of bold ideas, engaging conversations, and visionary thinking.
Our People
Our Work
Events
Join the Conversation: A ‘Braver Angels’ Debate
Bryan Paul
In this highly participatory Democracy360 session, you’re invited to take part in a Braver Angels debate—a structured dialogue in which students and community members explore opposing views with respect, curiosity, and a spirit of shared learning.
Building the American Dream: Work, Tech, and Community in a Shifting Economy
Yoni Appelbaum, Jamelle Bouie, Oren Cass, Annie Lowrey
Through contrasting perspectives, speakers explore what opportunity means in 21st-century America—examining economic mobility, the changing nature of work, the rise of new technologies, and the evolving foundations of our social contract.
Washington Week with The Atlantic @D360
Jeffrey Goldberg, Tom Nichols, Vivian Salama, Nancy Youssef
PBS News’ weekly news analysis series comes to The Paramount! Moderator Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, is joined at the roundtable by Atlantic staff writers Tom Nichols, Vivian Salama, and Nancy Youssef to provide analysis of the week’s major news stories.
Looking for past events?
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Ken Burns’ New Documentary Kicks off Karsh Institute’s ‘Democracy360’
The film, featuring a UVA professor, opens a three-day event hosted by the Karsh Institute of Democracy that will bring people together to examine how America’s founding ideals continue to shape its future.
news.virginia.edu
Two Organizations Are Leading a Charge for Local Civic Engagement
Events like Democracy360 are essential for putting together the pieces of the collective American future. “Almost everything we hold to be true now was once an offensive idea held by the minority,” says panelist Sarah Isgur. “If we can’t teach the next generation how to debate ideas, this experiment will fail regardless of anything else we do.”
c-ville.com
Democracy360: Imagining the Next 250 Years of American Democracy
As Americans raise urgent questions about the health and direction of democracy, the Karsh Institute’s signature event brings together voices from a variety of perspectives to confront these questions, wrestle with competing ideas, and envision a democracy strong enough to thrive for generations to come.
Storytelling, Sound, and the Soul of Democracy
Democracy360 speakers Beth Macy and Mike Ellison explore the critical relationship between democracy and the arts.