In a democracy, one of the primary missions of public schooling must be the preparation of a well informed and engaged citizenry. The youngsters in our schools are not just "other people's children" and someone else's concern. They are also the fellow citizens who will help shape the future and the nation that our children will inherit.
Democracy Web is a unique collection of online resources designed to help high school and college teachers illustrate key principles of democracy in a “compare and contrast” format that challenges students to think critically across cultural, historical and national contexts. The site includes country studies, an interactive map and a rating system that offers an overview of the basic architecture of democracy.
Al Shanker had full faith in democracy, seeing it as the political system that offers the best hope for average working people to achieve both economic empowerment and freedom. He considered it a moral imperative for citizens of democratic nations to both safeguard their own civil rights and help those still struggling for freedom. And he believed that trade unions should lead the way. Through research, publications, conferences and conversations, we endeavor to continue this legacy.
The Institute sponsors conferences, publications, and discussions on the prospect for democracy and the struggle of democracy advocates in China.
The Institute sponsors conferences, publications, and discussions on the prospect for democracy and the struggle of democracy advocates in Cuba.
The Institute sponsors conferences, publications, and discussions on the prospect for democracy and the struggle of democracy advocates in the Middle East.
The Institute sponsors seminars, discussions and publications that focus on free trade unions as the expression of the fundamental right of freedom of association--a right guaranteed in all major international human rights conventions and essential to the health and well being of democracy as well as the stability and equitable growth of the economy.