The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that works within a long tradition of small, catalytic and public-spirited organizations in American history that have sought to improve public life and politics. Our vision for 15 years has been to chart a different course for public life - a goal even more important for the changing times in which we now live. For America to move forward, we believe people and organizations must bring new sensibilities and practices to public life and politics.

We hold this core belief: as a nation, as communities and as individuals, we can do better - in ensuring that every child receives a good education; that people can live in safe neighborhoods and in strong communities; that we find ways to improve race relations and rid ourselves of prejudice; that we make certain that all people and all perspectives have a place at the public table.

Civic Education
In a recent report on nationwide civic forums held by The Harwood Institute, Lip Service: Political Conduct in America, more than 200 civic leaders reported that many U.S. adults not only are failing to vote, but do not take the time to inform themselves about important public issues, talk with one another about what should be done about those issues, or actually get involved in our communities.

The message is clear. Many of us have turned our backs on a politics and public life that we believe no longer reflects our values and aspirations. If we do not engage our youth in the nation's political life, we run the risk of raising an apathetic generation of democratic illiterates. Surely, civic education for kids is vital to the future of the nation.

This argument holds great appeal. But we must ask ourselves, from whom do our children learn? Are we saying that it is okay for adults not to engage in politics and public life, but that we expect our children to do so? Is it possible that we have come to the point of fully embracing the notion, "Do as I say, not as I do"?

Indeed, there is another group that is also in dire need of such civic education: adults. Let us do right by our children and our democracy, and let us also turn our attention to ourselves.

Richard C. Harwood, President
The Harwood Institute
4915 St Elmo Avenue
Suite 402
Bethesda, MD 20814