Washington and Lee University School of Law hosts Roe at 40 The Controversy Continues November 7-8, 2013.
Roe did not resolve the abortion controversy, which continues with unabated passion on both sides of the issue. A distinguishing feature of the “Roe at 40” Symposium will be its inclusion of varying perspectives on abortion. There will be two keynote addresses, one by a pro-choice advocate and the other by a pro-life advocate. Panel participants have also been selected to ensure a balanced presentation. Balance is also reflected in the Symposium’s sponsors: ACLU of Virginia, the Frances Lewis Law Center of Washington and Lee University, University Faculty for Life, Virginia NOW, and the Washington and Lee Law Review.
The Symposium’s commitment to balance is not intended to suggest that advocates should give up their principled stances or that abortion is an issue for which compromise is readily attainable. Rather, the motivating concept is that an academic conference should encourage a free and full exchange of views and that this goal is possible even for an issue as contentious as abortion. It is not expected that attendees will likely change their views, but it is hoped that they will at least better understand their opponents. This increased insight will hopefully lead to productive future dialogue.
Contacts: Lara Gass, Symposium Editor, Washington and Lee Law Review, (901) 361-5825, gass.l[@]law.wlu.edu & Thomas Short, Editor-in-Chief, Washington and Lee Law Review, (720) 933-9378, short.t[@]law.wlu.edu
im
