04/01 - Time: 6:30-8:15 p.m.
Connecticut Town Meeting
"Education Now. Prosperity Tomorrow. Growing Connecticut's Future." is a series of four traditional, New England-style open Town Meetings, developed by a broad statewide coalition, designed to set in motion a statewide conversation on the subject. The goal is to engage policy makers and regular citizens in helping to set a course that will enhance our state's future. The Town Meetings will be followed by a culminating live discussion on CPTV and an accompanying documentary (see below).
Why?
Quality education has long been Connecticut's fundamental infrastructure -- human capital, our state's number-one resource. The Town Meeting series begins with the fundamental question: Why is education important to Connecticut's future? It then moves on to explore the questions and provide some answers. You are invited to participate in this critical conversation squarely focused on the well-being of our State of Connecticut.
When?
- Monday, March 24 @ Western Connecticut State University
- Tuesday, March 25 @ Central Connecticut State University
- Monday, March 31 @ Eastern Connecticut State University
- Tuesday, April 1 @ Southern Connecticut State University
Individuals are asked to arrive by 6:30. The Town Meetings run from 6:45 to 8:15. Moderator for the Town Meeting series is veteran Connecticut broadcaster Ann Baldwin, formerly of NBC30.
Who?
There will be four different panelists at each of the Town Meetings, with a brief lead-in video highlighting some of the striking statistics that frame this important statewide conversation and featuring the state's elected leadership.
Panelists include leaders of business and industry; education, labor, and community organizations; economists, and advocates. Audience members include citizens from all walks of life who are interested in Connecticut's future -- many will add to the conversation, others will learn about the issues and get the facts. There will be considerable time for discussion from the audience -- this is not a lecture series, but town meetings meant to engage citizens across the state in a sustained effort to highlight the critical importance of education, at all levels, to Connecticut's economic vibrancy and quality of life.
Where?
The town meetings at Western, Central, Eastern, and Southern Connecticut State universities will be taped by Connecticut Public Broadcasting, and portions will be aired on CPTV as part of a culminating live discussion, highlighting the points raised during the four town meetings and advancing the conversation. The televised discussion, tentatively scheduled to air live on April 9, will include a guest panel and audience.
That culminating live Town Meeting, titled "Today's Children in Tomorrow's World," will be followed on CPTV later this spring by an accompanying hour-long documentary on the issue, currently being researched and produced by Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker Jennifer Boyd. Tentative airdate for the documentary is mid-June. The programs on CPTV are part of the "Connecting Our Communities" series, developed with the support of underwriting businesses, organizations, and agencies.
Who?
Participating organizations in the Town Meeting series include: Connecticut Business & Industry Association, Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, State Office for Workforce Competitiveness, American Federation of Teachers, Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, AFSCME-Council 4, Northeast Utilities Foundation, Connecticut Health & Education Facilities Authority, Capitol Region Council of Governments, State Board of Education, Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network, and the Connecticut State University System (CSUS).
How?
For additional information, please visit the website www.ct.edu and click on the "Education Now. Prosperity tomorrow." logo. Details on panelists, relevant statistical and demographic material, and key links to organizations with specific expertise will be provided and updated as available.
Location: Adanti Student Center Ballroom (wheelchair accessible)
Directions: http://www.southernct.edu/aboutscsu/map/
Contact Information: n/a, n/a
