Bill Bradley coming to Columbus for conclusion of global challenges discussion

Former 2000 presidential primary contender, NBA Hall of Famer and U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley (D-N.J.), is coming to Columbus on Thursday to discuss the global challenges and opportunities facing President-elect Barack Obama.

The discussion will conclude a series from the Center for U.S. Global Engagement called "Impact '08 in Ohio." The series is the result of a partnership between the Center, the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, the Columbus World Affairs Council, and The ONE Campaign.

The Center's series is called "Impact '08: Building a Better, Safer World," and is billed as an initiative calling on the presidential candidates "to revitalize America's moral and pragmatic leadership by making greater investments in our diplomatic and development programs."

Bradley's discussion will be moderated by Columbus Dispatch Senior Editor Joe Hallett.

More than 100 business, community and student leaders are expected to attend the event, which will be Webcast live.

An announcement from the Center states that more than 130 prominent business, community, and faith leaders in Ohio endorsed Impact '08. The Center said that during the 2008 election, both Obama and Republican presidential nominee John McCain answered Impact '08's call, incorporating into their national security strategies a "smart power" approach that augments a strong defense with new investments in our civilian-led tools of diplomacy and development.

The Center said that Obama has committed to the most in-depth and far reaching platform embracing "smart power" of any candidate in history.

The discussion with Bradley will be held at The Faculty Club of Ohio State on Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The Center for U.S. Global Engagement describes itself as the educational arm of the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign. The organization said its goals included uniting business, civic, military, faith-based, and political leaders around the country to broaden understanding of America's interests in building a better, safer world.

"Impact '08: Building a Better, Safer World" is the Center's national bipartisan initiative, chaired by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci. The initiative was developed to call on all of the 2008 presidential candidates to elevate and strengthen America's investments in global development and diplomacy.

The John Glenn School of Public Affairs at Ohio State says it seeks to promote informed decision-making at every level of public policy to strengthen civic engagement among all citizens and to prepare students for public service.

The Columbus Council on World Affairs was developed to educate central Ohio about the people and events that shape our world. Founded in 1975, the Council welcomes participation by anyone with an interest in international affairs, including matters of both policy and intercultural relations.

The ONE Campaign calls itself a global advocacy organization uniting millions of people to press government leaders to fight extreme poverty and preventable disease around the world .