It has been called “An indispensable guide to good citizenship in an era of division and rancor.” New York Times bestselling author and former diplomat Dr. Richard Haass’ new book The Bill of Obligations: Ten Habits of Good Citizens, will be the focus of the NH Civics William W. Treat Lecture on Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Students from six New Hampshire high schools will join Dr. Haass for a virtual discussion about what the American people can do - both individually and collectively – to ensure that our democracy not only survives but thrives. Elizabeth Ackerly, a junior at John Stark Regional High School, has been selected as one of the participating students.

“Elizabeth and I read his book together and conferenced on the question she will ask and also a potential second question,” said JSRHS Social Studies teacher Dan Marcus. “In addition to reading the book and meeting with me, she has attended a couple of organizational meetings and will be part of a practice session for the event later this month. She is an exceptional student and this is quite an honor.”

In his book, Dr. Haass, the head of the Council on Foreign Relations for 20 years, argues that the very idea of citizenship must be revised and expanded. The Bill of Rights is at the center of our Constitution, yet our most intractable conflicts often emerge from contrasting views on our rights. As former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer pointed out, “Many of our cases, the most difficult ones, are not about right versus wrong. They are about right versus right.” The lesson is clear: rights alone cannot provide the basis for a functioning, much less flourishing, democracy.

The Treat Lecture is free to the public. Pre-registration for this virtual event is required at https://tinyurl.com/HaassTreatLecture.

The Treat Lecture Series is presented by NH Civics, with support from the William W. Treat Foundation and NH Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities, and with assistance from the NH Council for Social Studies (NHCSS).