LEWISTON – The Great Falls Forum kicks off its eighth season on Oct. 20. The first speaker of the season is Professor Ijaz Gilani, professor and dean of the faculty of social sciences at the International University of Islamabad, Pakistan. His area of expertise is public opinion and politics at the national and global levels, including current public opinion in the Muslim world about the United States and its policies.

The title of Gilani’s talk is “Pakistan Speaks: Public Opinion and the Question of Democracy in Pakistan.”

His talk is sponsored by Bates College. Gilani is currently a visiting professor at Bates College.

The October forum will be held in the Muskie Archives on the Bates campus. The November location is at the Lepage Conference Center at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center.

Beginning in January 2006, all forums will be held at the Lewiston Public Library’s Marsden Hartley Cultural Center in Lewiston. Lunch is $7 with preregistration, or $10 at the door. All programs are held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register for the Oct. 20 forum, people may call Mari Maxwell at (207) 689-2857.

The 2005-06 lineup includes:

• Robert Shetterly, artist, Nov. 17, 2005, Sponsored by L/A Arts.

• 8th District Court Family Drug Team, with Judge John Beliveau, Jan. 19, 2006.

• Dick Barringer, University of Southern Maine research professor, Feb. 16, 2006.

• Monica Wood, Maine author, March 16, 2006.

• Rhea Ct Robbins, author, founder and executive director of the Franco-American Women’s Institute, April 20, 2006.

• David Scobey, director of the Harward Center For Community Partnerships at Bates College, May 18, 2006.

This is the forum’s eight season, bringing renowned speakers and experts to the community. The forum is sponsored by the Sun Journal, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, the Lewiston Public Library and Bates College. It is a monthly public platform encouraging thought-provoking speakers and discussion. Everyone is welcome.

People wishing to attend any event may not sign up until after the previous talk has taken place.