OPEN TO DEBATE FOUNDATION

OPEN TO DEBATE FOUNDATION OPEN TO DEBATE FOUNDATION ("OPEN TO DEBATE") PRODUCES A WEEKLY SERIES OF PROVOCATIVE AND INFORMATIVE DEBATES ONLINE AND AT LIVE VENUES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. THE GOALS OF THIS INITIATIVE ARE (1) TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE ON OUR MOST DIVISIVE ISSUES, (2) TO PROVIDE A WEEKLY FORUM FOR INTELLIGENT DISCUSSION, GROUNDED IN CIVIL DIALOGUE, FACTS AND INFORMED BY REASONED ANALYSIS, (3) TO TRANSCEND IDEOLOGICAL ARGUMENTS THAT ARE DIVIDING AMERICANS, (4) TO ENCOURAGE RECOGNITION THAT UNDERSTANDING OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS IS WHAT CAN BUILD EMPATHY AND BRIDGE THE DIVIDE, AND (5) TO ENGAGE CITIZENS AS ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN ONE OF THE GREAT PILLARS OF DEMOCRACY: FAIR AND BALANCED DEBATE.