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MEADVILLE, Pa. – April 6, 2010 – The Center for Political Participation and the Civic Engagement Council at Allegheny College have invited approximately 300 colleges and universities to participate in the National Conference of College Democrat and Republican Leaders May 18-19. The purpose of the event is to enhance communication between young Democrats and Republicans, examine civility in politics and establish a high bar for the respectful exchange of ideas.

“After what we’ve seen in Washington recently on the health care issue, conferences such as this are important,” said Daniel M. Shea, director of the Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College. “If colleges and universities don’t step up to address incivility, who will?”

The Allegheny conference will offer sessions on moderation, compromise and problem solving. Student leaders will participate in mock debates, discuss policy advocacy, and critique relevant films. Participants will confront contentious, often polarizing, topics in a workshop setting, while being encouraged to be mindful of opportunities to discover common ground.

According to Shea, the need for a conference on civility emerged as the American health care debate turned ugly in recent months. The robust political activity that surged among youth in the 2008 election already has substantially declined, Shea said, and many young Americans have turned away from active political engagement.

Several colleges are planning to send students to the National Conference of College Democrat and Republican Leaders, including Harvard University, Louisiana State University, Thiel College, the University of Florida and the University of Southern California. The conference is one of a series of events addressing civility that the Center for Political Participation is planning for the coming year

For more information, call the Center for Political Participation at (814) 332-6202 or e-mail program coordinator Mary Solberg at msolberg@allegheny.edu.