The Program for Public Discourse strives to foster democratic citizenship by building rhetorical capacities for public deliberation. We believe reasoned discourse is a cornerstone of civic life and essential to the production of knowledge. Since our inception in 2019, we have partnered with organizations across the university and the broader community to build vibrant spaces for citizens to reason together about important issues.

The Agora Fellowship allows students to experiment with ideas, test competing perspectives, and facilitate public forums for the student body. The Abbey Speaker Series invites dynamic thought leaders tackling some of the most challenging issues of our day to model constructive disagreement for the general public. Faculty workshops showcase pedagogical research and provide instructors resources to further integrate deliberative practices into the classroom. Additional programming and events, such as the Annual Carolina Speech Competition, help cultivate a spirit of civic discourse across the campus. Finally, our community engagement provides civic organizations with the deliberative tools to serve Carolina and beyond. 

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