Event promotes youth politics

The deadline for a conference promoting political involvement among the Knoxville area’s youth is fast approaching, and the conference organizer wants to get the word out.

Act Now is inviting students from regional high schools and colleges to attend the March 11 conference, but the deadline to register is Feb. 21.

Act Now’s organizer said the conference will familiarize the attendees with their government, making it less intimidating and more approachable.

“Politics and government are intimidating, especially with all the scandals, but a good government comes from good people, and we need more good people in the system making it work,” said Kavitha Reddy, junior in political science and organizer of Act Now.

Reddy said that if people want to improve their government, the best way to do it is to get involved.

“An important feature of actually making it work is participating. And at the very least, being knowledgeable about the issues,” she said. “We want to present the material in a nonpartisan and interesting way.”

Reddy, who works on Harold Ford Jr.’s senatorial campaign, was joined by Nathan Fortner, senior in political science and history and an officer in the University Republicans, in creating the organization.

The conference is sponsored by both the College Democrats and the University Republicans in a nonpartisan display of political activism, Reddy said.

“This is not meant to be a political event, but, instead, a positive, motivating experience.”

Reddy said that her generation cares little for government and votes for candidates without fully understanding the issues involved or the party platforms.

“Our generation is very apathetic or misinformed about issues. Many people vote for one party or another, but don’t ever really understand exactly what those parties stand for. Or, people don’t understand how to get involved.”

But, with the conference, she said she hoped to change that.

“We wanted to open some eyes.”

Fortner said that he hoped the conference would give young people the tools with which to craft their own ideas about current issues.

“[It will] help young people become more involved in politics in a manner that they will make more educated decisions,” he said. “We’re trying to show how government affects them in their lives and how ... they can take a part in government actively.”

Reddy said that the conference will cover the two-party system, what each party stands for and how the media influence politics, among several other topics to be discussed.

Lana Seivers, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education, will be among several named and yet-to-be announced speakers expected at the conference. Representatives from the College Democrats and the University Republicans will also participate.

The registration deadline is Feb. 21 and interested students can register by sending their name, e-mail and shirt size to act.now06@gmail.com. The shirt size is required for the free T-shirts that will be given away at the March 11 conference.