Back for its second year in Phoenix, Arizona, Sphere Education Initiatives and the University of Arizona Center for the Philosophy of Freedom are pleased to present Foundations of Civic Culture: The Importance of Teachers to Free Speech, Civil Discourse, Economics, and Public Policy on January 26 – 27, 2024.

Flyer with information about the Foundations of Civic Culture event including the date, location, and featured speakers.

World‐​class educators from around the southwest will explore contemporary challenges to free speech and civil discourse in the classroom and address challenging topics like the future of civic education and the growing threat of debt and spending to a prosperous society. This hands‐​on, application‐​focused summit will include interactive panel discussions, expert presentations, and breakout sessions that provide knowledge, tools, and strategies to address pressing issues with nationally renowned scholars and academics. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage with colleagues from the region and beyond.

This year’s summit features a Friday night Salute to Teachers dinner along with a keynote presentation by Romina Boccia. On Saturday, Arizona Rep. Quang Nguyen will deliver a special keynote on the importance of free speech and civil discourse, complemented by a screening of his oral history, Communism in Vietnam, which was produced by the Freedom Center and approved by the Arizona Board of Education for use as a resource to help schools prepare students to be civically responsible and knowledgeable adults. Rep. Nguyen authored the law that created an oral history database that paints portraits of patriotism through compelling first‐​person accounts of other governing philosophies compared to those of the United States.

Benefits

Built especially for high school teachers and administrators, this free event offers the following benefits:

  • 8 hours of professional development
  • Free classroom resources and books
  • 3 meals included
  • $150 stipend upon completion

Event registration and meals are provided at no charge. Attendees receive a stipend and professional development hours. Arizona educators traveling more than 60 miles are also eligible for housing assistance.