Join us for the second session of The Belonging Project, a free series of public activities, cultural events, and collaborative partnerships created to build understanding and create a more connected San Luis Obispo.

Join us for this session featuring JoPat, a public-facing, present-and-defend advocacy format designed to support real-world civic decision-making. Student teams deliver a clear briefing on a live policy issue - what’s happening, what they recommend, and why - before judges challenge the proposal’s evidence, feasibility, tradeoffs, and impacts.

Unlike traditional debates, teams strengthen their own cases by incorporating elements of their opponents’ arguments, and the audience plays an active role through open Q&A with community stakeholders.

Judges evaluate teams on clarity, credibility, and decision-usefulness: how well they explain complex issues, respond to tough questions, and balance costs and benefits. The result is an accessible, engaging event that models public debate at its best: informed, collaborative, and grounded in practical reasoning.

Need Special Accommodations?
This event is accessible to all. To request accommodations, including translation and interpreters, please contact dei@slocity.org or call 805.781.7073 at least 3 business days before the event.

Have an Idea for a Future Session?
The City is currently seeking more ideas for future sessions for The Belonging Project. Each session of The Belonging Project will be designed to bring people together, hold meaningful conversations, promote understanding, and provide practical tools.

Visit www.slocity.org/Diversity to and click on The Belonging Project link to submit your ideas.

Media Contact: Matt Pennon, City Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, mpennon@slocity.org, 805.781.7073