Deliberative Dialogue Series

MCC’s Deliberative Dialogue Series offers an opportunity for people to come together and explore complex issues through open, collaborative conversations. The goal of these forums is to provide a welcoming space where people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives can listen, reflect, and work together toward shared understanding and collective decisions. These events are free and open to our students and the community, but advance registration is required.
What to expect:

Forums are in-person on the MCC Brighton Campus.
A neutral, trained moderator leads each forum and lays out the general ground rules.
The discussion is guided by a framework that outlines the issue and presents several broad approaches to consider.
Participants are encouraged to explore each option, share their concerns and hopes, and thoughtfully weigh the potential trade-offs.

A House Divided: What Would We Have to Give Up to Get the Political System We Want?

Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Join us for a thought-provoking forum where we’ll tackle one of the biggest challenges facing our country today: the deep divisions that make it hard to solve urgent problems. Together, we’ll explore some tough but important questions, like:

How can we encourage more respectful public dialogue?
Is political reform worth the trade-offs?
How can communities take the lead on complex issues like health care and the environment?

During this forum, we’ll consider three different paths forward. There are no easy answers—but that’s exactly why your voice matters.

A Nation in Debt: How Can We Pay the Bills?

Wednesday, November 5, 2025, 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The national debt is bigger than ever—and while its effects may seem distant, they’re already starting to impact us and could weigh heavily on future generations. In this interactive forum, we’ll explore three different approaches to addressing the debt, each offering unique perspectives and trade-offs. Together, we’ll wrestle with tough questions, including:

Should we raise taxes, cut spending, or both?
Who should bear the burden—everyday Americans, wealthy individuals, or big corporations?
What are we willing to give up today to avoid bigger problems tomorrow?

This forum invites everyone to share their views, listen to others, and reflect on what kind of future we want to build—together.

Registration opens soon!

Health Care: How Can We Bring Down Costs While Getting the Care We Need

Thursday, March 12, 2026, 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Health care touches all of our lives—and so do the rising costs that come with it. In this forum, we’ll explore three different approaches to fixing the system, each with its own set of challenges and trade-offs.

Should we move toward a government-run plan for all?
Should we try to improve what we have with careful reforms?
Should we shift more responsibility to individuals in a competitive market?

There are no simple answers, but this is a chance to listen, share, and think together about what matters most: affordability, access, and quality of care.

Registration for this forum is not open yet.

Keeping America Safe: What is Our Greatest Threat? How Should We Respond?

Thursday, April 16, 2026, 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

In today’s rapidly changing world, Americans face a wide range of global threats—from terrorism and military aggression to climate change, pandemics, and economic competition. This forum invites you to join a thoughtful conversation about how the U.S. should respond.

Should we focus on strengthening our military?
Should we invest more in diplomacy and global partnerships?
Should our nation turn inward to focus on resilience here at home?

Together, we’ll weigh the trade-offs of each path and consider what kind of global role we want our country to play.