NYSBA’s Convocation to Safeguard Our Democracy: Making the Case for Civic Education

NYSBA’s Convocation To Safeguard our Democracy: Making the Case for Civic Education

Thursday, May 9, 2024

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

New York State Bar Association

1 Elk Street

Albany, NY 12207

Room: Great Hall and livestreamed to a nearby site.

This event is by invitation only. No on-site registration.

Sponsors: Task Force on 2024 Civics Convocation & the Committee on Law, Youth and Citizenship

Description: Civic education is crucial to the rule of law. The lack of a civically educated and involved citizenry is a threat to judicial independence, separation of powers and constitutional principles. Civility in public discourse is a value we must teach and model for our children and one another. But we face a crisis in civics, generally. Richard Lewis, President of the New York State Bar Association, understands that we have an obligation to help preserve and protect democratic values.

To address the crisis in civics, President Lewis has created a task force to bring together expert speakers and panelists who are leading lights from the worlds of education and law to discuss problems and solutions in a special convocation. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will be our special guest. Appearing virtually from Washington, D.C., Justice Sotomayor will speak at the convocation and answer questions from students.

By holding this full day, in-person event, we hope to reach a wide group of stakeholders who care about civics. The Civics Convocation Task Force will publish a report of the convocation’s findings with recommendations for moving forward.

This event will feature panels on Civics from a National Perspective and Civics in New York State that will engage with an audience of lawyers, jurists, legislators, teachers, parents, school administrators, and most importantly, students. 

Speakers:

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Chief Judge of New York State Rowan D. Wilson

U.S. District Court Judge Mae D’Agostino, Northern District New York

Salamanca High School Social Studies Teacher Justin T. Hubbard, winner of the American Civic Education Teacher Award

Moderators and Program Co-Chairs:

Christopher Riano, President of the Center for Civic Education

Jay Worona, Co-chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Law, Youth and Citizenship

Moderator:

Susan Arbetter, Host of Capital Tonight

Program Co-Chair:

Gail Ehrlich, Co-chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Law, Youth and Citizenship

This event is by invitation only. No on-site registration.