The Kansas Leadership Center Journal, in partnership with A Place for Everyone Coalition, invites you to a Journal Talk on the topic of housing in Lawrence, Kansas.

 

Join us for A Better Debate, where participants from across the ideological spectrum will have the opportunity to speak and ask questions. Tell us what you have experienced and what you think.

This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend, and registration is appreciated to help us plan for a successful engagement.

About the Event

Resolved: “Lawrence is doing enough to be a place where there is housing for all.”

Note: This statement is the formal debate resolution — a prompt designed to frame the discussion. Participants have the option to speak either for or against the resolution to explore the issue from multiple perspectives, but speaking is not required to attend. 

Modeled after a Braver Angels-style debate, A Better Debate is a highly structured conversation in which a group of people think together, listen carefully to one another, and allow themselves to be impacted and perhaps changed by each other’s ideas. When done well, everyone walks out more aware of the validity of opposing views and with stronger community relationships.

This format offers a structured forum that brings people together across differences through curiosity and respectful engagement. Some participants prepare short speeches, others ask questions through the Debate Chair, and many simply listen and reflect. The focus is on ideas, not individuals, and on listening as much as speaking.

You do not need to be an expert to take part. You just need curiosity, an open mind, and a willingness to engage respectfully. Many attendees leave with greater insight into their own thinking, a better understanding of why others see things differently, and a sense of connection that can bridge even deep divides.

This format has been used in communities and classrooms across the country to model what healthy civic dialogue can look like. Whether you speak or simply observe, you will walk away reminded that disagreement does not have to divide us.

Note: This resolution does not represent the Kansas Leadership Center’s stance on the issue. We will alternate between speeches in support of and against the resolution.

Event Details

What? A Better Debate on Housing in Lawrence, KS

When? Thursday, December 4, 2025, 6-7:30 pm.

Where? Educational Support Center (Central Office), 110 McDonald Drive, Lawrence, KS, 66044 (map)

   Register to Attend     

The registration form includes a few additional questions about perspectives and participation. These questions will help our Debate Chair ensure a respectful, constructive mix of voices and viewpoints. Your answers are confidential and used only for event planning.