AFR’s Senior Policy Analyst Alexis Goldstein will be participating in the Debates of the Century @NYU Wagner, a public debate series showcasing thoughtful, informed dialogue from experts. She will be arguing that the government should cancel student debt. The event is co-hosted by The Century Foundation and NYU Wagner.

The debate will be held on March 10th, 6:30-8:30pm EST, at NYU Wagner. Register to attend in person here. The event will also be livestreamed at: https://www.debatesofthecentury.org/student-debt/

“Should the government cancel student debt?”

Student debt in America is reaching crisis levels: today, it affects more than 40 million people, and disproportionately hurts communities of color. As the crisis worsens, there is an increasing consensus that something must be done to give relief to student borrowers. But what’s the best path forward?

Hear two leading higher education experts debate the merits and drawbacks of canceling $1.5 trillion in outstanding student loan debt. Would eliminating debt in its entirety help narrow the racial wealth gap, or simply benefit high-income borrowers? Would doing so help or hurt the economy? Would canceling it really address the underlying drivers of debt?

Speakers:

• For the motion:
  Alexis Goldstein
  Senior Policy Analyst at Americans for Financial Reform
• Against the motion:
  Robert Shireman
  Director of Higher Education Excellence and Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation
• Moderator:
  Danielle Douglas-Gabriel
  Education Reporter at The Washington Post

Doors will open at 6:00pm and the event will begin at 6:30pm.