VillageSpeak will present “Poets and Peacemakers” at its next event on July 12.

Washington State Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken and activist author/poet Susan Rich will lead a poetry reading on conflict, opening the topic to a panel discussion with six senior-level, expert peacemakers.

The moderator for the evening is David S. Harrison, a senior lecturer at University of Washington Evans School of Public Affairs and a longtime islander.

A graduate of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harrison is the founder and former director of the forum at the Evans School. He served as senior policy advisor to U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell from 2001 to 2003 and was a member of the Bainbridge Island School Board from 1993 to 1997.

He will initiate the conversation with panelists Rob Beattie, family attorney and Kitsap County Judge Pro Tempore; Mary Hancock, executive director of Dispute Resolution Center of Kitsap County; Larry Mill, Mills Meyers Swartling, arbitration and mediation; Doug Nathan, Conflict Matters, providing conflict engagement and leadership development services to organizations; and Barry Peters, former city council member, co-founder of Sustainable Bainbridge, retired attorney and mediator.

Known for his humor and astute discussion leadership, Harrison will also moderate the question-and-answer session with the audience.

The gathering begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 12, at Bainbridge Cinemas in the Pavilion. Bluegrass musicians will perform a live sneak peak of their music from Bainbridge Bluegrass Festival.

A standing reception with food and beverage follows the panel discussion.

RSVPs are encouraged. For detailed event information, visit www.VillageSpeak.org.