Is A Changing America Ready To Care For Its Elderly?
The annual Citizen University conference brings together community leaders, artists and activists to discuss the art and practice of citizenship. Their motto is “Let’s Do Democracy!”
The gathering evolved out of the work of the Guiding Lights Network, founded by author and educator Eric Liu in 2005. The theme this year was Citizen Power Now. To that end, participants focused on best practices for problem solving in a climate of political polarization.
Labor organizer Ai-jen Poo gave the keynote address, “The Future of Elder Care.”
Poo is the director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. She received a MacArthur "genius award" in 2014. Her book “The Age of Dignity: Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America” was published this year.
Following her speech, Poo joined Carmen Rojas of The Workers Lab, Susie Young of SEIU, Silvia Gonzalez of Casa Latina and moderator Eric Liu in a panel discussion on “Dignity and Economic Justice.”
The Citizen University National Conference took place at Seattle Center on March 20-21, 2015. Sponsors included Seattle Center, The Seattle Foundation and KUOW 94.9. The opening music was performed by composer and visual artist Paul Rucker. Thanks to Anna Tatistcheff for our recording.
-
John O'Brien
Senior Producer, All Things Considered
John O’Brien is KUOW's All Things Considered Senior Producer. He spends his days setting up interviews with newsmakers on subjects from politics and public health to arts and culture. John learned to make radio starting in 2006 as an intern on KUOW’s The Conversation with Ross Reynolds.
More stories from John O'Brien »
