CPS 004 - Summer Institute

Course Description

One of the things that makes Oregon a special place is the ability of our citizens and policy-level decision makers to take the long view--to anticipate the future--and prepare for it.  Oregon’s stature in land use, mobility strategies, conservation and environmental protection, and civic innovations are part of the state’s narrative and testaments to earlier leaders who exhibited the courage to abide by the state’s motto:  Alis volat propriis.   While we have all been witness to decades of momentous change, it may well be that the forces coming our way — be they for good or ill — could be among the most transformative.  

This program will consider the drivers of change that could alter Oregon as we know it today by highlighting demographic, climatic, urbanization, civic, health, and physical trends that could alter how we live, work, play, and govern ourselves.  The June 23 session of the Institute  will feature guest presenters who will provide a scouting report on trends that could materially affect how Oregon looks and behaves in the year 2040.  The July 28 session will determine the best-case and worst-case scenarios for each driver of change, and challenge participants to evaluate personal and public policy recommendations for how to best respond to these trends.
Intended Audience

The Changing Face of Oregon is intended for a broad range of audiences including PSU undergraduate and graduate students, Fellows of the Center for Public Service, policy-level decision makers throughout Oregon, interested citizens, high school students and teachers seeking continuing education credit, and visitors to Oregon.