As a nonpartisan convener and facilitator, FOCUS’ civic engagement forums provide opportunities to learn about and discuss key regional issues. In the past year, more than 1,600 community members and leaders attended a FOCUS forum.

Bringing together diverse perspectives, our forums offer:

• Access to education and resources on important civic issues;
• Space to engage in dialogue and understanding of opposing viewpoints; and
• Connection with other individuals who have an interest in the issue and leaders working in that space.

Many of our forums are free and open to the public.

Interested in partnering on or sponsoring a future forum? Contact Dr. Wally Siewert, Director of Civic Engagement, at (314) 657-4026 or by email.

Being a Change Agent in a Divided Nation

March 29, 2019 | University of Missouri – St. Louis

FOCUS hosted the 7th Annual Public Values Symposium in partnership with UMSL’s Community Innovation and Action Center. This year’s theme explored what it means to be a change agent in a divided nation, leading across political and ideological lines, and featured keynote speakers William Kristol and Sarah Kendzior.

Prosecutors and the Future of Public Safety in St. Louis

January 24, 2019 | Missouri History Museum

Nearly 300 FOCUS alumni and community members turned out for a discussion on the role of prosecutors in our region, featuring St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell, City of St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, U.S. Attorney for the Missouri Eastern District Jeff Jensen and St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney Tim Lohmar.

Leadership, Politics & Values: Mapping Agreement, Understanding Conflict

December 17, 2018 | FOCUS St. Louis

FOCUS Director of Civic Engagement Dr. Wally Siewert led an interactive workshop for FOCUS members and alumni on how to have difficult political conversations, exploring real-world moral dilemmas and discussing strategies for framing public discussions around values.

Leadership, Ethics & Political Parties

May 31, 2018 | University of Missouri-St. Louis

As part of the 6th Annual Public Ethics Conference, a cohort of elected officials, academics, lawyers, candidates, students, and community members gathered for a bipartisan conversation about the proper and ideal role of political parties in our democracy.

The Future of Policing in St. Louis: A Civic Leadership Conversation

January 30, 2018 | Missouri History Museum

With a new slate of public safety leadership at the helm in the City of St. Louis, FOCUS hosted a conversation on issues of policing in the community.