The Campaign

“Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those others that have been.” —Winston Churchill

VOTE Count yourself in. Register to vote and learn how to make it count » VOLUNTEER Democracy is about making a difference in your community, too. Find volunteer opportunities » LEAD Screen a film, hold a discussion, plan a leadership summit for youth in your community and more. Organize an event »

You live in a democracy, but how often do you think about what democracy is? What can Americans learn from emerging democracies around the world? Do U.S. citizens have a responsibility to uphold the democratic system at home?

VOTE DEMOCRACY! encourages everyone—particularly young Americans and new voters—to get involved in the democratic process. Since September 2007, ITVS, in partnership with leading community-based organizations, has spearheaded a series of town halls, voter registration events, online video talkback and public screenings of films from the 2007-2008 season of Independent Lens—all designed to help citizens think more deeply about their place in America's grand experiment. Highlights have included a town hall in Oakland on the electoral process hosted by NPR’s Richard Gonzales and an exclusive screening and discussion of IRON LADIES OF LIBERIA at The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

VOTE DEMOCRACY! continues through the 2008 presidential election with summer screenings and events hosted by PBS stations across the country, a national tour of the third campaign film in the fall and new opportunities to express what you really think in the Speak Up section of this Web site.

Get more out of your democracy. Join the campaign.

Download the Campaign Overview (PDF, 1,894K) >>

• Engage young people and new voters in reflection, discussion, critical thinking and problem solving around increasing civic participation in communities across America
  
  
• Support the work of local, regional and national organizations that promote civic engagement by providing media and education tools and resources
  
  
• Generate a national conversation on the idea of democracy—what it means to live and participate in a democracy and what we can do to support democracy at home and abroad
  
  
• Provide opportunities to sustain conversations catalyzed by the films and move audiences from dialogue to action on important issues
  
  
• Drive new, young, diverse audiences to the national PBS broadcasts while disseminating resources to these same target groups
  
  
• Emphasize the positive, creative contributions young people are making by developing local partnerships with civic engagement organizations that work with young people to make a difference in their communities

• National and local partner organizations to provide expertise on voter engagement and outreach and other resources, and to advise the campaign on strategies and messaging to properly engage target constituencies
  
  
• Partnerships with public television stations nationwide, including ITVS Station Outreach Grants to fund local campaign projects and collaborations in ten key markets
  
  
• A national training conference call and Webinar with ITVS, key PBS stations, national campaign partners and other experts
  
  
• Professionally developed campaign materials, including educational and discussion guides, fact sheets, campaign toolkit, and other resources aimed at extending campaign activities beyond the broadcast
  
  
• More than 125 ITVS Community Cinema events in markets across the country, along with numerous screenings, workshops, and other events produced by public television stations and local partner organizations
  
  
• A dynamic campaign Web site featuring fresh new content, downloadable resources for partners, stations and viewers alike, as well as community generated content
  
  
• A multi-faceted public relations and marketing effort, including nationwide media outreach, electronic and urban grassroots marketing and more

Read about VOTE DEMOCRACY! national partner organizations >>

For more information, and to get involved in this national effort, please contact Chris Holbrook, National Campaign Coordinator, 415-646-5939.