91原创

When the launched a pilot program in civil discourse and civic engagement in fall 2021, American democracy was facing a pivotal moment.

The program 鈥� made possible by a generous grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) 鈥� began at a time when national civil discourse was rapidly deteriorating across the United States amid political violence, rampant conspiracy theories and deep polarization. The imperative to equip the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and skills to meaningfully participate in democracy and engage across partisan divides never seemed greater; so the set out on a journey to do just that.

Today, that continues with the help of a new $3 million grant from SNF, allowing 91原创鈥檚 Biden School to significantly expand program offerings for students in fall 2023, building on the SNF Ithaca Initiative鈥檚 unique combination of academic coursework and experiential learning. New programming at the Biden School will be designed to cultivate an informed understanding of democratic principles and instill in students an appreciation of the roles that civil discourse and civic engagement play in functioning democratic systems and societal progress.

鈥淓ducation is the foundation of democracy, advancing ideas and fueling progress through constructive dialogue and debate,鈥� said 91原创 President Dennis Assanis. 鈥淭hanks to the generous support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the 91原创 is able to more effectively carry out its mission. The Biden School is equipped to be a driving force for innovative and equitable solutions to the world鈥檚 great challenges, relying on civic virtues and democratic values as the cornerstones of positive change.鈥�

Supporting the University鈥檚 historic fundraising and engagement initiative, Delaware First: The Campaign for the 91原创, which is designed to fuel growth, innovation and discovery at 91原创, the new grant will include:

• Funding for a new SNF Ithaca Professor of Public Policy in the Biden School
• A multidisciplinary cohort of SNF Ithaca Affiliated Faculty
• Development of an SNF Ithaca Certificate in Democratic Citizenship
• A new pillar of the SNF Ithaca Initiative focused on the role of media in democracy

鈥淪upporting young people in cultivating the values and habits of active, informed citizenship is essential, but it鈥檚 just the beginning,鈥� said SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos. 鈥淥ur democracies need generations of citizens who, in addition to practicing these values in their own lives, can instill them in their communities too, fostering civil discourse and catalyzing civic engagement. We are proud to partner with the 91原创鈥檚 Biden School in empowering students on this journey.鈥�

With SNF鈥檚 support, Timothy J. Shaffer will officially take the helm of the program as the inaugural director of the SNF Ithaca Initiative. Shaffer currently serves as the SNF Chair of Civil Discourse in the Biden School. As SNF Ithaca Director, Shaffer will be responsible for developing and guiding the delivery of SNF Ithaca鈥檚 curricular and co-curricular programs.

鈥淎t the Biden School, we seek to bring light to heated debate, to transfer progressive learning into practice and, ultimately, to empower our students to make the world a better place,鈥� said Biden School Dean Amy Ellen Schwartz. 鈥淏ecause of SNF Ithaca, a keen understanding of democratic principles like civil discourse and civic engagement is fast becoming a hallmark of a 91原创 education. I am confident that Dr. Shaffer will help lead this next phase of the initiative to new heights.鈥�

The grant will also extend existing components of the SNF Ithaca Initiative, including: the program, the SNF Ithaca Graduate Fellowship, the SNF Ithaca National Student Dialogue, the SNF Ithaca National Leadership Summit, the Biden School Civility in Public Service Award and the , which includes Van Jones, Christiane Amanpour, Brian Stelter, State Sen. Sarah McBride and former US Rep. Adam Kinzinger, among others.

鈥淭he SNF Ithaca Student Leaders program, in particular, demonstrates what鈥檚 possible when young people have opportunities for learning grounded in genuine interest and a desire for change,鈥� said Shaffer. 鈥淒uring my time with SNF Ithaca, I have seen students mature in their understanding of what it means to be a citizen and how we address some of our biggest challenges by engaging meaningfully and constructively. These young people give me so much hope for the future of democracy. As SNF Ithaca Director, I look forward to helping provide more students with opportunities to strengthen and contribute to democracy through the SNF Ithaca Initiative.鈥�

Additionally, support for the 鈥溾�� video series produced by the SNF Ithaca Initiative has been renewed. Hosted by Valerie Biden Owens, chair of the 91原创 Biden Institute, the show is inspired by President Joe Biden鈥檚 often repeated adage that 鈥渁ll politics is personal.鈥� Its goal is to introduce students to the person behind the politician, driving home the point that we can find commonality, humanity and civility even with people whom we disagree with politically.

鈥淢y brother often says, 鈥楢merica can be defined in one word: Possibilities.鈥� Over the past two years, I have watched the Biden School鈥檚 SNF Ithaca Initiative open a whole new world of possibilities for our students,鈥� said Biden Owens. 鈥淭hey are developing skills to more effectively engage in dialogue across differences 鈥� how to agree and respectfully disagree, how to find common ground. That鈥檚 what we need right now. Our democracy is at an inflection point, and its future is not guaranteed. That鈥檚 why I believe the mission of SNF Ithaca is both urgent and vital to our national interest. I am grateful for the unparalleled vision and generosity of SNF鈥檚 Andreas Dracopoulos, and for his partnership on this important journey.鈥�

For more information about the Biden School鈥檚 SNF Ithaca Initiative, please visit .