THE FORUM

The Forum is the Columbia Political Union’s flagship platform for debate, discussion, and public engagement. Combining the organization’s historic Speaker Series and Debating Union, The Forum brings together students, faculty, policymakers, journalists, academics, and public figures for serious conversations about contemporary political, legal, and international issues.

A core part of The Forum is its student debating community, which convenes students from across the political spectrum for regular debates and discussions designed to encourage rigorous argument, productive disagreement, and open dialogue. Over the years, CPU debates have addressed topics ranging from “Billionaires Should Not Exist” to “The United States Is a Force for Good in the World,” and have featured participation from both students and professors.

The Forum also continues CPU’s longstanding tradition of hosting prominent political and cultural speakers. Past speakers have included Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Noam Chomsky, Cass Sunstein, and Lawrence Lessig, alongside a wide range of academics, nonprofit leaders, lawyers, journalists, activists, and policymakers. Recent events have featured conversations on sanctions policy, multilateralism and the global financial safety net, autonomous weapons, and Gen Z media and political commentary.

The Forum regularly collaborates with other organizations across Columbia’s campus, including the Columbia Debate Society, the Columbia International Relations Council and Association, the Columbia University Democrats, the Columbia University Republicans, and others.

In the 2026–2027 academic year, The Forum plans to expand its programming through regular debates, high-profile speaker events, policy panels, and cross-campus collaborations aimed at sustaining Columbia’s largest and most active political community.