DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) — The Dayton community will have a chance to participate in May’s NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Thursday, Congressman Mike Turner announced “Dayton Dialogue: Conversations about Peace and Security in the Balkans.” It’s a four-day public forum program helping further the Gem City’s role in what he called an international conversation.

“This is an opportunity that just doesn’t come around often and very few cities have the ability to be able to have this kind of an event in their community,” said Destination Dayton President and CEO, Jacquelyn Powell.

In two months, hundreds of global leaders, their staff, and their families will come to the Miami Valley for the 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session.

“All aspects of our community are pulling in to host those who are coming here,” said Congressman Mike Turner. “[It’s] really going to open our community, showing we are a world class community.”

Congressman Turner played a big role in bringing this event to the Miami Valley however, Powell said our area speaks for itself with a rich history of innovation and global significance.

“Nowhere else is there a National Museum of the US Air Force. We tell the history of the Air Force,” she reminded. “We have the Dayton Art Institute. We have the arts and culture that we’re able to enjoy here as citizens every day.”

Daytonians also now have an opportunity to take part in the NATO assembly with a public forum at the University of Dayton.

“The discussion will bring together those who look to Europe, the various aspects of conflict, how do you end a conflict, and how do you ensure peace going forward,” Congressman Turner shared.

A full weekend of events, each helping bring the Gem City to the world stage.

“Dayton, Ohio is more typical of an average American involvement, if you will,” said Powell. “They’ll have a great opportunity to see that really come to light on their visit to Dayton.”

The official NATO Parliamentary assembly begins on May 22nd and runs through the 26th. The Dayton Dialogue panels run from the 22nd through the 25th at the Roger Glass Center for the Arts. Below is the schedule for the public forum program:

Thursday, May 22 – NATO’s Role in the Transatlantic Relationship

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.: Why NATO Matters to Everyday Americans (sponsored by Atlantic Council)1:30 – 2:45 p.m.: NATO’s Transatlantic Economic Impact (sponsored by Dayton Development Coalition)3:30 – 4:45 p.m.: Putting the Transatlantic Defense Industrial Base Back on Track (sponsored by German Marshall Fund)

Friday, May 23 – Dayton Accords 30 Years Later – A Historical Look Back

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.: to be determined1:30 – 2:45 p.m.: Journalists’ Stories: Telling the Truth During and After the Conflict (sponsored by National Endowment for Democracy)3:30 – 4:45 p.m.: US Global Strategy at a Historic Inflection Point (sponsored by Atlantic Council)

Saturday, May 24 – Dayton Today for the Balkans Present and Future

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.: Economic Recovery and Development: Post-Dayton Progress and Future Challenges 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.: Next Steps After Dayton? Getting to Constitutional Reforn in BiH (sponsored by New Lines Institute) 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.: to be determined

Sunday, May 25 – Cultural and Societal Ties that Strengthen Relationships

10:30 – 11:45 a.m.: NATO Spotlight on Veterans (sponsored by German Marshall Fund) 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.: The Role of Cultural Exchanges in Building Lasting Ties3:30 – 4:45 p.m.: to be determined (sponsored by Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)