Internationally known political theorist Benjamin Barber will speak about what he feels is the root of happiness Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Newman Center’s Gates Concert Hall.
The free lecture — “Not for sale! Why consumers can’t buy happiness, and how citizens can” — will kick off DU’s sixth year of Bridges to the Future programming; this year’s theme is “the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Guest speakers will turn their attention to how we pursue happiness in the midst of tough ongoing issues, like war and pollution. Despite a worldview that can seem dismal, psychologists, sociologists, anthropologists and theologians are making human happiness the focus of their research.
Barber is a professor of civil society at the University of Maryland. He’s also president and director of the international non-governmental organization CivWorld, which empowers citizens to be agents of change for a more democratic world.
His bestseller Jihad vs. McWorld (Ballantine Books, 1995), brought him international attention and led to Barber’s frequent contributions to The New York Times, The Washington Post and Harper’s Magazine.
DU created the Bridges to the Future lecture series in 2002 as a way to engage Coloradans in an exploration of American history, values and expectations in a post-Sept. 11 world.
The events are free and open to the public, but reservations are required and can be made at www.du.edu/bridges.
The Newman Center is located at 2344 E. Iliff Ave. Free parking will be available in Lot P next to the Newman Center.