DEMOCRACY ON THE ROPES: WHAT DO WE DO NOW?

No matter who we are, where we come from, or what party we align with, the question on everyone's mind seems to be "what do we do now?" We are all witness to the same global challenges, possess the same fears for our children and our parents, and want the best for ourselves to not only survive, but prosper. But if we want to get to the world as we would like it to be, we need to move beyond platitudes and wishes, and do the hard work of actualizing social change.

On Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 6:00pm, Rajmohan Gandhi, journalist and biographer of his grandfather Mahatma Gandhi, will be featured in a conversation moderated by writer and historian Margaret Eastman Smith on how to channel the advocacy and spirit of his family and other notable civil rights activists into present day. Faisal Lalani, global political strategist and human rights activist, will be facilitating a public conversation with the audience after.

We invite you to join us at Columbia College Chicago, Student Center, 754 S. Wabash, 5th Floor for an exciting deliberation on what each of us can accomplish together, in this significant moment.

PARTICIPANTS

Rajmohan Gandhi (speaker) - a journalist, professor of history and politics in the U.S. and in India, an author of biographies and histories, and a former member of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of India’s parliament). Rajmohan Gandhi is the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.

Margaret Eastman Smith (moderator) - devoted her life to exploring the nexus between personal growth and social change, focusing on new ways to disseminate historical ideas that can be used to mitigate conflict. She was on the faculty of the Program on International Peace and Conflict Resolution at American University and worked directly with the Initiatives of Change in Papua New Guinea.

Faisal Lalani (facilitator) - global community organizer with a background in building international coalitions, advising policymakers, and preserving human rights and democracy. He has worked all over the world — including in Nepal, South Africa, India, the UK, Sri Lanka, and the US — and has expertise in digital rights, education reform, public health, climate and energy transitions, clinical psychology, foreign policy, and social movements.