On October 29, 2024, 250 high school juniors and seniors will convene at the University of
Montana 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 will gain essential skills and perspectives for collective
global leadership. They will engage with diverse viewpoints, analyze political systems, refine
their critical thinking abilities, and expand 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 students 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.
Registration will remain open to all Montana schools until capacity is reached. For those
interested in attending, please complete this short survey:

Contact

For more information, please contact Program Officer Carissa Dransfield at
carissa.dransfield@mso.umt.edu