Conference On Democracy
While "think, question, and create" has become the motto of Marin Academy, it is the second part of our mission statement—that MA "challenges each person to accept the responsibilities posed by education in a democratic society"—that has inspired the Conference On Democracy for over 20 years.
The Conference’s origins were modest: a lunch-line conversation between two teachers sparked the idea of integrating the school’s mission more deeply into our daily intellectual and social practices. Now an eagerly-anticipated annual event, the Conference provides a wide array of perspectives on political, social, economic, and environmental issues that our communities face locally, nationally, and globally.
2025 COD
Voice, Creativity, and the Power of Self-Expression
March 27, 2025
This year's theme examines how self-expression—through speech, community engagement, and the arts—shapes and sustains democracy. COD 2025 challenges us to recognize self-expression as a catalyst for change, advocacy, and inclusion. When individuals use their voices to inspire and create, democracy flourishes. By embracing creativity and dialogue, we strengthen the foundation of a dynamic and responsive democratic society.
If this country is to help engender real citizens out of the next generation, there is surely no better way to do it than this.
Orville Schell, Former Dean of the Graduate School of Journalism at UC Berkeley
