Welcome! The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute’s Civic Initiative is dedicated to promoting Democracy through education both at home and abroad.

The United States has directed considerable effort toward advancing Democracy. The Civic Initiative supports that effort and extends it to include research and education efforts aimed at our own local and national Democracy.

By combining the administrative experience of the University’s Donahue Institute with the faculty of the University of Massachusetts we provide quality educational programming and in-depth student and faculty research. Our workshops take place on the University of Massachusetts campus in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts. The surrounding five-college area gives participants access not only to the University of Massachusetts but also to the resources of Smith College, Mt. Holyoke College, Hampshire College, and Amherst College. The Amherst area is also rich in historical and cultural resources.

Our research efforts are housed in the University’s Civic Benchmarks project. The Benchmarks project attempts to answer the question “How are we doing?” regarding Democracy within Massachusetts. Utilizing a statewide poll and student research our Civic Benchmarks project will continue to study the progress and growth of local Democracy.

Our national Democracy education efforts include the Constitutional History Renewal Project. This three year Teaching American History grant provides in-depth content seminars for teachers throughout western Massachusetts. By using the idea of a “Living Constitution” we are able to explore American history through the lens of Constitutional debate and development.

The Initiative is currently involved in two international Democracy Education efforts. Beginning in June of 2005 we will work with 12 Indonesian secondary school teachers on a program devoted to the intersection of the American education system and Democracy. This grant from the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs involves programming on the American education system, school visits, teacher contact, and visits to Cincinnati, New York, Boston, and Washington D.C.

Also starting in 2005 the Initiative will welcome 18 professors from around the world into a program that will study American Political Development. Also originating with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs this program will cover every aspect of American politics and political thought through the lens of American Political Development. The effort includes trips to St. Louis, Atlanta, New York, Boston, and Washington D.C.