The Harward Center for Community Partnerships at Bates College kicks off its “Civic Forum on Reimagining Maine in the 21st Century” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, in the Edmund S. Muskie Archives, 70 Campus Ave., with a panel titled “Poverty and the Two Maines.”

Four panelists will share their perspectives and discuss means of addressing the problem of poverty in the state. Panelists include Hannah Pingree, House majority leader, Maine Legislature; Sarah Standiford, Bates class of 1997 and executive director, Maine Women’s Lobby; Naomi Schalit, opinion page editor, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel; and Eric Smith, Congregational outreach coordinator, Maine Council of Churches.

The Harward Center’s civic forum series explores civic, political and policy issues of significance to the Bates community, Maine and beyond. Additional panels this academic year include “Reimagining Globalism: Maine in the World’s Economy” on Jan. 16, 2008, and “Re-Imagining the North Woods: The Changing Environment of Maine” on Feb. 27.

All of these events are free and open to the public. Please contact the Harward Center for Community Partnerships at Bates College at 207-786-6202 for more information.

The Harward Center leads Bates’ efforts in community involvement, including programs in service-learning, community volunteerism and environmental stewardship. The center works with community partners to meet community needs and, in the process, to integrate civic engagement with the Bates educational experience.