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.

Values-Based Leadership: Mapping Agreement, Understanding Conflict

December 10, 2019 | 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.

Equity in City/County Reform: Political Representation and Criminal Justice

July 11, 2019 | Missouri History Museum

FOCUS teamed up with Forward Through Ferguson, the Equity Indicators Project, Missouri History Museum and the United Way of Greater St. Louis to explore the city/county issue and racial equity. 

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.