On April 1 at 4 p.m., Dr. Richard Haass will give an Elliot Stein Lecture in Ethics at the Emerson Auditorium in the Knight Center. Please RSVP.
Haass, a veteran diplomat and respected scholar of international relations, will speak on his book, The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens, and the question it poses: What do we owe one another?
“While our eyes are on the 2024 elections, the actions and participation of individual citizens also shape our democracy and our country’s future,” Executive Director of Gephardt Institute Stephanie Kurtzman said. “Voting is important, but it’s not sufficient for a thriving democracy. Richard Haass’ lecture will illuminate our responsibilities as citizens and serve as a call to action for all of us.”
Haass is the former United States Director of Policy Planning. Prior to this, he served as president of the Council on Foreign Relations as well as worked closely with the George W. Bush administration as an advisor to Secretary of State Colin Powell. Dr. Haass’ seminar is a part of the 2024 Engage Democracy election event series in which all who attend are welcome to learn more about how to actively participate in politics in light of the election year.
“Haass’ book recounts relevant history – from politics to economics, free speech and much more – and shares ten obligations we can undertake to help bolster democracy … I anticipate Dr. Haass will speak to how students can become practitioners of democracy as well as the responsibilities that institutions – like WashU – have to promote democracy,” Civic Engagement Manager Otto Brown said.
Engage Democracy 2024 will engage students, faculty, and staff with election-related events to increase voter education while adding to the culture of civic and community engagement at WashU. Events such as Haass’ lecture can be found at in the Engage Democracy 2024 series.