This article orginally appeared in the News-Gazette

SPRINGFIELD — Local social studies teachers, from both private and public schools, are invited to apply and be part of The Capitol Forum on America’s Future.

It’s a year-long civic education initiative that is meant to help teachers broaden their students’ understanding of human rights issues in the classroom and beyond.

Applications for the Illinois Humanities Council program are now being accepted through Sept. 20. The year-long program will culminate with a public forum in April at Illinois State University.

This year’s theme is, “Competing Visions of Human Rights: Questions for U.S. Policy.”

For information or for application materials, please visit http://www.prairie.org.