Dayton Reporter

Congressman Mike Turner and University of Dayton President Eric Spina have announced the introduction of public forum programming at the University of Dayton during the 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Roger Glass Center for the Arts.

The forum will feature discussions with elected officials, security and policy experts, and local leaders from NATO countries. It will focus on the Dayton Peace Accords and current issues in the Balkans, emphasizing cooperation within the transatlantic alliance to achieve lasting peace.

“This is incredibly important,” said Congressman Turner. “We will look to what occurred here 30 years ago for the Dayton Peace Accords, but also the importance of ‘What do we do now?’ as we look to the peace that was established in the Balkans. We still have a responsibility for the peace going forward.”

President Spina expressed gratitude for Turner's leadership: “Thank you, Congressman Turner, for your leadership locally, nationally, and internationally. We think about the cities that have hosted this Parliamentary Assembly over time – Luxembourg City, Montréal, Sofia, and Copenhagen. We can now put Dayton on that list as well. It wouldn't happen without your leadership and the respect you've gained nationally and internationally. Thank you for giving the University of Dayton a chance to host a part of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly here at the Roger Glass Center for the Arts.”

The public forum is titled “The Dayton Dialogue: Conversations about Peace & Security in the Balkans” and will take place from May 22-25 at UD's Roger Glass Center for Arts. Each day will feature three panels with different themes: NATO's role in transatlantic relations; a historical review of Dayton Accords after 30 years; present-day implications for Balkans; cultural ties strengthening relationships.

Sponsors include Atlantic Council, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Dayton Development Coalition, German Marshall Fund, National Endowment for Democracy, and New Lines Institute.