The educational focus of RMC 2009 is “Direct Action and Civil Society in a Democracy," and will challenge participants to investigate the way in which individuals create political and social change starting at the bottom, and will affirm for students that they can be more than passive consumers of political culture.  The goal of RMC 2009 is to enhance social power by engendering the capacity for the production of political culture at the grass-roots level.

Grassroots engagement is an essential element of the American political landscape.  RMC 2009 will showcase the way in which legislative decisions are informed by grassroots activism and, in turn, the way individuals are impacted by legislative decisions.  In addition, RMC 2009 will explore the way in which grassroots politics can be a powerful means to bringing about social change, even when government does not intervene. 

RMC 2009 will offer a number of engaging and innovative debate experiences for students.  In the New Brunswick City Council committee, students will discuss urban planning and development at the local level.  In the Historic 1964 Senate Debate on Civil Rights, students will debate the role of government in creating racial equality—an issue deeply tied to grass-roots engagement.  Finally, in the Department of Labor National Advisory Committee of 1915, students will discuss the proper role of government in the regulation of industry and labor. 

Registration for RMC 2009 will open 1 December 2008. Please register your school early, as the Conference has a limited number of seats available. For more information about the conference, please review the following pages. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact IDIA at (732) 249-4227 or via email at rmcinfo@idia.net. 

Sincerely,

Matt Korostoff
Executive Director, RMC 2009