Democracy Forum 2025
In October 2025, 250 high school juniors and seniors convened at the Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ for the 2024 Democracy Forum. This full-day conference is designed to inspire leadership, foster collaboration, and promote civic engagement through interactive sessions led by university faculty and staff. Under the theme “Empowering Voices, Building Stronger Communities Together,” participants gained essential skills and perspectives for collective global leadership. They engaged with diverse viewpoints, analyzed political systems, refined their critical thinking abilities, and expanded their understanding of societal impacts. As Senator Mike Mansfield said, “The greatest strength of a democracy is not in its leaders, but in its citizens.” A democracy’s true power is realized when its citizens are well-informed, empowered, and dedicated to the betterment of society. Central to the Mansfield mission is the belief that tomorrow’s leaders must be both community-oriented and globally-minded, equipped with robust leadership skills, cross-cultural understanding, and a commitment to responsible citizenship. The Democracy Forum prepares the next generation of civic leaders by fostering these qualities and inspiring Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ to think critically, partner with their peers, and develop consequential solutions to today’s challenges.
Information/Registration
The conference is scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in alignment with the school day, exact date for 2025 is still being determined. Registration will remain open to all Montana schools until capacity is reached. For those interested in attending, please contact Logan Castor Parson at logan.parson@mso.umt.edu.
Contact
For more information, please contact Program Officer Logan Castor Parson at logan.parson@mso.umt.edu.