Two decades ago, Proud WWU alumnus and former Secretary of State Ralph Munro partnered with Western Washington University to establish an Institute dedicated to the proposition that citizens from all backgrounds have a voice and the opportunity to become civically engaged. Today the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education does its work through public forums, workshops and other programs that bring students, community members and lawmakers together, including the annual Munro Seminar for Civic Education. 
Mr. Munro engaging students in the state capitol
Munro’s investment was prescient, as the need for civic education has never been greater. Increased polarization and declining trust in institutions pose a risk to the core democratic foundations and principles of our state and the country. The Munro Institute seeks to confront this risk head-on through programs that serve not only K-12 education and Western students but also the public at large, whether in Bellingham, the region, or the state writ large.
Over the last two years the Institute has embarked upon an ambitious campaign to raise $100,000 to expand civic education and promote civic engagement and democratic understanding. On this WWU Give Day, we ask you to consider supporting the Institute.
The Munro Institute has continued its work during the pandemic, hosting a public seminar on the politics and policy challenges of Covid-19 and working in partnership with the Bellingham/Whatcom League of Women Voters on lecture series "Towards a More Perfect Democracy" that commemorated the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment,
brought state lawmakers and government staff members together with Western students for a week of conversation in its virtual "Days on Capitol Hill," and piloted a faculty-led project, Seeking Common Ground, which helps Western students develop the skills and capacity for civil discourse. These programs have an immediate impact on students and community members seeking to understand the world around them.
Writes one student:
"[Days on College Hill] exceeded my greatest expectations and I am really grateful for the opportunity to have such an insight into state government. (In less formal and perhaps stilted language: It was SUPER cool and I learned a lot! Honestly, I had no idea it would be so interesting and informative, and it made me want to get out there and talk with people and do things to effect change)."
Your gift will also support the following new projects:
Civic Education for the 21st Century: In partnership with the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and local school districts, the Munro Institute will provide professional development and curricular support for K-12 teachers and school districts to students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to understand and sustain democratic practices.
Voter Information and Candidate Forums: The Munro Institute has partnered with the new Washington State Debate Commission to offer debates throughout Washington for all state-wide and federal offices. In this role, the Institute will help to plan and coordinate debates statewide and will provide Western with an opportunity to host congressional debates as well as debates for candidates running for state-wide office.
Critical Conversations for an Educated Citizenry: Regular teach-ins and student/faculty/community panels to help Western students and the community at large make sense of critical policy challenges and current controversies at the local, state and national level.
Thank you for supporting this important work!
For more information about the Munro Institute and its activities, please visit our FaceBook page or contact Professor Kate Destler, the incoming Munro Institute Director, at Kate.destler@wwu.edu
