In the Public Square is a collection of over 90 short, punchy articles devoted to facing realities and making positive change. Of this book, Professor Tom Urbaniak has written: "Our communities are tired – even cranky. Around us, we have watched a world seemingly wracked by instability and conflict. Democracies are ailing. People are hurting.

How can we help? How can we make things better, not worse?
How can we find some balance, some healthy dialogue, and understand our problems in a broader context? How can we unleash or inspire generosity and hospitality — and good governance? How can we be citizens with a conscience?"

Tom Urbaniak is a writer who not only studies, but acts. He addresses these questions by focusing on the issues, large and small, which are often inter-connected, and on practical possibilities close to home. He does this through essays which manage to be both critical and hopeful. His message is this: We can start somewhere — now!

Tom Urbaniak, PhD, is a respected author on public policy and grassroots action. Professor of political science, director of the Tompkins Institute and university parliamentarian at Cape Breton University in Sydney, Nova Scotia, he has chaired several local and national non-profit organizations, including the National Trust for Canada and Faith & the Common Good (national inter-faith network). A leader in the Polish community in Atlantic Canada, Tom works effectively with diverse communities. He has served as an official Canadian election observer in Ukraine and is a recipient of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal for his volunteer service to his community, his province and to Canada.

Tom Urbaniak's profile page