Night of Ideas, Panel Discussion: Education as Liberation (Night of Ideas 2026)
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Alliance Française de Portland |
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Sorry, event is full |
As part of The Night of Ideas (full program here), join us for a panel discussion on the topic of Education as Liberation. Panelists will examine the Enlightenment ideal that knowledge liberates individuals and strengthens democracy. Panelists will discuss how access to education and critical thinking empowers citizens, addressing youth engagement, civic education, and the relevance of 18th-century philosophies today. We will also include a France–U.S. comparison, highlighting differences and similarities in civic formation, educational structures, and approaches to democratic participation.
This event is free, but donations are always welcome and appreciated.
This event is full. Please contact the office if you would like to be added to the waitlist. Email: info@afportland.org
Panelist:
Douglas Siegel
Bio coming soon.
Panelist:
Megan Sinclair
Megan Sinclair is an Oregon based artist and educator. Through analog photography and audio she examines her relationship with memory, mental health, and environment; using vulnerability and image-making as tools for processing and navigating personal trauma. She currently teaches at Franklin Foto; a community darkroom in the St. John’s neighborhood with the mission of accessibility, community, and education. Franklin Foto offers classes, darkroom and scanning facilities, movie nights, exhibitions, and much more, and is a Portland hub for the community to come together, create art, and grow. https://www.megansinclair.com https://www.franklinfoto.org.
Panelist:
Elijah Joshua
Elijah, aka Uncle E, is an elder guided by faith and ancestral wisdom. He has served as a drug and alcohol counselor for over 21 years, beginning in California (2004–2014). He has worked with probation, foster, and at-risk youth through LifeWorks R.E.A.L. at House of Umoja and later the Community Healing Initiative (CHI) at POIC, where he became known as Uncle E and received the Wakanda Song. Today he serves as a CADC counselor with Portland Public Schools, using the Wakanda model of healing to help young people rediscover identity, purpose, and hope through faith, unity, and love. Wakanda Forever. 🖤✨
Panel Moderator:
Dr. Adam M. Goldstein
Deeply committed to providing access to education and ideas, Dr. Goldstein is a PhD historian and philosopher of science, archivist, and
digital librarian. After nearly two decades of college teaching, he noticed that an increasing number of his students were not
college-ready, and decided that his skills and knowledge were needed at the secondary level.
After obtaining an MA in Secondary science education, he taught biology in high schools in Brooklyn to economically disadvantaged students
of a wide range of ethnic and linguistic backgrounds. A thinker and researcher with cross-cultural experience in France and America, Dr.
Goldstein will facilitate a deep discussion between our panelists, guiding our examination of education as a tool for collective liberation.