U.S. Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama will be the keynote speaker for the event on Friday, Dec. 2, at 8:30 a.m. in the Ferguson Center Theater.

Students will debate political issues of importance to them at the summit. Divided into topical groups, the students will talk about issues such as education, constitutional reform, the environment and tax reform.

During a Friday debate from 12:15-2:15 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Heritage Room, the students will rank issues in order of importance. Then, during the 2:30-3:30 p.m. session on Friday in the Heritage Room, they will present their choice of the top 10 issues concerning the state to Ken Wallis, chief legal adviser to Gov. Bob Riley, at the closing of the event.

The students’ goal is to have their selected issues seriously considered by Gov. Riley. The students selected to attend the Alabama Youth Summit were chosen for their interest in politics and state government. High school youth groups Alabama Girls State, Alabama Boys State and Youth in Government will collaborate with the UA Freshman Forum to hold the annual meeting.

The Alabama Youth Summit is hosted by the Student Leadership department of the UA Office of the Dean of Students. It is supported by Freshman Forum, Emerging Leaders, LEAD Team, and many other student leaders.