Fairbanks Symposium to Explore Civility and Civic Leadership in Indianapolis

The 11th annual event will bring together local and national leaders to discuss vital community issues.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The 11th Annual Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium on 'Civility and Civic Leadership in the Circle City' is coming to the University of Indianapolis campus on February 18th. The free, daylong event will feature discussions and analysis of how civility can strengthen communities, encourage dialogue, and help civic leaders find new approaches to complex challenges.

Why it matters

The Fairbanks Symposium has a legacy of bringing together influential local and national figures to tackle important community issues. This year's focus on civility and civic leadership comes at a time when many cities are grappling with how to foster more constructive public discourse and effective leadership.

The details

The Symposium will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. and include a free lunch for attendees. Previous keynote speakers have included Senator Richard Lugar and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Organizers say the event is free but requires prior online registration.

  • The 11th Annual Richard M. Fairbanks Symposium will take place on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The event has been held annually since 2013.

The players

Richard M. Fairbanks

The symposium is named after the late Richard M. Fairbanks, a prominent Indianapolis philanthropist and civic leader.

University of Indianapolis

The Fairbanks Symposium is hosted on the University of Indianapolis campus at the Schwitzer Student Center.

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What’s next

Organizers say the Fairbanks Symposium is free to attend but requires prior online registration.

The takeaway

The Fairbanks Symposium has a long history of convening influential voices to tackle important community issues. This year's focus on civility and civic leadership reflects the growing need for more constructive public discourse and effective leadership to address complex challenges facing cities like Indianapolis.