A discussion of military and civilian National Service programs, from the Brookings Institution, this is just over an hour. 30 seconds. 30 seconds was particularly effective. It is my happy duty to introduce and moderate the second panel. I will begin by introducing myself briefly. I am bill gault, senior fellow in the government studies program at brookings, delighted to be a small cog in the Service Share alliance. And two people in particular, mel sawhill conceding the stand working tirelessly for six months and also john allen, for letting his vast appearance and events moral authority to our enterprise this morning and i think it is a sign that brookings is spiritually aligned with the National Service movement. Let me introduce the question this way. If National Service is the answer, what is the question . And we have heard and i think will hear three very different kinds of answers to that question. It is useful to keep them secret. The first test to do with service as an avenu
This has been a fabulous this has been a fabulous day. I want to thank barbara who walked in. I agree we have saved the best for last. No question. Whenever i do a Service Event i say we have to hear from young people who are serving or have served because they understand what its about because its at the ground level. Im so excited about this panel. I want to thank my friend bill galston for his overthetop comments. I had the privilege of starting the program, but it wasnt me. I did it with my best friend and college roommate, Michael Brown and others. It was a small group of thoughtful dedicated people. What made it work, it wasnt me or michael, it was people when they experienced this, loved this idea. I am honored to be here. Its like a Family Reunion for me with Service Legends and giants, my brother john bridgeland who i worked closely with for 20 years, thanks to bridge and george w. Bush they got the largest increase in ameri corp. Ever. Susan stroud, whos been carrying this to
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Im john allen, the president of brookings and on behalf of the institution and our partners at Service Year Alliance, i want to welcome you all to this important event today. I want to welcome those coming in over the webcast and of course we always welcome the media. This morning youll be hearing from a distinguished group of leaders and volunteers on the matter of National Service. Let me make a few brief comments to begin with. In such divided and turbulent times, we must look for ways to bridge society, to bridge the divides and to restore a sense of community. In recent years, much has been done, sadly, to burn rather than to build the bridges in our civic nation leading to a growing culture of fear and distrust, incivility, and a reflex to retreat into the safety of tribalism. Our trusted institutions and our trust in each other has taken a beating and has in fact declined and that decline makes it harder for us to solve some of the key problem
Next, currents and former public official officials on the importance of military and civilian Service Programs. The event hosted by the Brookings Institution lasts just over an hour. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Im john allen, im the president of brookings and on behalf of the institution and our partners at service here alliance, i want to welcome you all to this event today. I want to welcome those coming in over the especially with web cast and of course we always welcome the media. This morning, you will be hearing from a distinguished group of leaders and volunteers on the matter of National Service. Let me make a few brief comments to begin with. In such divided and turbulent times, we must look for ways to bridge society. To bridge the divides, and to restore a sense of community. In recent years, much has been done, sadly, to burn, rather than to build the bridges in our civic nation. Leading to a growing culture of fear, and distrust, incivility and a reflex to retreat
Its my happy duty to introduce and moderate the second panel. Let me just begin by introducing myself briefly. Im bill galston. Delighted to be a small cog in in the Service Alliance machine that produced this meeting. I want to thank two people in particular. Belle sawhill for conceiving of this day and working tirelessly over a period of at least six months to bring it about. And also our president john allen for lending his vast experience and immense moral authority to our enterprise this morning. And i think its a sign that brookings is spiritually aligned with the National Service movement. Let me introduce the question this way. If National Service is the answer, whats the question . And we have heard and i think will hear three very different kinds of answers to that question. Its useful to keep them separate. The first has to do with service as an avenue of personal growth, the expansion and the deepening of character. The second has to do with actual good done for others, ser