About the Forum
The Forum is supported by a fund established to honor Laurie Carlson's lifelong commitment to progressive ideas, laws and policies. Formed by his family, the fund is designed to provide support to University programs that present, explore and discuss current progressive issues in law, legal institutions, public policy and social thought. While the Forum will initiate its own speakers and programs, it also seeks to encourage and assist learning opportunities suggested by others in various formats, including guest speakers, discussion panels, seminars, workshops, and classroom activities. One goal of the Forum is to promote an exchange of ideas that joins the University community with the local community, by, among other things, fostering a discussion of current progressive ideas and issues on campus and encouraging public participation in Forum-sponsored events.
2013 Progressive Ideas Forum
The Progressive Ideas Forum is pleased to be a sponsor of the Nelson Institute's 2013 Earth Day Conference, including the keynote address by Jane Goodall, the world-renowned conservationist. The theme of this year's conference is "Conservation Everywhere: Sustaining Natural and Cultural Diversity," and is being held at the Monona Terrace Convention Center on April 15, 2013. Ms. Goodall's keynote address is entitled "Sowing the Seeds of Hope" and is schedule for 3:30 p.m.
Past speakers and participants have included:
- Van Jones, author and former advisor to the Obama White House, discussing clean energy economy and green jobs;
- South African Ambassador Barbara Masekela and then US Senator Russ Feingold discussing the 10th Anniversary of South Africa's Constitution;
- Stephen Lewis, former Special UN Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, addressing the particular problems facing women in Africa;
- Robin Wright, author and Middle East expert, outlining the foreign policy challenges facing the winner of the 2008 Presidential Election;
- Robert Kennedy, Jr., environmental lawyer and activist, arguing the cause of environmental justice on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day;
- Fran Ulmer, former Lt. Governor of Alaska and chair of the Arctic Research Commission speaking of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Suggestions for Forum Programs
Individuals or groups interested in making suggestions for Forum programs should prepare a description of the program and submit it to Ralph Cagle, University of Wisconsin Law School, 975 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706 by mail, by email at rmcagle@wisc.edu or by phone at (608) 262-7881.
About Laurie E. Carlson (1908-1999)
Laurie Carlson was born in Bayfield, Wisconsin. His first political involvement occurred at age 12, when he and his father traveled Bayfield County in a horse-drawn wagon, campaigning with Robert La Follette, Sr. This experience coupled with later meetings with Bob La Follete left an impression that would stay with Carlson for a lifetime. In 1934, Carlson helped form the State Progressive Party, along with La Follette sons, Phil and Bob, Jr. Carlson won election as a Progressive to the State Legislature in 1936 at age 28 and served until 1942. After his legislative career, Carlson began a career in business, but was always very active in Wisconsin politics. In 1969, the Dane County Democratic Party prevailed on Laurie to run for Clerk of Courts, and he served four terms before retiring from public office. In 1986, Governor Tony Earl honored Carlson with a Proclamation declaring him a "state treasure." Laurie died in 1999 at age 91, fighting to the end for the poor, the common people, the rights of labor, civil rights, and the protection of the environment.
