Over the past decade we’ve watched with astonishment as public discourse around important policy issues has become muddled with partisan division and an often divided population. Despite more access to information than ever before, our citizens, and particularly, our next generation of voters and public servants, are at risk of confusion and disengagement.

Proud WWU alumnus and former Secretary of State Ralph Munro has been tireless in his efforts to reach across the aisle and ensure that citizens from all backgrounds have a voice and opportunity to become civically engaged. He is so devoted and skilled in this arena that two decades ago he partnered with Western to establish an institute dedicated promoting civic literacy within secondary education and the public at large, The Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education.

Building upon a series of annual workshops and trainings geared at engaging college students and K-12 teachers, the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education is now working to seize new opportunities to ensure an educated and engaged citizenry. 

Your gift will help us:

• Develop an annual lecture series, Seeking Common Ground, that features scholars and civic activists who represent multiple sides of pressing policy issues;
• Expand support for student internships on both sides of the aisle in Olympia and Washington, D.C; and
• Continue support for Munro Seminar each fall involving scores of students and elected officials.

Thank you! 

For more information about the Munro Institute and its activities, please visit our Face Book page or contact Professor Vernon Johnson, the Munro Institute Director, at vernon.johnson@wwu.edu.