The Karsh Institute of Democracy announces full Democracy360 program and welcomes VPM as official streaming partner

The University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy today announced the complete program and new speakers for Democracy360, a free event from Oct. 19–21 in Charlottesville, VA, with The Atlantic as the official media partner. 

New additions to the impressive multi-day schedule include former federal appellate court judge J. Michael Luttig discussing the challenges facing democratic institutions and the rule of law with The Atlantic’s Adam Harris; a conversation about the state of the free press with The New Yorker's Susan Glasser, Freedom House’s Michael Abramowitz, PBS NewsHour’s Amna Nawaz, and The Atlantic’s Michael Powell; and a number of student-focused events, including a pitch competition aimed at generating ideas to promote democracy and civic engagement on Grounds. The full program lineup of nearly 40 events is live and open for registration.

“The full program and slate of speakers for our inaugural Democracy360 reflects a truly outstanding lineup of thought-provoking conversations, diverse points of view, and remarkable minds across many disciplines,” said Melody Barnes, executive director of the Karsh Institute.

In addition to the exciting new sessions and speakers announced, the Karsh Institute is pleased to welcome VPM as the streaming partner of Democracy360.

“I’m thrilled VPM is partnering with us to bring these important conversations to audiences everywhere,” continued Barnes. “Whether you’re joining us in person in Charlottesville or virtually, my hope is that Democracy360 provides you with opportunities to listen to and learn from others, to engage with people who hold different views, and to explore new ideas about the future of our democracy.”

Five of the conversations taking place at the Paramount Theater will be livestreamed on VPM’s YouTube, and recordings of all Paramount Theater conversations will be available in the same place following Democracy360. Sessions that will be livestreamed are “Big Tech's Effect on Democracy,” “Public Media and Democracy,” “Stories of America: Democracy, Identity, and Culture,” “Covering the White House,” and “A Global Imperative: Free Press, Free Flow of Ideas.”

“VPM is pleased to serve as the streaming partner for the inaugural Democracy360. As public media, we take seriously the responsibility to provide free access to these important conversations about the future of our democracy, connecting citizens across the country to the exchange of various viewpoints and ideas,” said Jayme Swain, President and CEO of VPM and the Virginia Foundation for Public Media.

With the full program comes more than 60 newly announced speakers, including The Atlantic’s Elaina Plott Calabro and Conor Friedersdorf, World Debate Champion Bo Seo, Walter Kim, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, Esau McCaulley, opinion writer for The New York Times, Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, and many others. 

Democracy360 is hosted and produced by the Karsh Institute in partnership with schools and units across UVA, including the Center for Politics, College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, Karsh Center for Law and Democracy, and the Miller Center of Public Affairs. 

All Democracy360 events are free and open to the public, but registration is required to attend. Event seating is first come, first served. To request a press credential, please contact Erin Tör (erin.tor@virginia.edu).