CCLP director Geoffrey Cowan provided opening remarks to the Civic Innovators Forum for Civics Learning at the National Press Club on Wednesday, March 30.
The program, which also included presentations by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Pete Peterson, brought together top policymakers, scholars, journalists and philanthropists to explore ways to bolster civics education in schools across the country.
The program was organized by the National Conference on Citizenship and the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools with support from The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands, for which Cowan also serves as President.
L-R: Geoffrey Cowan, Fmr. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and Michael Weiser, Board Chair on the National Conference on CitizenshipPhoto Credit: Samuel Hurd
In addition to the forum, this project includes a forthcoming report that highlights successful practices from across the country to promote civics education and possible policy recommendations.
“The better educated our citizens are, the better equipped they will be to preserve the system of government we have. And we have to start with the education of our nation’s young people,” said Justice O’Connor, who also urged a focus on middle school students.
More photos from the event can be found below and at Samuel Hurd Photography.